I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4753
To provide for the safety of journeymen boxers, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JULY 13, 1994
Mr. TORRICELLI introduced the following bill; which was referred jointly to
the Committees on Education and Labor and Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To provide for the safety of journeymen boxers, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Professional Boxing
Safety Act’’.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘boxer’’ means a person who par-
ticipates in a professional boxing match;
(2) the term ‘‘manager’’ means a person or
business who helps arrange professional boxing
matches for a boxer, and who serves as an advisor
or representative of a boxer in a professional capac-
ity;
(3) the term ‘‘professional boxing match’’
means a boxing contest held in the United States be-
tween individuals for compensation or a prize, and
does not include any amateur boxing match;
(4) the term ‘‘promoter’’ means a person or
business that organizes, holds, advertises, or other-
wise conducts a professional boxing match; and
(5) the term ‘‘State boxing commission’’ means
a State agency with authority to regulate profes-
sional boxing;
SEC. 3. PURPOSE.
The purposes of this Act are—
(1) to improve and expand the system of safety
precautions that protects the welfare of professional
boxers; and
(2) to assist State boxing commissions to pro-
vide proper oversight for the professional boxing in-
dustry in the United States.
SEC. 4. PROFESSIONAL BOXING MATCHES.
A professional boxing match may be held in the
United States only if—
(1) the State where the professional boxing
match is to be held—
(A) has a State boxing commission ; or
(B) has entered into an agreement with a
State boxing commission of another State;
to oversee the match and to regulate each of its box-
ing matches; and
(2) the State boxing commission has established
procedures to carry out sections 5, 6, and 7.
SEC. 5. REGISTRATION.
(a) REQUIREMENT.—Each professional boxer shall
register with—
(1) the State boxing commission of the State in
which such boxer resides;
(2) in the case of a boxer who is a resident of
a State in which there is no State boxing commis-
sion, the State boxing commission described in sec-
tion 4(1)(B); or
(3) in the case of a boxer from a foreign coun-
try, any State that has a State boxing commission.
(b) IDENTIFICATION CARD.—
(1) ISSUANCE.—A State boxing commission
shall issue to each professional boxer who registers
in accordance with subsection (a), an identification
card that contains—
(A) a recent photograph of the boxer;
(B) the social security number of the boxer
(or, in the case of a foreign boxer, any similar
citizen identification number or professional
boxer number from the country of residence of
the boxer); and
(C) the personal identification numbers as-
signed to the boxer by the boxing registries cer-
tified by the Association of Boxing Commis-
sioners.
(2) RENEWAL.—Each professional boxer shall
renew his or her identification card at least once
every 3 years.
(3) PRESENTATION.—Each professional boxer
shall present his or her identification card to the
State boxing commission not later than the time of
the weigh-in for a professional boxing match.
(c) RELATION TO STATE LAW.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed as preventing a State from apply-
ing additional registration requirements.
SEC. 6. REVIEW.
Each State boxing commission shall establish proce-
dures—
(1) to evaluate the professional records of each
boxer participating in a boxing match in the State;
and
(2) to ensure that no boxer is permitted to box
while under suspension from any State boxing com-
mission for any reason, including—
(A) 
a 
recent 
knockout, 
injury, 
or
unfulfilled requirement for a medical procedure;
(B) administrative reasons, such as failure
to pay a State fee or fine, or improper conduct;
(C) falsification of, or attempts to falsify,
official identification cards or documents;
(D) failure of a drug test;
(E) inadequate boxing skills, or the inabil-
ity to safely compete; and
(F) violation of Federal or State gaming
laws.
SEC. 7. REPORTING.
(a) BOXING MATCH RESULTS.—Not later than 48
business hours (excluding Saturdays and Sundays) after
the conclusion of a professional boxing match, the results
of such match shall be reported to the professional boxing
registries certified by the Association of Boxing Commis-
sioners (ABC) and to the Florida State Athletic Commis-
sion.
(b) SUSPENSIONS.—Not later than 48 business hours
(excluding Saturdays and Sundays) after a State boxing
commission orders the suspension of a boxer, promoter,
or manager, such suspension shall be reported to the pro-
fessional boxing registries certified by the Association of
Boxing Commissioners (ABC) and to the Florida State
Athletic Commission.
SEC. 8. ENFORCEMENT.
(a) INJUNCTIONS.—Whenever the United States At-
torney in a State has reasonable cause to believe that a
person or entity is engaged in a violation of this Act in
such State, the United States Attorney may bring a civil
action in the appropriate district court of the United
States requesting such relief, including a permanent or
temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order,
against the person or entity, as the United States Attor-
ney determines necessary to restrain the person or entity
from continuing to engage in, or to sanction, a profes-
sional boxing match in violation of this Act.
(b) CRIMINAL PENALTIES.—
(1) MANAGERS
AND
PROMOTERS.—Any man-
ager or promoter who knowingly and willfully vio-
lates any provision of this Act shall be imprisoned
for not more than 1 year or fined more than
$20,000, or both.
(2) BOXERS.—Any professional boxer who
knowingly and willfully violates any provision of this
Act shall be fined not more than $1,000.
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