Ala. Admin. Code r. 165-X-8-.06

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

Section 165-X-8-.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 an even number of sides and not less than sixteen feet (16') or more than thirty-two feet (32') 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.

(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.

(i) Scratch Marks. Ring Canvases must have two

(2) parallel lines on the canvas no less than three (3) feet in length and each eighteen inches (18") from the center of the mat.

(d) Platform Height. The ring platform shall not be less than thirty-six inches (36") or 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 Bare-Knuckle 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 no fewer than 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.

1. Fencing. Alternatively, the fighting area shall be enclosed by fencing with two (2) separate openings and appropriate padding. Said fencing shall be no less than sixty inches (60") in height.

(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) All Other Fighting Surfaces may be approved by the Chief Inspector, if such a surface is unique to the promotion and meets the Commission's standards for safety.

(5) Bell.

(a) The bell shall be provided by the promoter and 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.

(7) Ring Equipment.

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

(8) 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 promoter.

2. The scale used for the weigh-in shall 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 shall 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 shall 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 time 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.

(9) Hand Wrapping: Gauze and Tape. Hands may be wrapped with gauze and tape that ends no closer than one (1) inch from the fighter's knuckles. The wrap must include the wrist and may travel up to three inches past the junction of the wrist bone.

(a) Gauze may be applied to the wrist, palm of the hand, back of the hand and thumb. The length of gauze to be utilized may not exceed a length of fifteen (15) feet per hand.

(b) Tape may be applied to the wrist, palm of the hand, back of the hand and thumb. The tape shall not be greater than one inch in width and shall not exceed ten (10) feet in length per hand.

(c) Each bandage of the contestant shall be applied in the presence an inspector.

(d) Each hand wrapping placed on a contestant shall be examined and approved by an inspector. Each approved hand wrap shall be initialed by the inspector who examined it. The opponent or their representative may be present.

(e) Either contestant may witness the bandage and hand wrapping of the contestant. A contestant may waive the witnessing the bandaging or hand wrapping of the opponent's hands.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 165-X-8-.06

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVIII, Issue No. 05, February 28, 2020, eff. 4/13/2020.

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

Authors: Dr. John Marshall, Joel R. Blankenship, Larry Bright, Stan Frierson, Shane Sears

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