2007 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 341. BOXING COMMISSION

341.01 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.02 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.03 [Repealed, 1975 c 136 s 77]

341.04 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.045 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.05 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.06 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.07 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.08 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.09 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.10 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.11 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.115 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.12 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.13 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.14 [Repealed, 1975 c 136 s 77]

341.15 [Repealed, 1999 c 223 art 2 s 80 para (c)]

341.21 DEFINITIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Applicability. The definitions in this section apply to this chapter.
    Subd. 2. Boxing. "Boxing" means the act of attack and defense with the fists, using padded
gloves, that is practiced as a sport under the rules of the Association of Boxing Commissions, or
equivalent. Where applicable, boxing includes tough person contests.
    Subd. 3. Commission. "Commission" means the Minnesota Boxing Commission.
    Subd. 4. Contest. "Contest" means any boxing contest, match, or exhibition.
    Subd. 5. Professional. "Professional" means any person who competes for any money prize
or a prize that exceeds the value of $50 or teaches, pursues, or assists in the practice of boxing as
a means of obtaining a livelihood or pecuniary gain.
    Subd. 6. Director. "Director" means the executive director of the commission.
    Subd. 7. Tough person contest. "Tough person contest," including contests marketed as
tough man and tough woman contests, means any boxing match consisting of one-minute rounds
between two or more persons who use their hands, or their feet, or both, in any manner. Tough
person contest does not include kick boxing or any recognized martial arts competition.
    Subd. 8. Mixed martial arts. "Mixed martial arts" means any combination of boxing, kick
boxing, wrestling, grappling, or other recognized martial arts.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 13; 2007 c 135 art 3 s 30

341.22 BOXING COMMISSION.
    There is hereby created the Minnesota Boxing Commission consisting of nine members who
are citizens of this state. The members must be appointed by the governor. One member of the
commission must be a retired judge of the Minnesota district court, Minnesota Court of Appeals,
Minnesota Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, or the
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and at least three members must have knowledge of the boxing
industry. At least four members must have knowledge of the mixed martial arts industry. The
governor shall make serious efforts to appoint qualified women to serve on the commission.
Membership terms, compensation of members, removal of members, the filling of membership
vacancies, and fiscal year and reporting requirements must be as provided in sections 214.07 to
214.09. The provision of staff, administrative services, and office space; the review and processing
of complaints; the setting of fees; and other provisions relating to commission operations must
be as provided in chapter 214. The purpose of the commission is to protect health, promote
safety, and ensure fair events.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 14; 2007 c 135 art 3 s 31

341.23 LIMITATIONS.
No member of the Boxing Commission may directly or indirectly promote a boxing contest,
directly or indirectly engage in the managing of a boxer, or have an interest in any manner in
the proceeds from a boxing contest.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 15

341.24 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
The governor may appoint, and at pleasure remove, an executive director and prescribe the
powers and duties of the office. The executive director shall not be a member of the commission.
The commission may employ personnel necessary to the performance of its duties.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 16

341.25 RULES.
    (a) The commission may adopt rules that include standards for the physical examination
and condition of boxers and referees.
    (b) The commission may adopt other rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this
chapter, including, but not limited to, the conduct of boxing exhibitions, bouts, and fights, and
their manner, supervision, time, and place.
    (c) The commission must adopt unified rules for mixed martial arts.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 17; 2007 c 135 art 3 s 32

341.26 MEETINGS.
The commission shall hold a regular meeting quarterly and may hold special meetings.
Except as otherwise provided in law, all meetings of the commission must be open to the public
and reasonable notice of the meetings must be given under chapter 13D.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 18

341.27 COMMISSION DUTIES.
    The commission shall:
    (1) issue, deny, renew, suspend, or revoke licenses;
    (2) make and maintain records of its acts and proceedings including the issuance, denial,
renewal, suspension, or revocation of licenses;
    (3) keep public records of the commission open to inspection at all reasonable times;
    (4) assist the director in the development of rules to be implemented under this chapter;
    (5) conform to the rules adopted under this chapter; and
    (6) develop policies and procedures for regulating mixed martial arts.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 19; 2007 c 135 art 3 s 33

341.28 REGULATION OF BOXING CONTESTS.
    Subdivision 1. Regulatory authority; boxing. All professional boxing contests are subject
to this chapter. Every contestant in a boxing contest shall wear padded gloves that weigh at least
eight ounces. The commission shall, for every boxing contest:
(1) direct a commission member to be present; and
(2) direct the attending commission member to make a written report of the contest.
All boxing contests within this state must be conducted according to the requirements of
this chapter.
    Subd. 2. Regulatory authority; tough person contests. All tough person contests, including
amateur tough person contests, are subject to this chapter. All tough person contests are subject
to American Boxing Commission (ABC) rules. Every contestant in a tough person contest shall
have a physical examination prior to their bouts. Every contestant in a tough person contest
shall wear padded gloves that weigh at least 12 ounces. All tough person bouts are limited to
two-minute rounds and a maximum of four total rounds. Officials at tough person bouts shall be
licensed under this chapter.
    Subd. 3. Regulatory authority; similar sporting events. All mixed martial arts, ultimate
fight contests, and similar sporting events are subject to this chapter.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 20; 2007 c 135 art 3 s 34,35

341.29 JURISDICTION OF COMMISSION.
The commission shall:
(1) have sole direction, supervision, regulation, control, and jurisdiction over all boxing
contests and tough person contests held within this state unless a contest is exempt from the
application of this chapter under federal law;
(2) have sole control, authority, and jurisdiction over all licenses required by this chapter; and
(3) grant a license to an applicant if, in the judgment of the commission, the financial
responsibility, experience, character, and general fitness of the applicant are consistent with the
public interest, convenience, or necessity and the best interests of boxing and conforms with this
chapter and the commission's rules.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 21

341.30 LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS.
    Subdivision 1. Licensure; individuals. All referees, judges, matchmakers, promoters,
trainers, ring announcers, timekeepers, ringside physicians, boxers, boxers' managers, and boxers'
seconds are required to be licensed by the commission. The commission shall not permit any of
these persons to participate in the holding or conduct of any boxing contest unless the commission
has first issued the person a license.
    Subd. 2. Entity licensure. Before participating in the holding or conduct of any boxing
contest, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other business entity organized
and existing under law, its officers and directors, and any person holding 25 percent or more of the
ownership of the corporation shall obtain a license from the commission and must be authorized
to do business under the laws of this state.
    Subd. 3. Background investigation. The commission may require referees, judges,
matchmakers, promoters, and boxers to furnish fingerprints and background information under
commission rules before licensure. The commission shall charge a fee for receiving fingerprints
and background information in an amount determined by the commission. The commission
may require referees, judges, matchmakers, promoters, and boxers to furnish fingerprints and
background information before license renewal. The fee may include a reasonable charge for
expenses incurred by the commission or the Department of Public Safety. For this purpose, the
commission and the Department of Public Safety may enter into an interagency agreement.
    Subd. 4. Prelicensure requirements. (a) Before the commission issues a license to a
promoter, matchmaker, corporation, or other business entity, the applicant shall:
(1) provide the commission with a copy of any agreement between a contestant and the
applicant that binds the applicant to pay the contestant a certain fixed fee or percentage of the
gate receipts;
(2) show on the application the owner or owners of the applicant entity and the percentage of
interest held by each owner holding a 25 percent or more interest in the applicant;
(3) provide the commission with a copy of the latest financial statement of the entity; and
(4) provide the commission with a copy or other proof acceptable to the commission of the
insurance contract or policy required by this chapter.
(b) Before the commission issues a license to a promoter, the applicant shall deposit with
the commission a cash bond or surety bond in an amount set by the commission. The bond shall
be executed in favor of this state and shall be conditioned on the faithful performance by the
promoter of the promoter's obligations under this chapter and the rules adopted under it.
(c) Before the commission issues a license to a boxer, the applicant shall submit to the
commission the results of a current medical examination on forms furnished or approved by
the commission. The medical examination must include an ophthalmological and neurological
examination. The ophthalmological examination must be designed to detect any retinal defects
or other damage or condition of the eye that could be aggravated by boxing. The neurological
examination must include an electroencephalogram or medically superior test if the boxer has
been knocked unconscious in a previous boxing or other athletic competition. The commission
may also order an electroencephalogram or other appropriate neurological or physical
examination before any contest, match, or exhibition if it determines that the examination is
desirable to protect the health of the boxer.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 22

341.31 SIMULCAST LICENSES.
The commission shall issue a license to a person or organization holding, showing, or
exhibiting a simultaneous telecast of any live, current, or spontaneous boxing or sparring match
on a closed circuit telecast or subscription television program viewed within the state, whether
originating in this state or elsewhere, and for which a charge is made. Each person or organization
shall apply for such a license in advance of each showing. No showing may be licensed unless the
person or organization applying for the license:
(1) certifies that the match is subject to the jurisdiction and regulation of a boxing or athletic
regulatory authority in another state or country;
(2) certifies the match is in compliance with the requirements of the authority;
(3) identifies the authority; and
(4) provides any information the commission may require.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 23

341.32 LICENSE FEES; EXPIRATION; RENEWAL.
    Subdivision 1. Annual licensure. The commission may establish and issue annual licenses
subject to the collection of advance fees by the commission for promoters, matchmakers,
managers, judges, referees, ring announcers, ringside physicians, timekeepers, boxers, boxers'
trainers, boxers' seconds, business entities filing for a license to participate in the holding of any
boxing contest, and officers, directors, or other persons affiliated with the business entity.
    Subd. 2. Expiration and renewal. A license issued after July 1, 2007, is valid for one
year from the date it is issued and may be renewed by filing an application for renewal with the
commission and payment of the license fee. An application for a license and renewal of a license
must be on a form provided by the commission. There is a 30-day grace period during which a
license may be renewed if a late filing penalty fee equal to the license fee is submitted with the
regular license fee. A licensee that files late shall not conduct any activity regulated by this chapter
until the commission has renewed the license. If the licensee fails to apply to the commission
within the 30-day grace period, the licensee must apply for a new license under subdivision 1.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 24; 2007 c 135 art 3 s 36

341.321 FEE SCHEDULE.
    (a) The fee schedule for licenses issued by the Minnesota Boxing Commission is as follows:
    (1) referees, $45 for each initial license and each renewal;
    (2) promoters, $400 for each initial license and each renewal;
    (3) judges and knockdown judges, $45 for each initial license and each renewal;
    (4) trainers, $45 for each initial license and each renewal;
    (5) ring announcers, $45 for each initial license and each renewal;
    (6) boxers' seconds, $45 for each initial license and each renewal;
    (7) timekeepers, $45 for each initial license and each renewal;
    (8) boxers, $45 for each initial license and each renewal;
    (9) managers, $45 for each initial license and each renewal; and
    (10) ringside physicians, $45 for each initial license and each renewal.
    (b) The commission shall establish and assess an event fee for each sporting event. The event
fee is set at a minimum of $1,500 per event or a percentage of the ticket sales as determined by
the commission when the sporting event is scheduled.
    (c) All fees collected by the Minnesota Boxing Commission must be deposited in the Boxing
Commission account in the special revenue fund.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 25; 2007 c 135 art 3 s 37

341.33 PHYSICAL EXAMINATION REQUIRED; FEES.
    Subdivision 1. Examination by physician. All boxers and referees must be examined by a
physician licensed by this state within three hours before entering the ring, and the examining
physician shall immediately file with the commission a written report of the examination. The
physician's examination shall report on the condition of the boxer's heart and general physical
and neurological condition. The physician's report may record the condition of the boxer's
nervous system and brain as required by the commission. The physician may prohibit the boxer
from entering the ring if, in the physician's professional opinion, it is in the best interest of the
boxer's health. The cost of the examination is payable by the person or entity conducting the
contest or exhibition.
    Subd. 2. Attendance of physician. A person holding or sponsoring a boxing contest shall
have in attendance a physician licensed by this state. The commission may establish a schedule of
fees to be paid to each attending physician by the person holding or sponsoring the contest.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 26

341.34 INSURANCE.
    Subdivision 1. Required insurance. The commission shall:
(1) require insurance coverage for a boxer to provide for medical, surgical, and hospital care
for injuries sustained in the ring in an amount of at least $20,000 and payable to the boxer as
beneficiary; and
(2) require life insurance for a boxer in the amount of at least $20,000 payable in case of
accidental death resulting from injuries sustained in the ring.
    Subd. 2. Payment for insurance. The cost of the insurance required by this section is
payable by the promoter.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 27

341.35 PENALTIES FOR NONLICENSED EXHIBITIONS.
Any person or persons who send or cause to be sent, published, or otherwise made known,
any challenge to fight what is commonly known as a prize fight, or engage in any public boxing
or sparring match or contest, with or without gloves, for any prize, reward, or compensation, or
for which any admission fee is charged directly or indirectly, or go into training preparatory for
the fight, exhibition, or contest, or act as a trainer, aider, abettor, backer, umpire, referee, second,
surgeon, assistant, or attendant at the fight, exhibition, or contest, or in any preparation for same,
and any owner or lessee of any ground, building, or structure of any kind permitting the same
to be used for any fight, exhibition, or contest, is guilty of a misdemeanor unless a license for
the holding of the fight, exhibition, or contest has been issued by the commission in compliance
with the rules adopted by it.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 28

341.37 APPROPRIATION.
A Boxing Commission account is created in the special revenue fund. Money in the account
is annually appropriated to the Boxing Commission for the purposes of conducting its statutory
responsibilities and obligations.
History: 2006 c 282 art 11 s 29