N.M. Admin. Code § 15.6.5.8

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 21, November 5, 2024

Section 15.6.5.8 - MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION OF CONTESTANTS REQUIRED

A. All unarmed combatants/contestants shall submit to a uniform pre-bout medical examination performed by a New Mexico licensed physician approved by the commission within 24 hours prior to entering the ring in the scheduled match or exhibition. All unarmed combatants/contestants shall submit the required medical records no later than 96 hours before a scheduled event. It shall be the duty of the licensed promoter to ensure compliance with this rule. All deadlines in this rule relate back to the date of the scheduled match or exhibition.

(1)The documents required as part of the pre-bout medical examination include:

(a) negative blood test results, obtained not later than six months prior to the event, for:

(i) HIV;

(ii) hepatitis B, surface antigen (SA);

(iii) hepatitis C antibody;

(b)Dilated eye exam result: Professional contestants must submit the results of a dilated eye exam performed by an ophthalmologist, optometrist or qualified physician no more than one year prior to any competition.

(c)Proof of compliance with any medical restrictions: The commission requires proof of compliance with any previous medical restrictions imposed by another commission before medical approval for a bout.

(2)Female unarmed combatants: All female unarmed combatants must provide a negative pregnancy test within 24 hours to each event, contest, or exhibition. The pregnancy test shall be taken within those 24 hours to the event, contest, or exhibition.

(3) The commission or ringside physician may order an electrocardiogram, MRI or MRI/MRA examination when a contestant has either:

(a) lost three or more bouts in a row by KO or TKO;

(b) lost six bouts in a row; or

(c) had an extensive losing record in the last two years; MRI or MRI/MRA examination results will be accepted if conducted within five years, when:

(i) neurological clearance is needed for a pre-fight examination;

(ii) an unarmed combatant is competing in a five round title fight; or

(iii) a contestant is 35 years old or older.

B.Certification of fitness

(1) Immediately following the examination, the physician shall file with the commission a written report of the results of the examination on a form prescribed by the commission. The physician shall certify as to the physical fitness of each contestant scheduled to participate in the match or exhibition and deliver the completed examination report to the commission's representative; the completed examination report will be made available to the promoter of the match or exhibition before the commencement of the event.

(2) The promoter of the match or exhibition shall prohibit any unarmed combatant from entering the ring unless he has been certified by the examining physician to be physically fit to engage in the match or exhibition.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any physician to certify falsely to the physical condition of any contestant in a professional boxing or sparring match or martial arts exhibition.

C.Participation in non-commission sanctioned events: Any unarmed combatant who participates in a non-commission sanctioned event in another jurisdiction must submit to a new array of blood tests, described in Paragraph (1) of this rule, unless the unarmed combatant can prove to the commission that the non-commission sanctioned event required all combatants to submit to pre-bout blood testing in a manner similar to the commission. Violation of this rule could result in a fine, license suspension, or license revocation.

D.Disqualifying conditions/ailments:

(1) The commission will not issue or renew the license of any applicant who wishes to compete in any sport regulated by the commission and who has suffered from any type of cerebral hemorrhage.

(2) If an applicant for a contestant license has suffered a serious head injury, including but not limited to concussions, the applicant must have the application reviewed by the commission before any license is issued or renewed.

E.Cost of the medical examination: The cost of any physical examination shall be prescribed by a schedule of fees established by the commission.

(1) The cost of any medical examinations of event contestants shall be paid directly to the commission by the promoter of the event.

(2) The physician will be paid directly by the promoter in accordance with the fees established by rule by the commission.

N.M. Admin. Code § 15.6.5.8

15.6.5.8 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002; A, 08-26-2012, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXV, Issue 24, December 30, 2014, eff. 1/15/2015, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVII, Issue 24, December 30, 2016, eff. 1/15/2017