Last revision April
1st, 1999
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Texas Boxing Act
Texas Civil Statutes, Article 8501-1
The TDLR Enabling Statute- Article 9100
Table of Contents
ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 2. ELIMINATION TOURNAMENTS
Section 15. General Provisions
Section 16. Elimination Tournament Boxing Promoter's Responsibilities
Section 17. Elimination Tournament Ringside Physician's
Responsibilities
Section 18. Proof of Negative Pregnancy Test Required
Section 19.Weight Categories
Section 20. Ring Requirements
ARTICLE 2. ELIMINATION TOURNAMENTS.
Section 15. General Provisions. (Effective September 1, 1995 by Acts of the 74th Legislature)
(a) An elimination tournament may only be held as a one-night or two-night event.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection
(c) of this section, an elimination tournament contestant may not participate in more
than one match during the first night of a two-night elimination tournament.
(c) An elimination tournament contestant in a championship
tournament may not participate in more than two matches during the first night of a
two-night championship tournament.
(d) Subject to the medical restrictions of Section 17 of
this Act, an elimination tournament contestant may fight any number of matches on the
second night of a two-night elimination tournament.
(e) Except as provided by Subsection (f) of this section,
the elimination tournament boxing promoter may allow an elimination tournament contestant
who failed to win a match during the first night of a two-night elimination tournament to
compete during the second night.
(f) An elimination tournament contestant who is knocked out
during an elimination tournament may not continue to compete in an elimination tournament.
(g) The standing-eight-count and the three-knock-down rules apply to an elimination
tournament.
(h) A match in an elimination tournament consists of three rounds with each round
lasting 60 seconds. There must be a minimum interval of 60 seconds between each round of a
match.
(i) Each elimination tournament contestant must be matched randomly with an opponent
from the same weight category during the preliminary round of an elimination tournament.
Section 16. Elimination Tournament Boxing Promoter's
Responsibilities. (Effective September 1, 1995 by Acts
of the 74th Legislature)
(a) In addition to any other responsibilities, an elimination tournament boxing
promoter shall require that each elimination tournament contestant:
(1) use 16-ounce gloves;
(2) wear the following protective gear supplied by the elimination tournament boxing
promoter:
(A) headgear approved by the department, except as
provided by Subsection (b) of this section;
(B) a mouthpiece; and
(C) a groin guard or kidney-groin guard approved by the department;
(3) have no professional boxing experience;
(4) have, in the last five years, five or fewer boxing match wins recognized by an
amateur boxing organization recognized under department rules for this specific purpose;
(5) submit proof of proper training, including a written description of the elimination
tournament contestant's training program for the 28 days before the date of the beginning
of the first bout of the elimination tournament; and
(6) be a person who is 18 years of age or older but younger than 36 years of age.
(b) A local, regional, or championship elimination tournament is
not subject to Subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section
if an elimination tournament boxing promoter notifies, under the rules of the department,
the commissioner of the decision not to use approved headgear.
(c) An elimination tournament boxing promoter shall provide a ringside physician for an
elimination tournament.
Section 17. Elimination Tournament Ringside Physician's
Responsibilities. (Effective September 1, 1995 by Acts
of the 74th Legislature)
The ringside physician at an elimination tournament shall:
(1) perform, at the location of the tournament, a complete medical examination of each
elimination tournament contestant before the tournament begins;
(2) offer solutions to the elimination tournament boxing promoter and each elimination
tournament contestant regarding boxing-related medical problems;
(3) remain at ringside at all times during a scheduled match of an elimination
tournament;
(4) examine each elimination tournament contestant between each bout;
(5) perform a complete physical examination of each elimination tournament contestant
remaining in an elimination tournament immediately before the second night of a two-night
elimination tournament; and
(6) notify the elimination tournament boxing promoter immediately after disqualifying
an elimination tournament contestant.
Section 18. Proof of Negative Pregnancy Test Required. (Effective September 1, 1995 by Acts of the 74th Legislature)
A female elimination tournament contestant may not participate in an elimination
tournament unless she provides the ringside physician with proof of a negative result
pregnancy test.
Section 19. Weight Categories. (Effective September 1, 1995 by Acts of the 74th Legislature)
(a) An elimination tournament contestant may not compete in a weight category other
than a category provided in this section.
(b) The weight categories for an elimination tournament are:
(1) less than 112 pounds;
(2) 112 pounds or more but less than 119 pounds;
(3) 119 pounds or more but less than 127 pounds;
(4) 127 pounds or more but less than 136 pounds;
(5) 136 pounds or more but less than 148 pounds;
(6) 148 pounds or more but less than 161 pounds;
(7) 161 pounds or more but less than 176 pounds;
(8) 176 pounds or more but less than 190 pounds; and
(9) 190 pounds or more.
(c) An elimination tournament contestant whose weight is within three percent of the
minimum weight of the next heavier weight category may compete in that heavier weight
category.
Section 20. Ring Requirements. (Effective September 1, 1995 by Acts of the 74th Legislature)
(a) Competition in an elimination tournament shall take place in a square ring with
sides not less than 16 feet in length and not more than 24 feet in length.
(b) The floor of the ring must be 3/4-inch thick and must be padded with one-inch thick
closed-cell foam material.
Article
1. General Provisions