Wisconsin Legislature: SPS 192.37(7)

History: CR 17-016: cr. Register November 2017 No. 743, eff. 12-1-17.

SPS 192.34 Mouthpiece and headgear.

(1) All boxers shall wear a mouthpiece during competition. The round may not begin without the mouthpiece. If the mouthpiece is dislodged during competition, the referee shall call time and have the mouthpiece replaced at the first opportune moment, without interfering with the immediate action. The referee may deduct points or disqualify a contestant if the mouthpiece is repeatedly dislodged or it is judged the mouthpiece is being purposely spit out.

(2) Professional boxers, other than those participating in an exhibition bout, may not wear head gear. Boxers participating in an exhibition bout shall wear competition headgear weighing between 10 and 12 ounces that has been approved by USA Boxing, Incorporated or the commissioner or department representative. Headgear may include cheek protectors. Karate foam dipped style headgear, headgear with a jaw bar or face guard, and heavily padded training or sparring headgear are prohibited.

History: CR 17-016: cr. Register November 2017 No. 743, eff. 12-1-17.

SPS 192.35 Attire and appearance.

(1) Boxers shall box in proper dress including an approved foul-proof protection cup for a male boxer, trunks with a belt line below or at the waistline, shoes of soft material, without spikes, cleats or heels, and socks which may extend to within one inch below the knee. Trunks may not have metal of any kind.

(2) Male boxers may not wear a shirt or top.

(3) Female boxers may wear breast protectors and shall wear a short-sleeved or sleeveless form-fitting rash guard, a sports bra, or both. Padding for a sports bra shall be secured to the fabric of the bra. Loose fitting tops are prohibited.

(4) Boxers may not wear metal straps, buckles, necklaces, jewelry, or other objects.

(5) No piercing accessories are permitted.

(6) Boxers may use a small amount of VaselineÒ jelly or other petroleum jelly on the facial area. No other substances may be used on the head or any other part of the body.

(7) VaselineÒ jelly or other petroleum jelly may be applied in between rounds to address a cut, but may not be reapplied to the entire facial area.

(8) Boxers shall secure their hair with soft, non-abrasive material if the referee informs them that their hair interferes with their vision.

(9) Boxers may not wear any equipment that fails to receive approval from the inspector or department representative.

History: CR 17-016: cr. Register November 2017 No. 743, eff. 12-1-17.

SPS 192.36 Gloves.

(1) Gloves approved by the inspector prior to the contestants’ pre-bout rule meeting shall be worn by boxers in all bouts. Only thumbless or thumb-attached gloves shall be approved.

(2) Gloves shall weigh no less than 8 ounces each when worn by a boxer weighing under 140 pounds and not less than 10 ounces each when worn by a boxer weighing 140 pounds or more.

(3) Gloves shall be whole, clean and in sanitary condition. Breaking, roughing or twisting of gloves is prohibited. No foreign substances may be applied to gloves except for wrapping around the wrist area to safely secure the laces.

(4) The inspector shall be responsible for rejecting gloves that may pose a safety or health problem to the professional boxer.

History: CR 17-016: cr. Register November 2017 No. 743, eff. 12-1-17.

SPS 192.37 Preparation of hands.

(1) Boxers may wrap their hands with gauze and tape prior to a bout. Boxers choosing to not wrap hands prior to a bout shall notify the inspector or department representative.

(2) Boxers shall use soft gauze cloth not more than 15 yards in length and 2 inches in width for each hand, held in place by not more than 10 feet of surgeon’s tape one inch in width for each hand.

(3) No substances, liquid or material other than approved surgeon’s tape and gauze are allowed.

(4) The manager or chief second of the opponent may elect to be present when hands are being wrapped and gloves placed on a boxer.

(5) Gauze and surgeon’s tape shall be placed on the boxer’s hands in the dressing room in the presence of the inspector or department representative, who shall inspect and initial each legally wrapped hand.

(6) Surgeon’s tape shall be placed directly on each hand for protection near the wrist. The tape may not extend within an inch of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist.

(7) One strip of tape may be used between the fingers to hold down the bandages. Tape strips may be folded once, but braiding of tape strips is prohibited.

(8) Gloves shall be placed on a boxer’s hands in the dressing room in the presence of the inspector or department representative.

(9) The wrist portion of a boxer’s gloves shall be sealed with identifying red or blue duct tape and initialed by the inspector or department representative.

History: CR 17-016: cr. Register November 2017 No. 743, eff. 12-1-17.

SPS 192.38 Ring. All bouts shall be conducted in a ring which meets the following requirements:

(1) The ring shall be a square of not less than 16 nor more than 20 feet on a side within the ropes. The apron of the ring floor shall extend at least 18 inches beyond the ropes. The ring may not be more than 4 feet above the floor of the building or grounds of an outdoor arena and shall have 3 sets of suitable steps for the use of boxers, coaches, and officials, one in each boxer’s corner and one in a neutral corner or area for use by ringside physicians and referees.

(2) The ring shall be circumscribed with at least 4 ropes. Ropes may not be less than one inch in diameter. Ropes may not be made of metal. Ropes shall be wrapped securely with soft material. The lowest rope shall be 18 inches above the ring floor, the second rope 30 inches, the third rope 42 inches, and the fourth rope 54 inches above the ring floor. The ropes shall be secured with 2 spacer ties on each side of the ring. The ring floor shall be padded with a one-inch layer of padding of felt, rubber or other similar material, placed on a one-inch base of building board or similar supporting base. Padding shall be covered with canvas duck, or similar material tightly stretched and laced securely in place, preferably under the apron.

(3) Ring posts shall be at least 3 inches in diameter, extending from the floor to the height of 58 inches above the ring floor. Ropes shall be connected to posts with the extension not shorter than 18 inches. Turn-buckles shall be covered with a protective padding. Full-length vertical corner pads shall be secured in place.

History: CR 17-016: cr. Register November 2017 No. 743, eff. 12-1-17.

SPS 192.39 Corner equipment.

(1) At least one second who works in a boxer’s corner may have the following equipment:

(a) A bucket.

(b) Clean towels.

(d) Ice in a spill-proof sealed container.

(e) Water in clear plastic sealed containers.

(2) Seconds shall submit the bucket and corner equipment to the inspector or department representative for inspection and approval before a bout.

(3) In case of a cut, a boxer’s seconds may only make topical use of the following:

(a) A solution of adrenaline 1/1000.

(b) Avetine.

History: CR 17-016: cr. Register November 2017 No. 743, eff. 12-1-17.

SPS 192.40 Number of rounds in a bout.

(1) No bout involving female boxers may be scheduled for more than 10 rounds with each round lasting 2 minutes and with a one-minute rest between rounds.

(2) No bout involving male boxers may be scheduled for more than 15 rounds with each round lasting 3 minutes and with a one-minute rest between rounds.

History: CR 17-016: cr. Register November 2017 No. 743, eff. 12-1-17.

SPS 192.41 Consumables.

(1) Only water or an approved electrolyte-replacement beverage may be consumed during the bout. Electrolyte-replacement beverages include GatoradeÒ, PoweradeÒ, PropelÒ, and SmartwaterÒ. All consumables are subject to approval by the inspector or department representative.

(2) Beverages shall be brought to ring side unopened, sealed, and only in a plastic container. Unsealed beverages are prohibited.

(3) The inspector or department representative shall approve and sign off on any beverage.

(4) No stimulant beverages or beverages with caffeine, such as Red BullÒ and Rockstar, are allowed.

(5) The department reserves the right to inspect, test, or remove any beverage from ring side. The department may test any contestant that an inspector or department representative believes is in violation of this section.

(6) Any beverage that is tested and found to have been altered in a manner that has not been approved by the inspector or department representative shall result in the contestant being subject to disqualification and disciplinary action.

(7) Tobacco use is not permitted in the contestant’s locker room.

(8) Use of any energy stimulant in pill or other form is not permitted.

History: CR 17-016: cr. Register November 2017 No. 743, eff. 12-1-17.

Subchapter V — Conducting Mixed Martial Arts at Events

SPS 192.42 General provisions.

(1) Male and female contestants may not compete against each other in a bout.

(2) Each contestant shall present a completed medical examination report form containing the information in s. SPS 192.06 (2) (d) to the ringside physician at the pre-bout examination.

(3) All professional and amateur bouts shall be conducted under the supervision of the department.

(4) Only licensed participants or persons approved by the department may be allowed in the cage or designated locker rooms.

(5) Amateur contestants may not currently or have ever been a professional fighter in any combative sport. This includes mixed martial arts, boxing, karate, or any other form of a combative sport. Any contestant found in violation will be subject to disciplinary action.

(6) Debut amateur contestants shall complete a department-approved form detailing the contestant’s experience and training for mixed martial arts competitions. The trainer of the debut contestant shall certify that the contestant is skilled enough to compete and has never engaged in any form of unarmed combat as a professional.

Note: Forms are available from the Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Professional Credentialing, 1400 E. Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708, or from the department’s website at: http://dsps.wi.gov.

(7) Amateur contestants shall have a minimum of 5 recorded amateur bouts on the Association of Boxing Commissions’ national database prior to being permitted to compete as a professional contestant. The commissioner or department representative may waive this requirement.

(8) A bout in which more than 2 contestants participate is prohibited.

History: CR 17-016: cr. Register November 2017 No. 743, eff. 12-1-17.

SPS 192.43 Weigh-in procedures and weight classes.

(1) Professional and amateur contestants shall weigh in no more than 36 hours prior to the start time of the event in which they will compete. The weigh-in shall be conducted under the supervision of an inspector or department representative at a place designated by the promoter in an area with ample lighting to observe contestants and conduct the weigh-in.

(2) Contestants may wear a shirt, a pair of shorts, and socks at the weigh-in. Contestants may not wear any additional apparel or jewelry.

(3) The scale shall be provided by the promoter and approved by the inspector or department representative.

(4) Contestants may not participate in a bout where the weigh-in weight difference of opposing contestants exceeds the weight allowance shown in Table A. In this section, “weight allowance” means the difference in weight permitted between contestants in 2 different weight classes.

(5) After having communicated with the promoter, the commissioner or department representative shall have the sole discretion as to whether to cancel a bout if a contestant does not make weight.

(6) There may not be a difference of more than 3 pounds between weight classes from straw weight up to the bantamweight class for fighters competing in two different weight classes.

(7) There may not be a difference of more than 5 pounds between weight classes from featherweight up to the welterweight class for fighters competing in two different weight classes.

(8) There may not be a difference of more than 7 pounds between weight classes from middleweight up to the superheavyweight class for fighters competing in two different weight classes.

Example: A fighter weighing 134 pounds in the bantamweight class may not compete against an opponent who weighs more than 137 pounds in the featherweight class. A fighter weighing 184 pounds in the middleweight class may not compete against an opponent who weighs more than 191 pounds in the light heavyweight class.

(9) A one-pound weight variance is allowed for all weight classes for all bouts except title bouts and catch-weight bouts.

(10) A contestant in the welterweight class or lower may not lose more than 2 pounds within 1 hour. A contestant above the welterweight class may not lose more than 3 pounds within 1 hour.