Ala. Admin. Code r. 165-X-4-.01.01

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 10, July 31, 2024

Section 165-X-4-.01.01 - Medical Requirements

(1) Pre-fight Examination.

(a) At the time of weigh-in, or at such other time as is then announced, all contestants must pass a pre-fight medical examination and a commission designated physician must complete a Pre-fight Medical Examination Form. The examining physician shall deliver all Pre-fight Examination Forms to the Athletic Commission or to its authorized representative immediately after the weigh-in.

1. Each female contestant, during the pre-fight physical, will be required to submit to a pregnancy test administered under the direction of the examining physician, or such physician's authorized assistant.

2. Female contestants submitting written documentation acceptable to the examining physician may be waived from the pre-fight physical pregnancy test requirement. Such documentation shall be limited to:

(i) a copy of a lab report from a recognized clinical laboratory and dated within ten days of the pre-fight physical attesting that the contestant is not pregnant, or

(ii) a statement from a state licensed physician, on such physician's letterhead stationary, stating that the contestant is medically improbable of bearing children.

(b) Whenever a contestant's examination indicates that he or she is unfit for competition, because of any weakness or disability discovered by the physician, an immediate report of such evidence must be made to the promoter and to the Athletic Commission. In such case, the contestant shall be prohibited from participating in the contest or exhibition.

(c) Any contestant who fails his or her pre-fight physical for medical reasons or for lack of general conditioning shall be placed on immediate medical suspension and reported to the boxing registry.

(3) Hydration Testing. At the official weigh-in, all contestants' hydration shall be tested using digital fiber optic refractometers.

(3) Additional Medical Examinations. Upon recommendation of the examining physician or the medical advisory panel, the Athletic Commission may require a contestant to undergo additional medical examinations performed by a state licensed physician to determine the contestant's medical fitness to compete.

(4) Boxers who have competed in over 200 professional rounds. Boxers who have competed in over 200 rounds during their professional career, according to the number of rounds disclosed on the boxer's official ring record, will be placed on immediate medical suspension. A boxer shall not be placed on immediate medical suspension without completing any fight in which he accumulates 200 professional rounds.

(a) A boxer who has competed in 200 professional rounds that intends to continue to fight professionally must undergo a neurological examination by a board certified and state licensed neurologist. The examination shall include a careful examination for signs of any trauma induced neurological damage along with any other specific test or tests requested by the neurologist. (May consider the following: A Neurologist Screening Form must be completed and returned to the Athletic Commission along with a request for reinstatement, thirty (30) days prior to competing in a boxing contest or exhibition.)

(b) A boxer who has competed in 200 professional rounds that intends to continue to fight professionally must undergo an ophthalmological examination by a board certified and state licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. The examination shall include a careful, dilated examination of the retinal periphery utilizing indirect ophthalmoscope sufficient to identify any sign of previous trauma or retinal damage along with any other specific test or tests requested by said optometrist or ophthalmologist. (May consider the following: An Ophthalmological Screening Form must be completed and returned to the Athletic Commission along with a request for reinstatement, thirty (30) days prior to competing in a boxing contest or exhibition.)

(c) The commission shall require re-examinations submitted pursuant to sub-paragraphs (a) of this rule after each successive 50 professional rounds after the previous submission, as disclosed on such boxer's official ring record.

(5) Minimum Visual Acuity.

(a) The minimum uncorrected visual acuity to be able to box in Alabama is set at 20/ 200 in both eyes. Any person who applies for a license or renewal of license to compete as a professional boxer shall be required to present evidence of their visual acuity.

(6) Before Contest: Illness or Injury. A contestant who is under contract to compete on an announced card, and who, because of illness or injury, becomes unable to compete in the contest, must immediately report the illness or injury to the promoter and the Athletic Commission. When a contestant or a contestant's manager reports an injury or illness that prevents the contestant from participating in a match or exhibition, the Athletic Commission shall, require the contestant to submit to a medical examination conducted by a commission designated physician to determine the contestant's fitness to participate in the contest or exhibition.

(7) Medical Suspensions by Other Commissions. Medical suspensions by other boxing commissions recognized by the Association of Boxing Commissions and which are published by any boxing registry approved for such purposes by the Association of Boxing Commissions shall be recognized by the commission. A boxer who is under medical suspension in another state shall submit to any medical examination listed in this chapter as requested by the Athletic Commission prior to competing in a contest or exhibition in this state.

(8) Drugs Prohibited. The administration or use of any drugs, alcohol, stimulants, or injections in any part of the contestant's body either prior to or during a match is prohibited unless such drugs are administered by a physician and with the approval of the commission. The commission may order a licensee to undergo a drug screening at any time. A Drug Screen Form must be completed by an approved laboratory and submitted to the Athletic Commission within seven days of the order.

(9) Post Contest Inactive Period. No contestant shall be permitted to engage in another contest or exhibition in this state for a period of seven (7) days after competing in a contest or exhibition.

(10) Head Injury. Any contestant who suffers a knock out, concussion, or other serious head injury, should be examined by the ringside physician. The physician shall immediately report to the Athletic Commission or commission representative, the condition of such contestant and whether or not additional medical attention is advised.

(11) Knock Out and Technical Knock Out.

(a) When a contestant is defeated by knock out, that boxer's license shall be placed on an immediate sixty (60) day medical suspension. Upon a contestant's second defeat by knock out, that boxer's license shall be placed on an immediate sixty (60) day medical suspension and the boxer shall submit to a medical examination. A Post-knock out Examination Form shall be completed by a physician and submitted to the Athletic Commission along with request for reinstatement thirty (30) days prior to participating in a contest or exhibition in this state. Any boxer losing by knock out in two or more consecutive fights shall be placed on immediate medical suspension for a period of 6 months.

(b) Unless otherwise ordered by the attending ringside physician, there shall be a minimum 30 day medical suspension after a technical knockout.

1. Technical knock outs caused by a severe cut shall result in either a 45 day or 60 day medical suspension.

(12) Under-Conditioned Fighter. A contestant deemed under-conditioned by the referee, Athletic Commission or any designated representative of the commission, shall be suspended for 90 days.

(a) If it should be determined by the referee or any member of the commission present or any designated representative of the commission present that a contestant did not give a good faith effort to display their skills they shall be subject to disciplinary action.

(b) A disqualified contestant may be disciplined by the Athletic Commission.

(13) Consecutive Losses.

(a) A boxer who has lost 6 consecutive fights, according to the boxers official ring record compiled and maintained by the boxing registry, shall be summarily suspended. Suspension will be listed as "Indefinite Pending Hearing."

(b) A boxer who has lost 3 consecutive fights by knock-out, technical knock-out, or disqualification, according to the boxer's official ring record compiled and maintained by the boxing registry, shall be summarily suspended pending a hearing by the Athletic Commission. Suspension will be listed as "Indefinite Pending Hearing."

1. Any boxer whose history of poor performance is evidenced by subparagraphs (a) and/or (b), above, shall not be approved to compete against any other boxer, except another contestant who has a similar history of poor performance in the same weight class.

(14) Verification of Contestant Experience

(a) The trainer or manager for a contestant that meets the following criteria shall submit an affidavit that the contestant is prepared for a professional contest:

1. Contestant is making his pro debut

2. Contestant has not competed in the last 12 months

3. Contestant has lost his or her last 6 consecutive events

4. Contestant has lost three consecutive events by TKO, KO or DQ

(15) General Responsibilities and Provisions. During the performance of any promotion it shall be the promoter's responsibility to ensure the compliance with all laws and rules governing professional boxing in Alabama. Such responsibilities shall include, but will not be limited to the following:

(a) Medical Insurance. The promoter shall provide for the participants insurance covering ambulance services, medical, surgical and hospital care with a minimum limit of $20,000 for injuries sustained while participating in said program and for a $20,000 death benefit awarded to the estate of any Contestant should death occur from injuries received while participating in the contest or exhibition.

(b) Ambulance Service. The promoter shall provide continuous ambulance service with a state-certified EMT attendant, who shall provide a resuscitator, stretcher, backboard, oxygen and such other medical equipment reasonably expected for immediate trauma care, and who shall be present before the start of each contest and shall remain on site until the end of the program.

1. For the purposes of this section, a program of boxing begins with the commencement of the first contest or exhibition and ends when the last contestant leaves the site of the program.

2. The chief referee and/or the commission appointed supervisor shall meet with the EMT prior to the beginning of the match, contest, or exhibition. During such meeting the commission supervisor will instruct the EMT concerning the match, contest, or exhibition, placement of the stretcher and any other information necessary to ensure prompt and appropriate immediate care.

3. An ambulance shall be able and available to immediately transport any severely injured Contestant to an appropriate medical facility. No other scheduled contest or exhibition may proceed until there is an ambulance and EMT at the facility, that has met with the chief referee and/or the commission appointed supervisor as proscribed in subparagraph (2), above.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 165-X-4-.01.01

New Rule: Filed July 19, 2010; effective August 20, 2010.

Authors: J. Matt Bledsoe, Casey C. Sears

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 41-9-1033.