Ala. Admin. Code r. 165-X-1-.06

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 165-X-1-.06 - Ring And Equipment

(1) General Provisions.

(a) Any dimension in this rule, where the unit of measurement is "inches," shall be considered only as a general and approximate guideline. Where such dimension guidelines are exceeded, the Commission appointed supervisor shall have the authority to allow or disallow any such variance from the established guideline.

(2) The Ring.

(a) Ring Size. The ring must be a square and not less than sixteen feet (16') or more than twenty feet (20') on a side within the ropes. The ring platform (floor) must extend beyond the ropes at least eighteen inches (18") on all sides (apron).

1. A ring size greater than twenty feet (20') on a side within the ropes shall only be allowed after unanimous agreement of all the boxers contracted to appear on the show.

For purposes of the subparagraph, the term "all boxers" shall be limited to those boxers contracted to compete in bouts of eight (8) rounds or more.

(b) Safety Padding. The ring floor shall be padded with one-inch (1") thick slow recovery foam matting, or other soft material approved by the Commission or its authorized representative, and shall extend over the edge of the ring platform with a top covering of canvas, duck or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the ring platform. Padding material that tends to gather in lumps may not be used.

(c) Ring Mat. The mat and covering shall be kept clean and free from disagreeable odors at all times. The corners must be covered by a pad long enough to cover all the rope joints.

(d) Platform Height. The ring platform shall not be more than fifty-four inches (54") from the floor of the building and shall be provided with suitable steps for use by the contestants.

(e) Ringside Tables. Each promoter shall be responsible for employing a safety plan to protect boxers who might fall outside of elevated rings. Except where deemed impractical, the floor of those sides not so protected shall be covered with protective matting.

(f) Ring Posts. Ring posts shall be made of some strong material, preferably metal pipe, three inches (3") in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a height of at least fifty-eight inches (58") above the ring floor.

(g) Ring Certification. Rings uses in professional boxing matches in Alabama must be certified by the chief referee and/or the Commission representative in attendance at the show.

1. Any ring judged unsafe by the chief referee and/or the Commission representative or not otherwise meeting basic standards as defined in Commission rules, or which is deemed by the chief referee or Commission representative to be improperly stabilized will not be certified.

2. Failure to obtain certification will result in immediate and summary suspension of the match permit.

(3) Ring Ropes.

(a) Rope Dimensions. Ring ropes shall be four (4) in number, at least one inch (1") in diameter, the lower rope eighteen inches (18") above the ring floor and the top rope fifty-two inches (52") from the ring floor. The two remaining ropes will be evenly spread between the top and bottom ropes. All four ropes shall be wrapped in soft material.

(b) Rope Lanyards. Each ring rope on each side of the ring shall be connected with two (2) rope lanyards.

(c) Rope Lighting. The ring shall be amply illuminated by the overhead lights, which shall be so arranged that shadow shall be eliminated and discomfort from heat and glare minimized for persons in and near the rings.

(4) Bell.

(a) The bell shall be approved by the Commission and it shall be of sufficient size to enable its sound to be heard by both contestants and the referee.

(5) Ring Equipment.

(a) The promoter shall provide a sufficient number of water buckets for the use of all contestants. Each bucket shall be disinfected before being used. Additionally, the promoter shall provide, stools, and such other articles as are required for the conduct of each bout.

(6) Scales.

(a) Scales shall be furnished by the promoter. The Commission may require that the scales be certified. Residential bathroom scales of the type generally used in private residences will not meet certification requirements of the Commission and will not be allowed for use at any weigh-in.

(b) Weigh-Ins for Championship and Televised Events.

1. The scale used for the official weigh-in shall be provided by the producer.

2. The scale used for the weigh-in may upon the request of the Commission be an NTEP Certified Scale, which shall be registered with the Alabama Department of Agriculture, Weight and Measure Division.

3. The scale used for the official weigh-n may upon the request of the Commission be certified as being accurate, on the morning of the weigh-in. by the State of Alabama, Department of Agriculture, Weight and Measures Staff.

4. Documentation verifying the scales accuracy may be upon request of the Commission be submitted to the Executive Director no later than noon (12p) on the due date of the weigh-in is to occur.

5. No one shall be allowed on the scale once it is certified, until the Chief Inspector is present.

6. If a scale is moved after certifications, it shall be recertified before any further weigh-ins can be performed on that scale.

7. once certified, the promoter shall have a security member watch the scale until the tine of weigh-in, to avoid tampering.

8. A "Ceremonial" scale may be used during a Ceremonial Weigh-In. The Ceremonial Scale shall not be used to record official weights and are strictly to be used for ceremonial purpose.

(7) Hand Wrapping: Gauze and Tape.

(a) Contestants desiring to stabilize the metacarpal bones may use no more than six inches (6") of adhesive tape, not more than two inches (2") in width, across the back of each hand, provided however that the Commission inspector or representative must sign each piece of tape prior to placing gauze over such tape.

(b) Stabilization tape may not extend beyond a line one inch on the posterior side of the knuckle.

(c) Gauze shall be of soft surgical-type gauze not more than two inches (2") in width, held in place by surgeon's tape for each hand. All contestants will have their hands wrapped in the dressing room [or some other suitable place in the general vicinity of the dressing room] under the examination of a representative from the Commission. Whenever requested by any party, hand wrapping shall take place only in the presence of one or more representatives from the opposing contestant's camp.

(1) In all weight classes, the bandages on each hand shall be restricted to soft gauze cloth not more than 13 yards (13 yds.) in length and two inches (2") in width, held in place by not more than 10 feet (10') of surgeon's tape, one inch (1") in width, for each hand. Any Commission inspector or representative must sign each hand prior to placing a glove on the hand.

(d) Under no condition will any adhesive tape be allowed to extend a position within one inch (1") of the posterior line of knuckles; provided however, that a thin "butterfly" of tape between the fingers will be allowed to stabilize the placement of gauze.

(e) Stacking the process of layering on top of the boxer's wrapped hand additional layers of gauze and tape is prohibited.

(8) Gloves.

(a) Weight Allowed In Bout. Unless otherwise approved by the Commission, contestants in all weight categories up to and including welterweights (up to 147 pounds) shall use 8-ounce (8 oz.) gloves. In heavier classes, 10-ounce (10oz.) gloves must be worn.

(b) Brand-Name Certification Required. The commission is authorized to certify boxing gloved by brand-name or manufacturer and gloves not so certified may not be used. Each promoter desiring to use for the first time in Alabama a brand of gloves or gloves manufactured by a company not previously certified for use in Alabama are advised to seek prior certification.

(c) Glove Condition. Gloves may not be broken or twisted, nor may the padding be misplaced or lumpy.

(d) Glove Approval. Gloves shall be examined by the referee and/or the Commission representative prior to the start of the matches. In certain instances, the Commission may require more than one pair of gloves be sent for the bouts, matches, and exhibitions.

(e) Glove Style. Only gloves of the "thumb-attached" or thumbless variety will be used, and all gloves must be laced with the knot on the top [or exterior] side of the wrist. Thumbless gloves may be worn only if both boxers in a particular match agree.

(f) New Gloves: Main Event Bouts. The promoter shall furnish new gloves for all events of 8 or more rounds.

(g) Skinning of Gloves. "Skinning" (the practice of tying gloves in such a manner as to force a portion of the padding back from the fist area to over the contestant's wrist) is prohibited. Any glove tied in such a manner will be required to be re-tied.

(h) Taping of Gloves. Unless otherwise permitted by the Commission appointed supervisor, glove laces shall not be covered by tape except under the direct supervision of a commission approved inspector or official.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 165-X-1-.06

New Rule: Filed December 27, 2013; effective January 31, 2014.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 09, June 29, 2018, eff. 8/4/2018.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XL, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2022, eff. 10/15/2022.

Authors: J. Matt Bledsoe, Brandon Owens, Casey Sears

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 41-9-1024.