Chapter 444

CHAPTER 444

REGULATION OF UNARMED COMBAT SPORTS

444.01   Definitions.

444.02   Licenses and permits.

444.03   Application for license; fee.

444.035   Bond.

444.04   Promoter and club reports.

444.05   Amateur boxing contests.

444.06   Inspectors.

444.09   Conduct of boxing contests regulated.

444.095   Conduct of unarmed combat sports contests regulated.

444.10   Physician to examine professional boxing contestants.

444.11   Licenses to matchmakers, referees, contestants, etc.

444.12   Referee to stop contest.

444.13   Sham contests, license revoked.

444.14   Sham contests; contestants penalized; forfeitures; hearing.

444.15   Reports; examination of books and officers.

444.16   Violation, when a misdemeanor.

444.18   Insurance on certain contestants.

444.19   Fee adjustments by rule.

444.22   Rules.

Ch. 444 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See definitions in s. 440.01.

Ch. 444 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. SPS 192 Wis. adm. code.

444.01 444.01 Definitions. In this chapter:

444.01(1) (1) “Amateur boxing contest” means a boxing contest or exhibition in which none of the boxers are compensated for participating in the contest or exhibition.

444.01(1g) (1g) “Amateur unarmed combat sports contest” means a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat sports in which none of the contestants are compensated for participating in the contest or exhibition.

444.01(1h) (1h) “Boxing” means the act of attack and defense with the fists, using padded gloves, that is practiced as a sport under the rules described under s. 444.05, or other, comparable rules.

444.01(1j) (1j) “Mixed martial arts fighting” means fighting that involves the use of a combination of techniques from different disciplines of martial arts, including grappling, kicking, and striking.

444.01(1m) (1m) “Physician” means a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery under s. 448.04 (1) (a).

444.01(2) (2) “Professional boxing contest” means a boxing contest or exhibition in which one or more of the boxers is compensated for participating in the contest or exhibition.

444.01(3) (3) “Professional contest” means a professional boxing contest or a professional unarmed combat sports contest.

444.01(4) (4) “Professional unarmed combat sports contest” means a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat sports in which one or more of the contestants is compensated for participating in the contest or exhibition.

444.01(5) (5) “Unarmed combat sports” means any form of fighting in which the objective is for a contestant to injure, disable, or incapacitate one’s opponent, but does not include any fighting in a contest for which the rules prohibit a contestant from striking an opponent’s head.

444.01 History History: 2003 a. 285; 2009 a. 111; 2011 a. 260 s. 80; 2015 a. 277.

444.02 444.02 Licenses and permits.

444.02(1) (1) The department shall have the sole direction, management, and control of, and jurisdiction over, all professional contests and all amateur unarmed combat sports contests conducted within the state by any promoter or club. No club or promoter may conduct professional contests or amateur unarmed combat sports contests within the state except under authority granted by the department and in accordance with this chapter and the rules of the department.

444.02(2) (2) The department may issue, and for cause limit, suspend, or revoke, a license to conduct professional contests or amateur unarmed combat sports contests to any promoter or incorporated club formed as provided in this chapter. Every license shall be subject to the department’s rules and regulations. The department may limit the number of professional contests and amateur unarmed combat sports contests given by any promoter or club in any city, village, or town and may reprimand a promoter or club for violating this chapter or any rule of the department.

444.02(3) (3) No professional contest or amateur unarmed combat sports contest may be conducted by any licensed club without a permit from the department. An application for a permit shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable $300 processing fee. Every permit shall be conditioned on payment by the promoter or club to the department, within 2 business days after the event for which the permit was issued, of the following fees:

444.02(3)(a) (a) If the number of tickets sold for the event is less than 2,000, an event fee of $450.

444.02(3)(b) (b) If the number of tickets sold for the event is less than 5,000 but more than 1,999, an event fee of $2,200 plus a gate fee equal to the lesser of 5 percent of the total amount collected by the club or promoter in gross ticket sales or $4,000.

444.02(3)(c) (c) If the number of tickets sold for the event is 5,000 or more, an event fee of $4,700 plus a gate fee equal to the lesser of 5 percent of the total amount collected by the club or promoter in gross ticket sales or $12,500.

444.02 History History: 1977 c. 418, 447; 1979 c. 221 s. 2200 (45); 1979 c. 355; 1993 a. 246; 2003 a. 285; 2009 a. 111; 2015 a. 277.

444.02 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. SPS 192 Wis. adm. code.

444.03 444.03 Application for license; fee. No professional contest or amateur unarmed combat sports contest may be conducted by any promoter or club except by license granted to it by the department. An application for a license shall be in writing, addressed to the department, and verified by the promoter or by an officer of the club. An application shall be accompanied by an annual fee of $500. The application must show that the promoter or club has entered into a valid agreement for the use of the building, amphitheater, or stadium in which contests are to be held.

444.03 History History: 1979 c. 221 s. 2200 (45); 1981 c. 20; 1987 a. 399; 1991 a. 189; 1993 a. 246; 2003 a. 285; 2009 a. 111; 2015 a. 277.

444.03 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. SPS 192 Wis. adm. code.

444.035 444.035 Bond. The department shall by rule require a promoter or club conducting a professional contest or amateur unarmed combat sports contest to post a bond or other surety in a reasonable amount determined by the department to ensure payment of the promoter’s or club’s expenses in conducting the contest, including payments to contestants and to the department.

444.035 History History: 2009 a. 111; 2015 a. 277.

444.035 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. SPS 192 Wis. adm. code.

444.04 444.04 Promoter and club reports. Within 2 business days after a promoter or club holds a professional contest or amateur unarmed combat sports contest, the club shall furnish to the department a written report, verified by the promoter or by one of the club’s officers under penalty of perjury, showing the number of tickets sold for the contest, the amount of gross proceeds, and all other information the department requires by rule to be included in the report. The department may limit, suspend, revoke, or assess a forfeiture to the promoter or club for failure to comply with this section or failure to provide accurate information to the department. Any forfeiture collected under this section shall be deposited in the appropriation account under s. 20.165 (1) (jm).

444.04 History History: 1973 c. 28; 1977 c. 29; 1979 c. 221 s. 2200 (45); 1987 a. 399; 1991 a. 183; 2003 a. 285; 2009 a. 111; 2015 a. 277.

444.05 444.05 Amateur boxing contests. A person may conduct an amateur boxing contest in this state only if the contest is sanctioned by and conducted under the rules of the national governing body for amateur boxing that is recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee under 36 USC 220521.

444.05 History History: 1979 c. 162; 1979 c. 221 s. 2200 (45); 2003 a. 285.

444.06 444.06 Inspectors. The department shall appoint official inspectors, each of whom shall receive a card authorizing the inspector to act wherever the department designates. The department may be, and at least one inspector shall be present at all professional contests and all amateur unarmed combat sports contests and see that the rules are strictly observed. Inspectors shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The department may require a promoter or club to pay the cost of designating additional inspectors, who may include a referee or judge performing the duties of an inspector, for an event. The department may require a promoter or club to pay the department an amount not to exceed $250 for each additional inspector designated by the department.

444.06 History History: 1971 c. 40; 1975 c. 39, 199; 1977 c. 29; 1979 c. 221 s. 2200 (45); 1979 c. 355; 2003 a. 285; 2009 a. 111; 2015 a. 277.

444.06 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. SPS 192 Wis. adm. code.

444.09 444.09 Conduct of boxing contests regulated.

444.09(1) (1) No professional boxing contest shall be for more than 12 rounds, and no round shall last more than 3 minutes.