DATE: February 15, 2001
SUBJECT: Professional Boxer’s Bill of Rights
TO: All ABC Members
FROM: Gregory P. Sirb, President, Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC)
In an on-going effort to educate all parties involved in the professional boxing industry the ABC along with NAAG are proud to present the professional Boxer’s Bill of Rights.
All boxing commissions and other boxing personnel should make an effort to have this document distributed to all boxers (including amateurs). This document is not intended to be a complete description of the rules and regulations as it pertains to boxers. It is intended to give the boxers a clear and concise understanding of what their rights are under the federal laws and what questions they may what to ask or what concerns they may have before or after a boxing event.
The idea is to help boxers become more educated, especially about the two federal laws that have been passed. In this regard I do think this document is a good first step in the boxer’s education process.
Association of Boxing Commissions
Uniformity – Professionalism – Consistency
The Association of Boxing Commissions and the National Association of Attorneys General “Boxing Task Force”
PRESENT
The Professional Boxers “Bill of Rights”
1. You have the right to be treated in a professional manner and to be fully informed about all aspects of your sport.
2. You have the right to have all terms of any contract with a promoter or manager in writing.
3. You have the right to have all contracts read and explained to you, either by the local commission representative or anyone of your choosing (including an attorney).
4. Before any bout you have a right to know your opponents name, their record, the weight class of the bout, the number of rounds of the bout, and the amount of your purse, including any travel or training expenses. To check on any boxers record, including your own, contact (Fight Fax) at 856-782-8868.
5. You have a right to review, obtain and keep copies of any of your contracts.
6. You have a right to directly receive any and all payments from a bout as set forth in your bout agreement.
7. You have the right to receive a written, post bout accounting from either the promoter or your manager or both, which shows how the total amount of your purse was distributed. If you have any deductions taken from your purse you have the right to ask for a written accounting of what these deductions were, and why they were deducted from your purse.
8. You have a right to have a doctor at ringside at all times as well as emergency medical personnel and / or an ambulance present at the location at all times.
9. You have a right to have medical insurance to cover any injuries resulting from a bout and to know the name of the insurance company and the amount of coverage that is being provided.
10. You have the right to hire individuals of your choice to serve as your mangers, trainers or seconds. You are not required to hire any individual in order to obtain a bout.
11. You have a right to know why your ranking with any sanctioning body has changed and the reasons for this change. This may be done by writing to the organization and requesting why your ranking has been changed. The organization must respond to you, in writing, within (7) days.
12. You have a right to appeal any and all suspensions and to be informed on exactly why you were suspended and the length of your suspension. To check if you are on the National Suspension List just go onto the Internet at www.fightfax.com and click onto Boxing then onto the National Suspension List.
13. You have a right to contact you local commission or the Association of Boxing Commissions to report any violations, ask any questions or seek any advice.
** You as a Boxer should get a copy of and read the two federal boxing bills that detail many of your rights and responsibilities as a professional boxer.
These two bills are:
The Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and the Muhammad Ali Act of 2000.
