Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0780 - Commerce and Insurance
Subtitle 0780-05 - Division of Regulatory Boards
Chapter 0780-05-01 - Professional Boxing
Section 0780-05-01-.15 - REFEREE

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 0780-05-01-.15

Current through September 24, 2024

(1) Each bout shall be officiated by a referee who is licensed in accordance with this chapter. The referee shall be responsible for enforcing the provisions of this chapter relating to the conduct of such bout. He shall maintain effective supervision and control over the contest while it is in progress. The referee shall effectively communicate all of his decisions and actions concerning bout through clear and appropriate signals and/or notifications.

(2) Prior to the start of a bout, the referee shall:

(a) confirm that the contestants and their seconds possess current and valid licenses or temporary permits issued under the authority of this chapter;

(b) inspect and initial (to denote his approval of) the bandages of each contestant;

(c) examine the contestants' gloves to insure that they are not in an unsanitary, lumpy, rough, or broken condition;

(d) observe the fitting of each contestant's gloves;

(e) ensure that no foreign substances have been applied to the gloves, bandages, protective equipment, or body of the contestants, and that their equipment is in order; and

(f) ensure that all persons working the ring wear surgical gloves.

(3) The referee may:

(a) stop a contest and consult with the ringside physician on the advisability of allowing it to continue; and

(b) administer a "standing eight count" to a contestant in order to observe his condition; and

(c) warn, penalize or disqualify a contestant for:
1. hitting below the belt;

2. hitting an opponent who is down or is getting up after being down;

3. holding an opponent with one hand and hitting with the other;

4. holding or deliberately maintaining a clinch;

5. wrestling or kicking;

6. butting with the head or shoulder or using the knee;

7. hitting with the open glove, or with the butt of the hand, the wrist, or the elbow;

8. purposely going down without being hit;

9. striking deliberately at the part of the body over the kidneys;

10. the use of the pivot blow or the deliberate use of the rabbit punch;

11. jabbing opponent's eyes with the thumb of the glove;

12. the use of abusive language in the ring;

13. any unsportsman-like trick or action causing injury to an opponent;

14. hitting on the break;

15. hitting after the bell has sounded ending the round;

16. roughing at the ropes; or

17. pushing an opponent about the ring, or into or through the ropes.

(4) If a referee has reason to believe that a foul which he did not see may have been committed, he may poll the judges to determine whether such foul was committed, and act in his discretion accordingly.

Authority: T.C.A. § 68-50-207 and Section 8, Chapter 727, Public Acts of 1980.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Tennessee 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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