I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1281
To amend the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996, and to establish 
the United States Boxing Administration. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 13, 2003
Mr. KING of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently de-
termined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996, and 
to establish the United States Boxing Administration.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2003’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Amendment of Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996. 
Sec. 3. Definitions. 
Sec. 4. Purposes.
Sec. 5. USBA approval, or ABC or commission sanction, required for 
matches. 
Sec. 6. Safety standards. 
Sec. 7. Registration. 
Sec. 8. Review. 
Sec. 9. Reporting. 
Sec. 10. Contract requirements. 
Sec. 11. Coercive contracts. 
Sec. 12. Sanctioning organizations. 
Sec. 13. Required disclosures by sanctioning organizations. 
Sec. 14. Required disclosures by promoters. 
Sec. 15. Judges and referees. 
Sec. 16. Medical registry. 
Sec. 17. Conflicts of interest. 
Sec. 18. Enforcement. 
Sec. 19. Repeal of deadwood. 
Sec. 20. Recognition of tribal law. 
Sec. 21. Establishment of United States Boxing Administration. 
Sec. 22. Effective date.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT OF PROFESSIONAL BOXING SAFETY 
ACT OF 1996. 
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in 
this title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms 
of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provi-
sion, the reference shall be considered to be made to a 
section or other provision of the Professional Boxing Safe-
ty Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.). 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2 (15 U.S.C. 6301) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this Act: 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘Administra-
tion’ means the United States Boxing Administra-
tion.
‘‘(2) BOUT
AGREEMENT.—The term ‘bout 
agreement’ means a contract between a promoter 
and a boxer that requires the boxer to participate in 
a professional boxing match with a designated oppo-
nent on a particular date. 
‘‘(3) BOXER.—The term ‘boxer’ means an indi-
vidual who fights in a professional boxing match. 
‘‘(4) BOXING COMMISSION.—The term ‘boxing 
commission’ means an entity authorized under State 
or tribal law to regulate professional boxing 
matches. 
‘‘(5) BOXER REGISTRY.—The term ‘boxer reg-
istry’ means any entity certified by the Administra-
tion for the purposes of maintaining records and 
identification of boxers. 
‘‘(6) BOXING
SERVICE
PROVIDER.—The term 
‘boxing service provider’ means a promoter, man-
ager, sanctioning body, licensee, or matchmaker. 
‘‘(7) CONTRACT
PROVISION.—The term ‘con-
tract provision’ means any legal obligation between 
a boxer and a boxing service provider. 
‘‘(8) INDIAN
LANDS; 
INDIAN
TRIBE.—The 
terms ‘Indian lands’ and ‘Indian tribe’ have the 
meanings given those terms by paragraphs (4) and
(5), respectively, of section 4 of the Indian Gaming 
Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2703). 
‘‘(9) LICENSEE.—The term ‘licensee’ means an 
individual who serves as a trainer, second, or cut 
man for a boxer. 
‘‘(10) LOCAL BOXING AUTHORITY.—The term 
‘local boxing authority’ means— 
‘‘(A) any agency of a State, or of a polit-
ical subdivision of a State, that has authority 
under the laws of the State to regulate profes-
sional boxing; and 
‘‘(B) any agency of an Indian tribe that is 
authorized by the Indian tribe or the governing 
body of the Indian tribe to regulate professional 
boxing on Indian lands. 
‘‘(11) MANAGER.—The term ‘manager’ means a 
person who, under contract, agreement, or other ar-
rangement with a boxer, undertakes to control or 
administer, directly or indirectly, a boxing-related 
matter on behalf of that boxer, including a person 
who is a booking agent for a boxer.
‘‘(12) MATCHMAKER.—The term ‘matchmaker’ 
means a person that proposes, selects, and arranges 
for boxers to participate in a professional boxing 
match.
‘‘(13) PHYSICIAN.—The term ‘physician’ means 
a doctor of medicine legally authorized to practice 
medicine by the State in which the physician per-
forms such function or action. 
‘‘(14) PROFESSIONAL
BOXING
MATCH.—The 
term ‘professional boxing match’ means a boxing 
contest held in the United States between individ-
uals for financial compensation. The term ‘profes-
sional boxing match’ does not include a boxing con-
test that is regulated by a duly recognized amateur 
sports organization, as approved by the Administra-
tion. 
‘‘(15) PROMOTER.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘promoter’ 
means the person responsible for organizing, 
promoting, and producing a professional boxing 
match. 
‘‘(B) NON-APPLICATION TO CERTAIN ENTI-
TIES.—The term ‘promoter’ does not include a 
premium or other cable or satellite program 
service, hotel, casino, resort, or other commer-
cial establishment hosting or sponsoring a pro-
fessional boxing match unless it—
‘‘(i) is responsible for organizing, pro-
moting, and producing the match; and
‘‘(ii) has a promotional agreement 
with a boxer in that match. 
‘‘(C) 
ENTITIES
ENGAGING
IN
PRO-
MOTIONAL
ACTIVITIES
THROUGH
AN
AFFIL-
IATE.—Notwithstanding subparagraph (B), an 
entity described in that subparagraph shall be 
considered to be a promoter if the person re-
sponsible for organizing, promoting, and pro-
ducing a professional boxing match—
‘‘(i) is directly or indirectly under the 
control of, under common control with, or 
acting at the direction of that entity; and 
‘‘(ii) organizes, promotes, and pro-
duces the match at the direction or request 
of the entity. 
‘‘(16) PROMOTIONAL AGREEMENT.—The term 
‘promotional agreement’ means a contract between 
any person and a boxer under which the boxer 
grants to that person the right to secure and ar-
range all professional boxing matches requiring the 
boxer’s services for—
‘‘(A) a prescribed period of time; or 
‘‘(B) a prescribed number of professional 
boxing matches.
‘‘(17) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means each of 
the 50 States, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, 
and any territory or possession of the United States, 
including the Virgin Islands. 
‘‘(18) SANCTIONING ORGANIZATION.—The term 
‘sanctioning organization’ means an organization, 
other than a boxing commission, that sanctions pro-
fessional boxing matches, ranks professional boxers, 
or charges a sanctioning fee for professional boxing 
matches in the United States— 
‘‘(A) between boxers who are residents of 
different States; or 
‘‘(B) that are advertised, otherwise pro-
moted, or broadcast (including closed circuit 
television) in interstate commerce. 
‘‘(19) SUSPENSION.—The term ‘suspension’ in-
cludes within its meaning the temporary revocation 
of a boxing license. 
‘‘(20) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘trib-
al organization’ has the same meaning as in section 
4(l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(l)).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 21 (15 
U.S.C. 6312) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘SEC. 21. PROFESSIONAL BOXING MATCHES CONDUCTED 
ON INDIAN LANDS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other pro-
vision of law, a tribal organization may establish a boxing 
commission to regulate professional boxing matches held 
on Indian land under the jurisdiction of that tribal organi-
zation. 
‘‘(b) STANDARDS AND LICENSING.—A tribal organi-
zation that establishes a boxing commission shall, by tribal 
ordinance or resolution, establish and provide for the im-
plementation of health and safety standards, licensing re-
quirements, and other requirements relating to the con-
duct of professional boxing matches that are at least as 
restrictive as— 
‘‘(1) the otherwise applicable requirements of 
the State in which the Indian land on which the pro-
fessional boxing match is held is located; or 
‘‘(2) the guidelines established by the United 
States Boxing Administration. 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION OF ACT TO BOXING MATCHES ON 
TRIBAL LANDS.—The provisions of this Act apply to pro-
fessional boxing matches held on tribal lands to the same 
extent and in the same way as they apply to professional 
boxing matches held in any State.’’.
SEC. 4. PURPOSES. 
Section 3(2) (15 U.S.C. 6302(2)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘State’’. 
SEC. 5. USBA APPROVAL, OR ABC OR COMMISSION SANC-
TION, REQUIRED FOR MATCHES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4 (15 U.S.C. 6303) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 4. APPROVAL OR SANCTION REQUIREMENT. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—No person may arrange, pro-
mote, organize, produce, or fight in a professional boxing 
match within the United States unless the match—
‘‘(1) is approved by the Administration; and 
‘‘(2) is supervised by the Association of Boxing 
Commissions or by a boxing commission that is a 
member in good standing of the Association of Box-
ing Commissions. 
‘‘(b) APPROVAL PRESUMED.—For purposes of sub-
section (a), the Administration shall be presumed to have 
approved any match other than—
‘‘(1) a match with respect to which the Admin-
istration has been informed of an alleged violation of 
this Act and with respect to which it has notified the
supervising boxing commission that it does not ap-
prove; 
‘‘(2) a match advertised to the public as a 
championship match; or
‘‘(3) a match scheduled for 10 rounds or 
more.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 19 (15 
U.S.C. 6310) is repealed. 
SEC. 6. SAFETY STANDARDS. 
Section 5 (15 U.S.C. 6304) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘requirements or an alternative 
requirement in effect under regulations of a boxing 
commission that provides equivalent protection of 
the health and safety of boxers:’’ and inserting ‘‘re-
quirements:’’; 
(2) by adding at the end of paragraph (1) ‘‘The 
examination shall include testing for infectious dis-
eases in accordance with standards established by 
the Administration.’’; 
(3) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(2) An ambulance continuously present on 
site.’’; 
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as 
paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively, and inserting 
after paragraph (2) the following: 
‘‘(3) Emergency medical personnel with appro-
priate resuscitation equipment continuously present 
on site.’’; and
(5) by striking ‘‘match.’’ in paragraph (5), as 
redesignated, and inserting ‘‘match in an amount 
prescribed by the Administration.’’. 
SEC. 7. REGISTRATION. 
Section 6 (15 U.S.C. 6305) is amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘or Indian tribe’’ after ‘‘State’’ 
the second place it appears in subsection (a)(2); 
(2) by striking the first sentence of subsection 
(c) and inserting ‘‘A boxing commission shall, in ac-
cordance with requirements established by the Ad-
ministration, make a health and safety disclosure to 
a boxer when issuing an identification card to that 
boxer.’’; 
(3) by striking ‘‘should’’ in the second sentence 
of subsection (c) and inserting ‘‘shall, at a min-
imum,’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) COPY OF REGISTRATION AND IDENTIFICATION 
CARDS TO BE SENT TO ADMINISTRATION.—A boxing 
commission shall furnish a copy of each registration re-
ceived under subsection (a), and each identification card 
issued under subsection (b), to the Administration.’’. 
SEC. 8. REVIEW. 
Section 7 (15 U.S.C. 6306) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘that, except as provided in sub-
section (b), no’’ in subsection (a)(2) and inserting 
‘‘that no’’; 
(2) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) of sub-
section (a) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(3) Procedures to review a summary suspen-
sion when a hearing before the boxing commission is 
requested by a boxer, licensee, manager, match-
maker, promoter, or other boxing service provider 
which provides an opportunity for that person to 
present evidence.’’; 
(3) by striking subsection (b); and 
(4) by striking ‘‘(a) PROCEDURES.—’’. 
SEC. 9. REPORTING. 
Section 8 (15 U.S.C. 6307) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘48 business hours’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘2 business days’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘bxoing’’ and inserting ‘‘box-
ing’’; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘each boxer registry.’’ and in-
serting ‘‘the Administration.’’. 
SEC. 10. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS. 
Section 9 (15 U.S.C. 6307a) is amended to read as 
follows:
‘‘SEC. 9. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administration, in consulta-
tion with the Association of Boxing Commissions, shall de-
velop guidelines for minimum contractual provisions that 
shall be included in each bout agreement, boxer-manager 
contract, and promotional agreement. Each boxing com-
mission shall ensure that these minimal contractual provi-
sions are present in any such agreement or contract sub-
mitted to it. 
‘‘(b) FILING AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS.—
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATION.—A manager or pro-
moter shall submit a copy of each boxer-manager 
contract and each promotional agreement between 
that manager or promoter and a boxer to the Ad-
ministration, and, if requested, to the boxing com-
mission with jurisdiction over the bout. 
‘‘(2) BOXING COMMISSION.—A boxing commis-
sion may not approve a professional boxing match 
unless a copy of the bout agreement related to that 
match has been filed with it and approved by it. 
‘‘(c) BOND OR OTHER SURETY.—A boxing commis-
sion may not approve a professional boxing match unless 
the promoter of that match has posted a surety bond, 
cashier’s check, letter of credit, cash, or other security 
with the boxing commission in an amount acceptable to 
the boxing commission.’’.
SEC. 11. COERCIVE CONTRACTS. 
Section 10 (15 U.S.C. 6307b) is amended—
(1) by striking paragraph (3) of subsection (a); 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or elimination’’ after ‘‘manda-
tory’’ in subsection (b). 
SEC. 12. SANCTIONING ORGANIZATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 11 (15 U.S.C. 6307c) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 11. SANCTIONING ORGANIZATIONS. 
‘‘(a) OBJECTIVE CRITERIA.—Within 1 year after the 
date of enactment of the Professional Boxing Amendments 
Act of 2003, the Administration shall develop guidelines 
for objective and consistent written criteria for the rating 
of professional boxers based on the athletic merits of the 
boxers. Within 90 days after the Administration’s promul-
gation of the guidelines, each sanctioning organization 
shall adopt the guidelines and follow them. 
‘‘(b) NOTIFICATION
OF CHANGE
IN RATING.—A 
sanctioning organization shall, with respect to a change
in the rating of a boxer previously rated by such organiza-
tion in the top 10 boxers—
‘‘(1) post a copy, within 7 days after the 
change, on its Internet website or home page, if any, 
including an explanation of the change, for a period 
of not less than 30 days;
(2) provide a copy of the rating change and a 
thorough explanation in writing under penalty of 
perjury to the boxer and the Administration; 
‘‘(3) provide the boxer an opportunity to appeal 
the ratings change to the sanctioning organization; 
and 
‘‘(4) apply the objective criteria for ratings re-
quired under subsection (a) in considering any such 
appeal. 
‘‘(c) CHALLENGE OF RATING.—If, after disposing 
with an appeal under subsection (b)(3), a sanctioning or-
ganization receives a petition from a boxer challenging 
that organization’s rating of the boxer, it shall (except to 
the extent otherwise required by the Administration), 
within 7 days after receiving the petition—
‘‘(1) provide to the boxer a written explanation 
under penalty of perjury of the organization’s rating 
criteria, its rating of the boxer, and the rationale or 
basis for its rating (including a response to any spe-
cific questions submitted by the boxer); and 
‘‘(2) submit a copy of its explanation to the As-
sociation of Boxing Commissions and the Adminis-
tration.’’.
SEC. 13. REQUIRED DISCLOSURES BY SANCTIONING ORGA-
NIZATIONS. 
Section 12 (15 U.S.C. 6307d) is amended—
(1) by striking the matter preceding paragraph 
(1) and inserting ‘‘Within 7 days after a professional 
boxing match of 10 rounds or more, the sanctioning 
organization for that match shall provide to the Ad-
ministration, and, if requested, to the boxing com-
mission in the State or on Indian land responsible 
for regulating the match, a statement of—’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘will assess’’ in paragraph (1) 
and inserting ‘‘has assessed, or will assess,’’; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘will receive’’ in paragraph (2) 
and inserting ‘‘has received, or will receive,’’. 
SEC. 14. REQUIRED DISCLOSURES BY PROMOTERS. 
Section 13 (15 U.S.C. 6307e) is amended—
(1) by striking the matter in subsection (a) pre-
ceding paragraph (1) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) DISCLOSURES TO BOXING COMMISSIONS AND 
ADMINISTRATION.—Within 7 days after a professional 
boxing match of 10 rounds or more, the promoter of any 
boxer participating in that match shall provide to the Ad-
ministration, and, if requested, to the boxing commission 
in the State or on Indian land responsible for regulating 
the match—’’;
(2) by striking ‘‘writing,’’ in subsection (a)(1) 
and inserting ‘‘writing, other than a bout agreement 
previously provided to the commission,’’; 
(3) by striking ‘‘all fees, charges, and expenses 
that will be’’ in subsection (a)(3)(A) and inserting 
‘‘a statement of all fees, charges, and expenses that 
have been, or will be,’’; 
(4) by inserting ‘‘a statement of’’ before ‘‘all’’ 
in subsection (a)(3)(B); 
(5) by inserting ‘‘a statement of’’ before ‘‘any’’ 
in subsection (a)(3)(C); 
(6) by striking the matter in subsection (b) fol-
lowing ‘‘BOXER.—’’ and preceding paragraph (1) 
and inserting ‘‘Within 7 days after a professional 
boxing match of 10 rounds or more, the promoter of 
the match shall provide to each boxer participating 
in the match with whom the promoter has a pro-
motional agreement a statement of—’’; and 
(7) by striking ‘‘match;’’ in subsection (b)(1) 
and inserting ‘‘match, and that the promoter has 
paid, or agreed to pay, to any other person in con-
nection with the match;’’. 
SEC. 15. JUDGES AND REFEREES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 16 (15 U.S.C. 6307h) is 
amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘(a) LICENSING AND ASSIGN-
MENT REQUIREMENT.—’’ before ‘‘No person’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘certified and approved’’ and in-
serting ‘‘selected’’; 
(3) by inserting ‘‘or Indian lands’’ after 
‘‘State’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) CHAMPIONSHIP AND 10-ROUND BOUTS.—In ad-
dition to the requirements of subsection (a), no person 
may arrange, promote, organize, produce, or fight in a 
professional boxing match advertised to the public as a 
championship match or in a professional boxing match 
scheduled for 10 rounds or more unless all referees and 
judges participating in the match have been licensed by 
the Administration. 
‘‘(c) SANCTIONING ORGANIZATION NOT TO INFLU-
ENCE SELECTION PROCESS.—A sanctioning organiza-
tion—
‘‘(1) may provide a list of judges and referees 
deemed qualified by that organization to a boxing 
commission; but 
‘‘(2) shall not influence, or attempt to influence, 
directly or indirectly, a boxing commission’s selection 
of a judge or referee for a professional boxing match 
except by providing such a list.
‘‘(d) ASSIGNMENT OF NONRESIDENT JUDGES AND 
REFEREES.—A boxing commission may assign judges and 
referees who reside outside that commission’s State or In-
dian land if the judge or referee is licensed by a boxing 
commission in the United States. 
‘‘(e) REQUIRED DISCLOSURE.—A judge or referee 
shall provide to the boxing commission responsible for reg-
ulating a professional boxing match in a State or on In-
dian land a statement of all consideration, including reim-
bursement for expenses, that the judge or referee has re-
ceived, or will receive, from any source for participation 
in the match. If the match is scheduled for 10 rounds or 
more, the judge or referee shall also provide such a state-
ment to the Administration.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 14 (15 
U.S.C. 6307f) is repealed.
SEC. 16. MEDICAL REGISTRY. 
The Act is amended by inserting after section 13 (15 
U.S.C. 6307e) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 14. MEDICAL REGISTRY. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administration, in consulta-
tion with the Association of Boxing Commissions, shall es-
tablish and maintain, or certify a third party entity to es-
tablish and maintain, a medical registry that contains
comprehensive medical records and medical denials or sus-
pensions for every licensed boxer. 
‘‘(b) CONTENT; SUBMISSION.—The Administration 
shall determine—
‘‘(1) the nature of medical records and medical 
suspensions of a boxer that are to be forwarded to 
the medical registry; and 
‘‘(2) the time within which the medical records 
and medical suspensions are to be submitted to the 
medical registry. 
‘‘(c) CONFIDENTIALITY.—The Administration shall 
establish confidentiality standards for the disclosure of 
personally identifiable information to boxing commissions 
that will—
‘‘(1) protect the health and safety of boxers by 
making relevant information available to the boxing 
commissions for use but not public disclosure; and 
‘‘(2) ensure that the privacy of the boxers is 
protected.’’. 
SEC. 17. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. 
Section 17(a) (15 U.S.C. 6308(a)) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘enforces State’’ and inserting 
‘‘enforces State or Tribal’’; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘no officer or employee of the 
Administration,’’ after ‘‘laws,’’; and
(3) by striking ‘‘as described in section 4.’’ and 
inserting ‘‘ or under the jurisdiction of another trib-
al organization.’’. 
SEC. 18. ENFORCEMENT. 
Section 18 (15 U.S.C. 6309) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘(a) INJUNCTION.—’’ in sub-
section (a) and inserting ‘‘(a) ACTIONS BY ATTOR-
NEY GENERAL.—’’; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or criminal’’ after ‘‘civil’’ in 
subsection (a); 
(3) by inserting ‘‘any officer or employee of the 
Administration,’’ after ‘‘laws,’’ in subsection (b)(3); 
(4) by inserting ‘‘has engaged in or’’ after ‘‘or-
ganization’’ in subsection (c); 
(5) by inserting ‘‘or criminal’’ after ‘‘civil’’ in 
subsection (c); 
(6) by striking ‘‘fines’’ in subsection (c)(3) and 
inserting ‘‘sanctions’’; and 
(7) by striking ‘‘boxer’’ in subsection (d) and 
inserting ‘‘person’’. 
SEC. 19. REPEAL OF DEADWOOD. 
Section 20 (15 U.S.C. 6311) is repealed. 
SEC. 20. RECOGNITION OF TRIBAL LAW. 
Section 22 (15 U.S.C. 6313) is amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘OR TRIBAL’’ in the section 
heading after ‘‘STATE’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or Indian tribe’’ after 
‘‘State’’.
SEC. 21. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNITED STATES BOXING AD-
MINISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Act is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘TITLE II—UNITED STATES 
BOXING ADMINISTRATION
‘‘SEC. 201. PURPOSE. 
‘‘The purpose of this title is to protect the health, 
safety, and welfare of boxers and to ensure fairness in the 
sport of professional boxing. 
‘‘SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNITED STATES BOXING AD-
MINISTRATION. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The United States Boxing Ad-
ministration is established as an administration of the De-
partment of Labor. 
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATOR.— 
‘‘(1) APPOINTMENT.—The Administration shall 
be headed by an Administrator, appointed by the 
President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate.
‘‘(2) 
QUALIFICATIONS.—The 
Administrator 
shall be an individual who—
‘‘(A) has extensive experience in profes-
sional boxing activities or in a field directly re-
lated to professional sports; 
‘‘(B) is of outstanding character and rec-
ognized integrity; 
‘‘(C) is selected on the basis of training, 
experience, and qualifications and without re-
gard to political party affiliation; and 
‘‘(D) is a United States citizen. 
‘‘(3) COMPENSATION.—Section 5315 of title 5, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘The Administrator of the United States Box-
ing Administration.’’. 
‘‘(4) TERM
OF
OFFICE.—The Administrator 
shall serve for a term of 4 years. 
‘‘(c) ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR; GENERAL COUN-
SEL.—The Administration shall have an Assistant Admin-
istrator and a General Counsel, each of whom shall be ap-
pointed by the Administrator. The Assistant Adminis-
trator shall—
‘‘(1) serve as Administrator in the absence of 
the Administrator, in the event of the inability of the
Administrator to carry out the functions of the Ad-
ministrator, or in the event of a vacancy in that of-
fice; and 
‘‘(2) carry out such duties as the Administrator 
may assign. 
‘‘(d) STAFF.—The Administration shall have such 
additional staff as may be necessary to carry out the func-
tions of the Administration. 
‘‘SEC. 203. FUNCTIONS. 
‘‘(a) PRIMARY FUNCTIONS.—The primary functions 
of the Administration are—
‘‘(1) to protect the health, safety, and general 
interests of boxers consistent with the provisions of 
this Act; and 
‘‘(2) to ensure uniformity, fairness, and integ-
rity in professional boxing.
‘‘(b) SPECIFIC
FUNCTIONS.—The Administrator 
shall—
‘‘(1) administer title I of this Act; 
‘‘(2) promulgate uniform standards for profes-
sional boxing in consultation with the boxing com-
missions of the several States and tribal organiza-
tions;
‘‘(3) except as otherwise determined by the Ad-
ministration, oversee all professional boxing matches 
in the United States; 
‘‘(4) work with the boxing commissions of the 
several States and tribal organizations—
‘‘(A) to improve the safety, integrity, and 
professionalism of professional boxing in the 
United States; 
‘‘(B) to enhance physical, medical, finan-
cial, and other safeguards established for the 
protection of professional boxers; and 
‘‘(C) to improve the status and standards 
of professional boxing in the United States; 
‘‘(5) ensure, through the Attorney General, the 
chief law enforcement officer of the several States, 
and other appropriate officers and agencies of Fed-
eral, State, and local government, that Federal and 
State laws applicable to professional boxing matches 
in the United States are vigorously, effectively, and 
fairly enforced; 
‘‘(6) review local boxing authority regulations 
for professional boxing and provide assistance to 
such authorities in meeting minimum standards pre-
scribed by the Administration under this title;
‘‘(7) serve as the coordinating body for all ef-
forts in the United States to establish and maintain 
uniform minimum health and safety standards for 
professional boxing; 
‘‘(8) if the Administrator determines it to be 
appropriate, publish a newspaper, magazine, or 
other publication and establish and maintain a 
website consistent with the purposes of the Adminis-
tration; 
‘‘(9) procure the temporary and intermittent 
services of experts and consultants to the extent au-
thorized by section 3109(b) of title 5, United States 
Code, at rates the Administration determines to be 
reasonable; and 
‘‘(10) promulgate rules, regulations, and guid-
ance, and take any other action necessary and prop-
er to accomplish the purposes of, and consistent 
with, the provisions of this title. 
‘‘(c) PROHIBITIONS.—The Administration may not—
‘‘(1) promote boxing events or rank professional 
boxers; or 
‘‘(2) provide technical assistance to, or author-
ize the use of the name of the Administration by, 
boxing commissions that do not comply with require-
ments of the Administration.
‘‘(d) USE OF NAME.—The Administration shall have 
the exclusive right to use the name ‘United States Boxing 
Administration’. Any person who, without the permission 
of the Administration, uses that name or any other exclu-
sive name, trademark, emblem, symbol, or insignia of the 
Administration for the purpose of inducing the sale or ex-
change of any goods or services, or to promote any exhi-
bition, performance, or sporting event, shall be subject to 
suit in a civil action by the Administration for the rem-
edies provided in the Act of July 5, 1946 (commonly 
known as the ‘Trademark Act of 1946’; 15 U.S.C. 1051 
et seq.). 
‘‘SEC. 204. LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF BOXING PER-
SONNEL. 
‘‘(a) LICENSING.—
‘‘(1) REQUIREMENT FOR LICENSE.—No person 
may compete in a professional boxing match or serve 
as a boxing manager, boxing promoter, or sanc-
tioning organization for a professional boxing match
except as provided in a license granted to that per-
son under this subsection. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATION AND TERM.—
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administration 
shall—
‘‘(i) establish application procedures, 
forms, and fees; 
‘‘(ii) establish and publish appropriate 
standards for licenses granted under this 
section; and 
‘‘(iii) issue a license to any person 
who, as determined by the Administration, 
meets the standards established by the Ad-
ministration under this title. 
‘‘(B) DURATION.—A license issued under 
this section shall be for a renewable—
‘‘(i) 4-year term for a boxer; and 
‘‘(ii) 2-year term for any other person. 
‘‘(C) PROCEDURE.—The Administration 
may issue a license under this paragraph 
through local boxing authorities or in a manner 
determined by the Administration. 
‘‘(b) LICENSING FEES.—
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY.—The Administration may 
prescribe and charge reasonable fees for the licens-
ing of persons under this title. The Administration 
may set, charge, and adjust varying fees on the 
basis of classifications of persons, functions, and 
events determined appropriate by the Administra-
tion.
‘‘(2) LIMITATIONS.—In setting and charging 
fees under paragraph (1), the Administration shall 
ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable—
‘‘(A) club boxing is not adversely effected; 
‘‘(B) sanctioning organizations and pro-
moters pay the largest portion of the fees; and 
‘‘(C) boxers pay as small a portion of the 
fees as is possible. 
‘‘(3) COLLECTION.—Fees established under this 
subsection may be collected through local boxing au-
thorities or by any other means determined appro-
priate by the Administration. 
‘‘SEC. 205. NATIONAL REGISTRY OF BOXING PERSONNEL. 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT FOR REGISTRY.—The Adminis-
tration, in consultation with the Association of Boxing 
Commissions, shall establish and maintain (or authorize 
a third party to establish and maintain) a unified national 
computerized registry for the collection, storage, and re-
trieval of information related to the performance of its du-
ties. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—The information in the registry 
shall include the following: 
‘‘(1) BOXERS.—A list of professional boxers 
and data in the medical registry established under 
section 114 of this Act, which the Administration
shall secure from disclosure in accordance with the 
confidentiality requirements of section 114(c). 
‘‘(2) OTHER PERSONNEL.—Information (perti-
nent to the sport of professional boxing) on boxing 
promoters, boxing matchmakers, boxing managers, 
trainers, cut men, referees, boxing judges, physi-
cians, and any other personnel determined by the 
Administration as performing a professional activity 
for professional boxing matches. 
‘‘SEC. 206. CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS. 
‘‘The Administration shall consult with local boxing 
authorities—
‘‘(1) before prescribing any regulation or estab-
lishing any standard under the provisions of this 
title; and 
‘‘(2) not less than once each year regarding 
matters relating to professional boxing. 
‘‘SEC. 207. MISCONDUCT. 
‘‘(a) SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION OF LICENSE OR 
REGISTRATION.—
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY.—The Administration may, 
after notice and opportunity for a hearing, suspend 
or revoke any license issued under this title if the 
Administration finds that—
‘‘(A) the licensee has violated any provision 
of this Act; 
‘‘(B) there are reasonable grounds for be-
lief that a standard prescribed by the Adminis-
tration under this title is not being met, or that 
bribery, collusion, intentional losing, racket-
eering, extortion, or the use of unlawful threats, 
coercion, or intimidation have occurred in con-
nection with a license; or 
‘‘(C) the suspension or revocation is nec-
essary for the protection of health and safety or 
is otherwise in the public interest. 
‘‘(2) PERIOD OF SUSPENSION.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A suspension of a li-
cense under this section shall be effective for a 
period determined appropriate by the Adminis-
tration except as provided in subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(B) SUSPENSION
FOR
MEDICAL
REA-
SONS.—In the case of a suspension or denial of 
the license of a boxer for medical reasons by the 
Administration, the Administration may termi-
nate the suspension or denial at any time that 
a physician certifies that the boxer is fit to par-
ticipate in a professional boxing match. The 
Administration shall prescribe the standards
and procedures for accepting certifications 
under this subparagraph. 
‘‘(3) PERIOD OF REVOCATION.—In the case of 
a revocation of the license of a boxer, the revocation 
shall be for a period of not less than 1 year. 
‘‘(b) INVESTIGATIONS AND INJUNCTIONS.—
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY.—The Administration may— 
‘‘(A) conduct any investigation that it con-
siders necessary to determine whether any per-
son has violated, or is about to violate, any pro-
vision of this Act or any regulation prescribed 
under this Act; 
‘‘(B) require or permit any person to file 
with it a statement in writing, under oath or 
otherwise as the Administration shall deter-
mine, as to all the facts and circumstances con-
cerning the matter to be investigated; 
‘‘(C) in its discretion, publish information 
concerning any violations; and 
‘‘(D) investigate any facts, conditions, 
practices, or matters to aid in the enforcement
of the provisions of this Act, in the prescribing 
of regulations under this Act, or in securing in-
formation to serve as a basis for recommending
legislation concerning the matters to which this 
Act relates. 
‘‘(2) POWERS.—
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—For the purpose of 
any investigation under paragraph (1), or any 
other proceeding under this Act, any officer 
designated by the Administration may admin-
ister oaths and affirmations, subpoena or other-
wise compel the attendance of witnesses, take 
evidence, and require the production of any 
books, papers, correspondence, memorandums, 
or other records which the Administration con-
siders relevant or material to the inquiry. 
‘‘(B) WITNESSES
AND
EVIDENCE.—The 
attendance of witnesses and the production of 
any documents under subparagraph (A) may be 
required from any place in the United States, 
including Indian land, at any designated place 
of hearing. 
‘‘(3) ENFORCEMENT OF SUBPOENAS.—
‘‘(A) CIVIL ACTION.—In case of contumacy 
by, or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to, any 
person, the Administration may file an action in 
any district court of the United States within 
the jurisdiction of which an investigation or
proceeding is carried out, or where that person 
resides or carries on business, to enforce the at-
tendance and testimony of witnesses and the 
production of books, papers, correspondence, 
memorandums, and other records. The court 
may issue an order requiring the person to ap-
pear before the Administration to produce 
records, if so ordered, or to give testimony con-
cerning the matter under investigation or in 
question. 
‘‘(B) FAILURE TO OBEY.—Any failure to 
obey an order issued by a court under subpara-
graph (A) may be punished as contempt of that 
court. 
‘‘(C) PROCESS.—All process in any con-
tempt case under subparagraph (A) may be 
served in the judicial district in which the per-
son is an inhabitant or in which the person may 
be found. 
‘‘(4) EVIDENCE OF CRIMINAL MISCONDUCT.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—No person may be ex-
cused from attending and testifying or from 
producing books, papers, contracts, agreements, 
and other records and documents before the 
Administration, in obedience to the subpoena of
the Administration, or in any cause or pro-
ceeding instituted by the Administration, on the 
ground that the testimony or evidence, docu-
mentary or otherwise, required of that person 
may tend to incriminate the person or subject 
the person to a penalty or forfeiture. 
‘‘(B) LIMITED IMMUNITY.—No individual 
may be prosecuted or subject to any penalty or 
forfeiture for, or on account of, any transaction, 
matter, or thing concerning the matter about 
which that individual is compelled, after having 
claimed a privilege against self-incrimination, to 
testify or produce evidence, documentary or 
otherwise, except that the individual so testi-
fying shall not be exempt from prosecution and 
punishment for perjury committed in so testi-
fying. 
‘‘(5) INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.—If the Administra-
tion determines that any person is engaged or about 
to engage in any act or practice that constitutes a 
violation of any provision of this Act, or of any regu-
lation prescribed under this Act, the Administration 
may bring an action in the appropriate district court 
of the United States, the United States District 
Court for the District of Columbia, or the United
States courts of any territory or other place subject 
to the jurisdiction of the United States, to enjoin the 
act or practice, and upon a proper showing, the 
court shall grant without bond a permanent or tem-
porary injunction or restraining order. 
‘‘(6) MANDAMUS.—Upon application of the Ad-
ministration, the district courts of the United 
States, the United States District Court for the Dis-
trict of Columbia, and the United States courts of 
any territory or other place subject to the jurisdic-
tion of the United States, shall have jurisdiction to 
issue writs of mandamus commanding any person to 
comply with the provisions of this Act or any order 
of the Administration. 
‘‘(c) INTERVENTION IN CIVIL ACTIONS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administration, on be-
half of the public interest, may intervene of right as 
provided under rule 24(a) of the Federal Rules of 
Civil Procedure in any civil action relating to profes-
sional boxing filed in a district court of the United 
States.
‘‘(2) AMICUS FILING.—The Administration may 
file a brief in any action filed in a court of the 
United States on behalf of the public interest in any 
case relating to professional boxing.
‘‘(d) HEARINGS
BY
ADMINISTRATION.—Hearings 
conducted by the Administration under this Act shall be 
public and may be held before any officer of the Adminis-
tration. The Administration shall keep appropriate records 
of the hearings. 
‘‘SEC. 208. NONINTERFERENCE WITH LOCAL BOXING AU-
THORITIES. 
‘‘(a) NONINTERFERENCE.—Nothing in this Act pro-
hibits any local boxing authority from exercising any of 
its powers, duties, or functions with respect to the regula-
tion or supervision of professional boxing or professional 
boxing matches to the extent not inconsistent with the pro-
visions of this Act. 
‘‘(b) MINIMUM STANDARDS.—Nothing in this Act 
prohibits any local boxing authority from enforcing local 
standards or requirements that exceed the minimum
standards or requirements promulgated by the Adminis-
tration under this Act. 
‘‘SEC. 209. ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER AGENCIES. 
‘‘Any employee of any executive department, agency, 
bureau, board, commission, office, independent establish-
ment, or instrumentality may be detailed to the Adminis-
tration, upon the request of the Administration, on a reim-
bursable or nonreimbursable basis, with the consent of the 
appropriate authority having jurisdiction over the em-
ployee. While so detailed, an employee shall continue to 
receive the compensation provided pursuant to law for the 
employee’s regular position of employment and shall re-
tain, without interruption, the rights and privileges of that 
employment. 
‘‘SEC. 210. REPORTS. 
‘‘(a) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Administration shall 
submit a report on its activities to the Senate Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House 
of Representatives Committee on Commerce each year. 
The annual report shall include—
‘‘(1) a detailed discussion of the activities of the 
Administration for the year covered by the report; 
and 
‘‘(2) an overview of the licensing and enforce-
ment activities of the State and tribal organization 
boxing commissions. 
‘‘(b) PUBLIC REPORT.—The Administration shall an-
nually issue and publicize a report of the Administration 
on the progress made at Federal and State levels and on 
Indian lands in the reform of professional boxing, which 
shall include comments on issues of continuing concern to 
the Administration. 
‘‘(c) FIRST ANNUAL REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRA-
TION.—The first annual report under this title shall be
submitted not later than 2 years after the effective date 
of this title. 
‘‘SEC. 211. INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION. 
‘‘(a) TEMPORARY EXEMPTION.—The requirements 
for licensing under this title do not apply to a person for 
the performance of an activity as a boxer, boxing judge, 
or referee, or the performance of any other professional 
activity in relation to a professional boxing match, if the 
person is licensed by a boxing commission to perform that 
activity as of the effective date of this title. 
‘‘(b) EXPIRATION.—The exemption under subsection 
(a) with respect to a license issued by a boxing commission 
expires on the earlier of—
‘‘(1) the date on which the license expires; or 
‘‘(2) the date that is 2 years after the date of 
the enactment of the Professional Boxing Amend-
ments Act of 2003. 
‘‘SEC. 212. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated for the Administration for each fiscal year such
sums as may be necessary for the Administration to per-
form its functions for that fiscal year. 
‘‘(b) RECEIPTS CREDITED AS OFFSETTING COLLEC-
TIONS.—Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, United 
States Code, any fee collected under this title—
‘‘(1) shall be credited as offsetting collections to 
the account that finances the activities and services 
for which the fee is imposed; 
‘‘(2) shall be available for expenditure only to 
pay the costs of activities and services for which the 
fee is imposed; and 
‘‘(3) shall remain available until expended.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
(1) PBSA.—The Professional Boxing Safety 
Act of 1996, as amended by this Act, is further 
amended—
(A) by amending section 1 to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
‘‘(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘Professional Boxing Safety Act’. 
‘‘(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents 
for this Act is as follows:
‘‘Section 1. Short title; table of contents. 
‘‘Sec. 2. Definitions. 
‘‘TITLE I—PROFESSIONAL BOXING SAFETY 
‘‘Sec. 101. Purposes. 
‘‘Sec. 102. Approval or sanction requirement. 
‘‘Sec. 103. Safety standards. 
‘‘Sec. 104. Registration. 
‘‘Sec. 105. Review. 
‘‘Sec. 106. Reporting. 
‘‘Sec. 107. Contract requirements. 
‘‘Sec. 108. Protection from coercive contracts. 
‘‘Sec. 109. Sanctioning organizations. 
‘‘Sec. 110. Required disclosures to state boxing commissions by sanc-
tioning organizations.
‘‘Sec. 111. Required disclosures by promoters. 
‘‘Sec. 112. Medical registry. 
‘‘Sec. 113. Confidentiality. 
‘‘Sec. 114. Judges and referees. 
‘‘Sec. 115. Conflicts of interest. 
‘‘Sec. 116. Enforcement. 
‘‘Sec. 117. Professional boxing matches conducted on indian lands. 
‘‘Sec. 118. Relationship with State or tribal law. 
‘‘TITLE II—UNITED STATES BOXING ADMINISTRATION 
‘‘Sec. 201. Purpose. 
‘‘Sec. 202. Establishment of United States Boxing Administration. 
‘‘Sec. 203. Functions. 
‘‘Sec. 204. Licensing and registration of boxing personnel. 
‘‘Sec. 205. National registry of boxing personnel. 
‘‘Sec. 206. Consultation requirements. 
‘‘Sec. 207. Misconduct. 
‘‘Sec. 208. Noninterference with local boxing authorities. 
‘‘Sec. 209. Assistance from other agencies. 
‘‘Sec. 210. Reports. 
‘‘Sec. 211. Initial implementation. 
‘‘Sec. 212. Authorization of appropriations.’’;
(B) by inserting before section 3 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘TITLE I—PROFESSIONAL 
BOXING SAFETY’’; 
(C) by redesignating sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 
8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, and 
22 as sections 101 through 118, respectively; 
(D) by striking subsection (a) of section 
113, as redesignated, and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except to the extent required in 
a legal, administrative, or judicial proceeding, a boxing 
commission, an Attorney General, or the Administration 
may not disclose to the public any matter furnished by 
a promoter under section 111.’’;
(E) by striking ‘‘section 13’’ in subsection 
(b) of section 113, as redesignated, and insert-
ing ‘‘section 111’’; 
(F) by striking ‘‘9(b), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 
or 16,’’ in paragraph (1) of section 116(b), as 
redesignated, and inserting ‘‘107, 108, 109, 
110, 111, or 114,’’; 
(G) by striking ‘‘9(b), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 
or 16’’ in paragraph (2) of section 116(b), as 
redesignated, and inserting ‘‘107, 108, 109, 
110, 111, or 114’’; 
(H) by striking ‘‘section 17(a)’’ in sub-
section (b)(3) of section 116, as redesignated, 
and inserting ‘‘section 115(a)’’; 
(I) by striking ‘‘section 10’’ in subsection 
(e)(3) of section 116, as redesignated, and in-
serting ‘‘section 108’’; and 
(J) by striking ‘‘of this Act’’ each place it 
appears in sections 101 through 120, as redes-
ignated, and inserting ‘‘of this title’’. 
(2) COMPENSATION OF ADMINISTRATOR.—Sec-
tion 5315 of title 5, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘The Administrator of the United States Boxing 
Administration.’’.
SEC. 22. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 
on the date of enactment of this Act. 
(b) 1-YEAR DELAY FOR CERTAIN TITLE II PROVI-
SIONS.—Sections 205 through 212 of the Professional 
Boxing Safety Act of 1996, as added by section 21(a) of 
this Act, shall take effect 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act.
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