Chapter 285: Boxing and Wrestling Commission

In this chapter:

I. "Commission" means the boxing and wrestling commission.

II. "Promoter" means any person, club, association or corporation sponsoring a fighting sports competition.

III. "Fighting sports" means professional boxing, and amateur and professional wrestling, mixed martial arts, kickboxing, or any other form of amateur or professional sport combat in which blows are struck that reasonably may be expected to inflict injury.

There is hereby established a boxing and wrestling commission which shall oversee amateur and professional fighting sports in the state.

I. The commission shall consist of 5 members appointed by the governor and council. Members appointed by the governor and council shall have had some experience in the fighting sports and shall be residents of the state. Members shall have no financial interest, direct or indirect, in professional fighting sports regulated by the commission.

II. A member may be removed by the governor and council only for cause in accordance with RSA 4:1.

I. Members shall serve 3 year terms and until their successors are appointed and qualified; provided that, for the initial appointments, one person shall be appointed to a one year term, one person shall be appointed to a 2 year term and one person shall be appointed to a 3 year term.

II. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired terms.

The commission shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to:

I. The conduct of amateur and professional fighting sports competitions;

II. Requirements and qualifications for licenses, permits and amateur cards for persons involved in fighting sports competitions;

III. The grounds for revocation or suspension of a license or permit, and the reinstatement of suspended licenses and permits;

IV. Promoters' bonds; and

V. Insurance coverage required by the commission.

All amateur fighting sports competitions shall be regulated by the commission, except those conducted by a school, college or university.

I. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the commission shall, in the conduct of all amateur boxing or sparring matches and exhibitions sanctioned by USA Boxing, Inc., acknowledge and follow the rules and regulations of USA Boxing, Inc.

II. The local boxing committee, New England Association of USA Boxing, Inc., shall certify and register all officials including, but not limited to, referees, judges, timekeepers, physicians, and clerks, pursuant to USA Boxing, Inc. rules and Public Law 95-606.

III. Certified officials shall be assigned by the commission to work amateur boxing competitions within the state of New Hampshire, and shall be overseen and under the direction of the commission.

IV. Members of the commission shall become members of USA Boxing, Inc. and take any certification courses or clinics, or both, offered by the New England Association of USA Boxing, Inc.

V. Neither the New England Association of USA Boxing, Inc. nor the commission shall have or exercise unilateral power or authority to waive, circumvent, or ignore any approved and existing rule, procedure, or policy of USA Boxing, Inc. Any circumstance not addressed by USA Boxing, Inc. rules, procedures, or policies shall be determined by the commission.

VI. The office of professional licensure and certification shall collect 5 percent of the gross receipts of paid admissions to all amateur bouts, as mandated by RSA 285:14.

I. No promoter shall arrange a professional fighting sports competition in the state without a permit from the office of professional licensure and certification. The fee for permits for each day of the event shall be established by the office in accordance with RSA 310:5. A different permit shall be required for each day of competitions.

II. The commission may require a promoter to produce evidence of having secured a surety bond in an amount deemed appropriate by the commission.

III. No promoter shall have, directly or indirectly, any financial interest in a person competing in a fighting sports competition arranged by the promoter.

No person shall participate in a professional fighting sports competition as a contestant, manager, referee, judge, second or timekeeper without a license from the office.

The commission may revoke or suspend any permit or license for cause.

I. The office may provide graduated fees for preliminary bouts, semifinal or main bouts, or all star competitions.

II. The office may issue to an amateur fighter an amateur card which shall be valid for 2 years.

III. The office, in its sole discretion, may waive fees for amateur fighting sports exhibitions to the extent that the proceeds are to be distributed for charitable purposes to organizations which are exempt from federal taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

I. Any promoter who sponsors a professional fighting sports competition under this chapter shall, within 72 hours after the competition file with the office a written report. The report shall include the number of tickets sold, the amount of gross receipts and other facts as the commission may require.

II. The promoter also shall, at the same time, pay to the office of professional licensure and certification by certified check a tax of 5 percent of the gross receipts of paid admissions after deduction of any federal taxes. Payments made pursuant to this section shall be deposited into a dedicated fund, which shall lapse annually at the close of each fiscal year to the general fund.

No person shall compete in professional fighting sports unless such person has been examined, not more than 24 hours before, by a physician licensed to practice under the laws of this state. The physician shall be in attendance throughout the competition for which the examination was made and shall certify in writing that the contestant is physically fit to engage in the contest. The fee shall be paid by the promoter of the fighting sports competition.

No person under the age of 18 years shall engage in any professional fighting sports competition.

The sole arbiter in the ring in all fighting sports, bouts or competitions shall be a licensed referee, who shall govern the bout or competition in accordance with rules adopted by the commission. The referee shall have full power to stop the bout or competition whenever the referee deems it advisable because of the physical condition of a contestant, when one of the contestants is clearly outclassed by an opponent, or for other sufficient reason. The referee shall have discretionary power to declare forfeited any prize, payment, or purse or any part of a prize, payment, or purse belonging to the contestants or to one of them if, in the referee's judgment, the contestant or contestants are not or were not competing in good faith.

A member of the commission is not required to be present at all fighting sports competitions. If a member of the commission is not present at a fighting sports competition held under this chapter, the commission shall appoint a deputy inspector who shall, for the duration of the contest, have the full duties and powers of a member of the commission. Deputy inspectors shall be entitled to compensation as the commission, with the approval of the executive director, may deem proper.

No permit shall be issued to conduct a professional fighting sports competition in any town or city until the town has authorized, by vote at an annual town meeting or a special meeting called for that purpose, or the city has authorized by ordinance, the holding of such competitions within the town or city.