Maryland State Athletic Commission s3

MARYLAND STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION

MINUTES - THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2009

The Thursday, August 20, 2009 meeting of the Maryland State Athletic Commission was called to order at 2:22 p.m.. Present were: Chairman David J. Norman; Commissioner Arnold “Arnie” Dansicker; Commissioner Lenny Moore; Patrick Pannella, Executive Director; Bruce C. Spizler, Senior Assistant Attorney General; and Michelle Martin, Administrative Assistant.

CANCELLATION / APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL BOXING EVENTS

Executive Director Pannella led a Commission discussion in regard to the following professional boxing events scheduled to be held in the State of Maryland.

Mr. Pannella advised that promoter Murray “Jake” Smith, of Baltimore Pro Boxing, notified the Commission that the “pro-am” boxing event scheduled to be held on September 11, 2009 at the Clarence “Du” Burns Arena in Baltimore has been cancelled.

Upon a motion by Commissioner Dansicker, seconded by Chairman Norman, the Commission voted unanimously (3-0) to approve the following professional boxing event, to be held outdoors:

Professional Boxing Event Friday, October 9, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. (Raindate: Saturday, October 10, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.) Arthur W. Perdue Stadium (Delmarva Shorebirds) - Salisbury, MD Promoter: Prize Fight Promotions, LLC.

APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL MMA EVENT

Executive Director Pannella led a Commission discussion in regard to professional mixed martial arts (MMA) events scheduled to be held in the State of Maryland.

1 Upon a motion by Commissioner Dansicker, seconded by Commissioner Moore, the Commission voted unanimously (3-0) to approve the following professional MMA event:

Professional MMA Event Wednesday, November 4, 2009 - 8:00 p.m. Michael’s Eighth Avenue - Glen Burnie, Maryland Promoter: Michael J. Wagner / Ballroom Battleground.

CANCELLATION / APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING EVENTS

Executive Director Pannella led a Commission discussion in regard to the following professional wrestling events scheduled to be held in the State of Maryland.

Mr. Pannella stated that promoter James “Jim” Hardwick, of the Eastern Wrestling Alliance (EWA), notified the Commission that the professional wrestling event scheduled to be held on August 29, 2009 at the Tall Cedars Hall in Parkville has been cancelled.

Upon a motion by Commissioner Dansicker, seconded by Commissioner Moore, the Commission voted unanimously (3-0) to approve the following professional wrestling events:

1. Professional Wrestling Event Saturday, October 3, 2009 - 12:00 noon JD Byrider Auto Sales - Glen Burnie, Maryland Promoter: James “Jim” Hardwick / Eastern Wrestling Alliance (EWA);

2. Professional Wrestling Event Sunday, October 11, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. North Point Flea Market - Dundalk, Maryland Promoter: Richard “Dick” Caricofe / Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW);

2 3. Professional Wrestling Event Friday, November 6, 2009 - 8:00 p.m. The New Green Room - Dundalk, Maryland Promoter: Richard “Dick” Caricofe / Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW);

4. Professional Wrestling Event Saturday, November 7, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. The New Green Room - Dundalk, Maryland Promoter: Richard “Dick” Caricofe / Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW);

5. Professional Wrestling Event Saturday, December 26, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. The New Green Room - Dundalk, Maryland Promoter: Richard “Dick” Caricofe / Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW); and

6. Professional Wrestling Event Saturday, March 6, 2010 - 7:30 p.m. Clarence “Du” Burns Arena - Baltimore, Maryland Promoter: Bradley Vance / Real Championship Wrestling (RCW).

2009 ABC CONFERENCE

Senior Assistant Attorney General Spizler presented a review of the 2009 Annual Conference of the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) which was held from July 28 - August 1, 2009 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. Spizler, who serves as the Chairman of the ABC Legal Committee, attended the conference, as did John W. Stiller, M.D., the Commission’s Chief Physician, and Executive Director Pannella, who serves as an ABC Regional Director. Mr. Spizler, noting that the conference included informative presentations and discussions of both boxing and MMA matters, reported:

The ABC conducted an election of new officers to serve two-year terms, with the following individuals being elected by the ABC membership in attendance to the

3 following positions: Tim Lueckenhoff, President; Jim Erickson, First Vice President; Greg Sirb, Second Vice President; Buddy Embanato, Treasurer; and Joe Miller, Secretary.

The ABC voted on two amendments to the ABC Constitution. The first proposed amendment, which involved the incorporation of mixed martial arts (MMA) into the ABC Constitution, passed. The second proposed amendment, which would place term limits on the office of ABC President, failed.

Mr. Spizler noted that among the topics discussed were:

 The signing of a contract designating Mixed Martial Arts, LLC as the official record keeper for the ABC and a clarification of issues pertaining to the maintenance of MMA contestants’ records by Mixed Martial Arts, LLC

 The presentation of “Unified Rules for Mixed Martial Arts” by the ABC MMA Unified Rules Committee

 Code of Conduct guidelines for the ABC membership to consider when regulating sanctioned events

 An overview and demonstration of Medlic (www.mymedlic.com), a centralized medical records data base for the sports of boxing, kickboxing and MMA

 An overview and demonstration of Ringside Medical, Inc. (www.ringsidemedical.com), a comprehensive medical data bank for the sports of boxing and MMA, created by the American Association of Boxing Commissions (AAPRP) in conjunction with South Jersey Healthcare

 The various important factors to consider when approving professional boxing contests.

Dr. Stiller made a presentation regarding “Neurological Considerations in Matchmaking from A Ringside Physician’s Perspective”.

4 Executive Director Pannella joined in presenting “Guidelines for Boxing Matchmaking” as a member of the ABC committee designated to address this topic.

Mr. Spizler provided a report of the ABC Legal Committee covering the prior one- year period.

Mr. Spizler provided an update on the pending Federal boxing legislation which, among other things, provides for a United States Boxing Commission.

STATE OF VIRGINIA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Executive Director Pannella reported that he and Commission boxing judge Don Risher attended a certification program on August 15, 2009 for boxing judges and referees, MMA judges and referees, boxing inspectors and MMA inspectors which was conducted by the State of Virginia Boxing and Wrestling Commission and held in the State of Virginia. Mr. Pannella explained that he was invited to attend the meeting as an observer by his counterpart in Virginia, David Holland. Mr. Pannella noted that the program was very educational and was conducted very professionally.

SITE VISIT - AUGUST 27, 2009 PROFESSIONAL BOXING EVENT

Executive Director Pannella reported that on August 27, 2009 he will be conducting a site visit of Hager Hall in Hagerstown, Maryland, which will be the site for the professional boxing event promoted by Michael J. Wagner of Ballroom Boxing and scheduled to be held on the evening of August 27, 2009. Mr. Pannella noted that the meeting will also be attended by the promoter’s representative, matchmaker and director of security, as well as a representative of Hager Hall.

NORTH AMERICAN GRAPPLING ASSOCIATION (NAGA)

Senior Assistant Attorney General Spizler and Executive Director Pannella provided the Commission with the following report in regard to the desire of the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) to govern and supervise amateur “grappling” contests in the State of Maryland. A NAGA representative defined grappling as being “wrestling” with submission techniques incorporated into the

5 sport. NAGA provided the Commission with background information describing its governing of amateur grappling tournaments in more than 15 states in the last two years. Mr. Pannella and Mr. Spizler both opined that NAGA is a “nationally recognized” amateur wrestling organization. Mr. Spizler explained that, per Maryland law, amateur boxing, kickboxing, or wrestling conducted under the supervision of a nationally recognized amateur organization is exempted from Commission jurisdiction.

Chairman Norman opined that grappling is indeed wrestling and, as such, is exempted from Commission regulation provided that the activity is conducted under the supervision of a nationally recognized amateur organization.

Upon a motion by Chairman Norman, and seconded by Commissioner Dansicker, the Commission voted unanimously (3-0) to recognize the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) as a nationally recognized amateur wrestling organization authorized to supervise amateur wrestling contests, including amateur grappling contests, in the State of Maryland.

WOMAA MARTIAL ARTS GAMES X

Executive Director Pannella reported that the Commission is currently conducting an investigation regarding whether relevant portions of the World Organization of Martial Arts Athletes (WOMAA) Martial Arts Games X, scheduled to be held on August 21 - 23, 2009 at the Ocean City Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland, would be prohibited under Maryland law or would be exempted from Commission jurisdiction under Maryland law. Mr. Pannella noted that this tournament will include “grappling” and “free-style jujitsu” segments.

The Commission directed Mr. Pannella to prepare and send written correspondence to WOMAA containing the following information. In accordance with Maryland law, the only sport variances of martial arts which will be permitted to occur during the WOMAA Martial Arts Games X in Ocean City, Maryland are martial arts where: 1. contact to the body is permitted in only a restrained manner; 2. contact to the head is not permitted; and 3. no contact is permitted that may result, or is intended to result, in physical harm to an opponent. Any deviation from these statutory provisions would be prohibited and would subject individuals who are violating these statutory provisions to criminal sanction.

6 REVIEW OF JULY 25, 2009 PRO-AM BOXING EVENT

Executive Director Pannella led a review of the July 25, 2009 “pro-am” boxing show which was promoted by Murray “Jake” Smith of Baltimore Pro Boxing and held at the Clarence “Du” Burns Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Pannella noted that the boxing show included five professional boxing bouts encompassing 30 scheduled rounds of professional boxing, as well as five amateur boxing bouts encompassing nine scheduled rounds of amateur boxing sanctioning by the South Atlantic Association of USA Boxing, Inc..

NEXT COMMISSION MEETING

Executive Director Pannella announced that the next Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the Third Floor Conference Room, 500 North Calvert Street in Baltimore.

ADJOURNMENT

Upon a motion by Commissioner Dansicker, seconded by Commissioner Moore, the Commission voted unanimously (3-0) to adjourn the meeting at 4:26 p.m..

Patrick Pannella Executive Director