For current rules, please see Chapter 0145: http://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0145/0145.htm RULES OF THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE DIVISION OF REGULATORY BOARDS CHAPTER 0780-5-1 PROFESSIONAL BOXING TABLE OF CONTENTS 0780-5-1-.01 Definitions 0780-5-1-.19 Knockdown and Knockout 0780-5-1-.02 Applicability 0780-5-1-.20 Technical Knockout 0780-5-1-.03 Advance Notice of Bout 0780-5-1-.21 No Contest 0780-5-1-.04 Licensing 0780-5-1-.22 Drugs and Stimulants 0780-5-1-.05 Temporary Permits 0780-5-1-.23 Treatments or Hospitalization 0780-5-1-.06 Ring 0780-5-1-.24 Repealed 0780-5-1-.07 Bell 0780-5-1-.25 Time Limitations 0780-5-1-.08 Bandages 0780-5-1-.26 Responsibilities of Promoter 0780-5-1-.09 Gloves 0780-5-1-.27 Resolution of Disputes 0780-5-1-.10 Protective Equipment 0780-5-1-.28 Contracts 0780-5-1-.11 Shoes 0780-5-1-.29 Financial Interest in Contestants 0780-5-1-.12 Weights 0780-5-1-.30 Emergency Medical Services 0780-5-1-.13 Weigh-in 0780-5-1-.31 Female Boxing 0780-5-1-.14 Seconds 0780-5-1-.32 Foul Related Injuries 0780-5-1-.15 Referee 0780-5-1-.33 Boxer Identification Card 0780-5-1-.16 Timekeeper 0780-5-1-.34 Federal Standards 0780-5-1-.17 Scoring 0780-5-1-.35 Civil Penalties 0780-5-1-.18 Ring Officials Generally 0780-5-1-.01 DEFINITIONS. (1) As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Director shall mean the commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, or his/her designee. (b) Bout shall mean any boxing or sparring match or exhibition which is deemed to be “professional” under T.C.A. §68-50-201. (c) Physician shall mean a physician who is licensed to practice medicine in the State of Tennessee. Authority: T.C.A. §68-50-207 and Section 8, Chapter 727, Public Acts of 1980. Administrative History: Original rule filed December 1, 1980; effective January 15, 1981. Amendment filed June 22, 1984; effective July 22, 1984. Amendment filed June 11, 1986; effective July 11, 1986. Amendment filed August 31, 1990; effective November 28, 1990. 0780-5-1-.02 APPLICABILITY. (1) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all bouts held or scheduled to be held in the state of Tennessee; provided, however, that the Director may modify or waive any such provision: (a) in cases of undue hardship, demonstrable impracticality, or necessity; or (b) for the purpose of gaining the sanction of a bout by a recognized boxing association, council, or organization. May, 2005 (Revised) 1 PROFESSIONAL BOXING CHAPTER 0780-5-1 (Rule 0780-5-1-.02, continued) (c) When such provisions are contrary to, or inconsistent with, any published and recognized rules of any kickboxing sanctioning body; however, there shall be no waiver of rule 780-5-1-.25 TIME LIMITATIONS. (2) The Director shall not modify or waive any rule if the health, safety, or welfare of a contestant in bout would thereby be jeopardized. Authority: T.C.A. §68-50-207 and Section 8, Chapter 727, Public Acts of 1980. Administrative History: Original rule filed December 1, 1980; effective January 15, 1981. Amendment filed June 22, 1984; effective July 22, 1984. Amendment filed August 31, 1990; effective November 28, 1990. 0780-5-1-.03 ADVANCE NOTICE OF BOUT. (1) At least fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled holding of any bout in this state, the promoter shall file with the Director a notice containing the following information: (a) the name and location of the building where the bout is to be held; and (b) the names, addresses, and contracted weights of the prospective contestants, and the names and addresses of the prospective ring officials. (2) The promoter shall immediately notify the Director of any change in the information submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) above. (3) If the Director determines (on the basis of available information) that a proposed bout would not be reasonably and fairly competitive, he shall so advise the promoter within four (4) days after receipt of the notice submitted in accordance with this rule. Unless the Director is offered evidence or argument which causes him to reverse his determination, such bout shall not be held in this state. (4) The Director may, in the interest of maximum fairness and effectiveness, require the promoter to make reasonable changes in the assignment of ring officials for any bout. Authority: T.C.A. §68-50-207 Section 8, Chapter 727, Public Acts of 1980. Administrative History: Original rule filed December 1, 1980; effective January 15, 1981. Amendment filed June 22, 1984; Effective July 22, 1984. Amendment filed August 31, 1990; effective November 28, 1990. 0780-5-1-.04 LICENSING. (1) Except as provided in rule 0780-5-1-.05, no person, firm, or corporation shall promote any bout, or participate in any bout as a boxer, manager, second, referee, judge, or timekeeper without a valid license issued by the Director. (2) Applications for licenses shall be submitted on the forms prescribed by the Director. The applicant shall completely and truthfully respond to all questions or requests for information propounded on, or in connection with, the application. The Director may require any applicant to demonstrate his competence by submission of references or successful completion of a written or oral examination. (a) Applicants for a manager’s license shall also provide the Director, through references, evidence of boxing experience, or boxing industry experience as a manager. Applicants may receive reciprocity upon a showing proof of licensure in another state, provided that such state has licensing criteria equal to or greater than in this state and affords reciprocity to licenses from this state. May, 2005 (Revised) 2 PROFESSIONAL BOXING CHAPTER 0780-5-1 (Rule 0780-5-1-.04, continued) (b) Managers, seconds, referees, and judges shall submit to a written or oral examination administered by the Director. This requirement shall not apply to anyone receiving a license prior to the effective date of these rules, provided that such license is current and remains current by renewal. (c) A boxer shall pass an oral examination by the ringside physician or the Director on site and shall demonstrate experience by showing: 1. professional boxing experience; 2. amateur boxing experience of at least ten (10) bouts which may include toughman contest experience acceptable to the Director; or 3. training under an established trainer/manager of a quality and for a length of time satisfactory to the Director. (d) The Director may refuse to grant a license to anyone who has been suspended or revoked in another state. (3) Applications for new licenses or the renewal of existing licenses shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee as follows: Promoter $100.00 Boxer $50.00 Manager $30.00 Second $20.00 Referee $80.00 Judge $30.00 Timekeeper $30.00 Such fee shall not be prorated for any portion of a year. Every license shall expire two (2) years following the date of issuance. (4) No license issued by the Director under this chapter shall be transferable. (5) In order to obtain a license or the renewal of a license, all boxers must submit to a thorough medical examination by a physician licensed to practice medicine in any state. The examination shall include, but need not be limited to, a complete history of the applicant and any or all of the following laboratory procedures at the discretion of such physician: x-ray, skull x-ray, flat abdominal x-ray, electrocardiogram, complete blood count including bleeding and coagulation time, urine and blood screen for drugs, serological examination for syphilis, neurological and psychiatric examination, and any other test or survey which might be indicated by the past record or present condition of the applicant. (6) No person shall be permitted to compete in a bout unless he: (a) is at least eighteen (18) years of age; and (b) furnishes satisfactory identification (including photograph) to the Director. (7) Effective July 1, 1983, no promoter’s license shall be issued or renewed unless the applicant presents: May, 2005 (Revised) 3 PROFESSIONAL BOXING CHAPTER 0780-5-1 (Rule 0780-5-1-.04, continued) (a) A good and sufficient surety bond executed to the state of Tennessee in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00), or (b) An irrevocable Letter of Credit in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) issued by a financial institution authorized to conduct business in this state which shall provide that the Director shall be permitted to draw against said Letter on behalf of any boxer entitled to payment therefrom. 1. Such bond or Letter of Credit shall be conditioned that the applicant will perform all contractual obligations to boxers incurred in connection with the promotion of any bout in this state and shall be in full force and effect during the duration the license period. 2. Any boxer seeking compensation by reason of a violation of the condition of any such bond may maintain an action in his own name on the bond without assignment thereof. 3. Any boxer seeking compensation by reasons of any claimed default in the terms and conditions of contractual obligations shall submit same to the Director who shall determine the promoter’s liability for the purpose of drawing against a Letter of Credit. 4. In no event shall the aggregate liability of the surety or financial institution in any license period exceed the sum of the bond or Letter of Credit. Authority: T.C.A. §§68-50-207(a) and 68-115-207.