The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-24
PRESENT BILL
TO LEGALIZE:
Prize FIGHTS
Draft Submitted to House
Provides Strict Rules,
Tax on Receipts.
POWER IN COMMISSION
Body Named by Governor.
Would Have Complete
Power Over Bouts.


Legalizing Of actual prize fights
in Indiana with decisions by Judges
OF referees, accompanied by a 10
per cent tax on gross gate receipts
and the StricteSt set of regulations
ever proposed is provided in a bill
introduced in the state house OF
representatives today by Repre-
sentative William A. Fisher. The
bill does not apply to amateur
events.
Prize fighting now is illegal in
Indiana, the only thing Of the kind
permitted being no-decision boxing.
sparring or wrestling matches.
The bill provides for appointment
by the Governor of three commits
stoners who would have almost
absolute power over who shall fight
or Wrestle, who shall stage the
fights or matches, where and when
the exhibitions shall be held.
12-ROund Limit Set
The bill limits fights and matches
to twelve rounds, prohibits youths
under l8 years of age from partici-
pating, and prohibits any fighter
from participating in more than
twelve rounds within any twenty-
four hour period. He could fight
two six-reund bouts on consecutive
evenings.
The commission is given power to
cooperate with commissions Of
other states, such as barring fighters
or promoters for the sole reason
that some other commission has
barred them.
Proceeds OF the license fees and 10
per cent gate receipts go into free
text book fund. Fisher plans to in
| ltroduce a cnnpailion measure for
tlle disposition of this fund 10 public
SCHOOLS soon.
Penalties for violations. such as
fighting without a permit or failing
to report gate receipts properly
re . from $1,000 to as high as $l0,-
900 fines with six months Jail terms
for some offenses.
The commission is empowered to
name f1e deputies and an unlimited
number of inspectors, one of whom
shall be present at every fight or
match, with power to stop it if he
thinks the contestants unfit or
shamming.
Licenses Required
All promoters, clubs, referees.
judges. trainers, fighters, wrestlers.
physicians andother regular at
taches Of the fight game must take
out annual licenses, generally at As
each. If promoter or club is NOT
regularly in the business it is re-
quired that separate permit be
taken olt for each event.
Before a club can get an annual
license it must be incorporated and
composed Of at least ten members
who have lived in the state one wear
or more.
A lyicensed physician must be
present at each event, must examine
contestants two hours before the
hight and must bar them if piay-
sically unfit or be subject TO the
terrific penalties. The promoter must
pay such physician a fat fee Of only
SIS. He must stay clear through
the fight. He must stay clear
through the fight. He must have
five years Of practice before he can
have a license.
If a promoter changes his card he
must take out new permit, unless
the commission declares an
emergency.
Rounds can not be longer than
3 minutes with ! minute inter
missions. Six ounce gloves are
prescribed.
Sunday Bouts Barred
A referee can stop any fight he
believes is fixed and forfeit the purse
to the state.
Two licensed judges must sit at
each fight or match and render a
decision promptly at the conclusion.
If they disagree the referee makes
the decision.
Promoters Of clubs must file re-
port of gross gate receipts, together
with the 10 per cent tax in CASH,
With the state treasurer within
twenty-four hours after each event.
Clubs and promoters must file
bonds before they are licensed.
To prevent scalping, all tickets
must bear prices stipulated in the
permit and sale for any higher price
is a serious offense. 1t is an offense
to sell more tickets than there are
seats in hall or arena.
Sunday fights or wrestling are
prohibited.
The bill in its present form would
wreck the American Legion bouts
give nweekly in the armory, observ-
ers say. Legion officials fought the
city boxing ordinance because It
taxed them per cent Of gate
receipts. They said this would eat
up profits. The ordinance is iIl-
s,-f <.t.