Nebraska Administrative Code
Topic - ATHLETIC COMMISSION
Title 38
Chapter 5 - PROFESSIONAL BOXING
Section 38-5-002 - OFFICIATING A PROFESSIONAL BOXING BOUT

Universal Citation: 38 NE Admin Rules and Regs ch 5 ยง 002

Current through March 20, 2024

002.01 There is no standing eight (8) count or three (3) knockdown rule.

002.02 When, as a result of a legal strike, the referee or the contestant's corner determines that it is unsafe for the contestant to continue, the bout is stopped and the result is recorded as a technical knockout.

002.03 No person other than the contestants and the referee can enter the ring during the bout. Between rounds, one second may be inside the ring and the other second must remain on the ring apron. The licensed physician may enter the ring to examine an injury to a contestant if asked to do so by the referee. A contestant cannot leave the ring during any one-minute rest period between rounds.

002.04 If a contestant falls due to fatigue or is knocked down by his or her opponent, he or she will be allowed 10 seconds to rise. The opponent must go to the farthest neutral corner and remain there while the count is being made.

002.05 When a contestant is knocked down as a result of a punch, the referee must order the opponent to a neutral corner. A contestant is considered down when any part of the contestant's body, except for the feet, is on the floor or the contestant is hanging helplessly over the ropes. If the opponent fails to stay in the neutral corner, the referee must stop the count until the opponent returns to the corner. Once the opponent has returned to the corner, the referee may continue the count from the point where interrupted. The referee's count is the official count.

002.06 When a fallen contestant rises and falls again without being hit, the referee will continue the original count rather than starting a new count. If the bell rings ending the round during the count, the count will continue; a contestant cannot be saved by the bell in any round.

002.07 If a contestant taking the count is still down when the referee calls the count of 10 or if, during the count, it is the opinion of the referee that the fallen contestant is in no condition to continue, the referee must wave both arms to indicate a knockout. The bout is then stopped.

002.08 When a mouthpiece is knocked out, the referee may allow the bout to continue until there is a break in the action. A time-out will then be called and the mouthpiece rinsed and handed to the contestant's second, who will immediately replace the mouthpiece in the contestant's mouth.

002.09 If a contestant is propelled through the ropes and onto the floor or surrounding tables or chairs clear of the ring, he or she will be given 20 seconds to rise to his or her feet and return to the ring. A contestant cannot be assisted to his or her feet by a second. If the contestant is assisted, the contestant will be disqualified.

002.10 If both contestants are knocked down at the same time, the counting will continue as long as one (1) of them is still down. If both contestants remain down until the count of 10, the bout must be stopped and the decision will be a technical draw.

002.11 Whenever a contestant has been seriously injured, knocked out, or technically knocked out, the referee must immediately summon the attending physician to aid the fallen contestant. Managers and seconds are not permitted to attend the fallen contestant unless requested to do so by the physician.

002.12 The referee may stop a bout:

002.12(A) Due to the physical condition of one or both of the contestants;

002.12(B) When one of the contestants is clearly out-classed by his or her opponent; or

002.12(C) For any other reason deemed necessary by the referee.

002.13 In the event of serious cuts, the referee must summon the attending physician and the physician will determine if the bout can continue.

002.14 The following tactics are fouls:

002.14(A) Hitting below the belt or after the bell has terminated the round;

002.14(B) Hitting an opponent who is down or who is getting up after being down;

002.14(C) Holding an opponent or deliberately maintaining a clinch;

002.14(D) Holding an opponent with one hand and hitting with the other hand;

002.14(E) Butting with the head or shoulder or using a knee;

002.14(F) Hitting with the laces of the glove or the heel of the hand, the wrist, elbow, or the back of the hand;

002.14(G) Hitting or flicking with an open glove or thumb;

002.14(H) Wrestling, hitting on the break, or pushing an opponent;

002.14(I) Spitting out the mouthpiece or going down without being hit;

002.14(J) Striking deliberately at that part of the body over the kidneys;

002.14(K) Use of a pivot or rabbit punch;

002.04(L) Hitting an opponent during intervention by the referee;

002.14(M) Hitting an opponent who is entangled in the ropes;

002.14(N) Biting or any unsportsmanlike conduct;

002.14(O) Abusive or profane language;

002.14(P) Failure to obey the referee;

002.14(Q) Any physical action which may injure a contestant, except by fair sportsmanlike boxing; and

002.14(R) Passive defense by means of double cover and falling intentionally to avoid getting hit by the opponent.

002.15 The referee may penalize a contestant for committing any of the listed fouls by deducting points from his or her score in the round or rounds that the fouls were committed. The referee must notify the judges between rounds of the foul points deducted.

002.16 The referee will warn or penalize a contestant who uses the ropes, deliberately spits out his or her mouthpiece, or uses other unfair means to gain an advantage. The referee will not permit unfair practices that may cause injuries to a contestant. The only fair blow is a blow delivered with the padded knuckle part of the glove on the front or sides of the head and body above the hip line.

002.17 A contestant may be penalized, disqualified, or subjected to disciplinary action if the contestant deliberately wrestles or throws an opponent from the ring or punches an opponent who is partially out of the ring and prevented by the ropes from assuming a position of defense.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Nebraska may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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