MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Ellington

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 75-75-101 AND 75-75-105, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE AND CLARIFY LAWS RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF TOUGH-MAN CONTESTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 75-75-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

75-75-101. (1) Boxing, sparring and wrestling matches and exhibitions for percentage of gate receipts where an admission fee is charged are hereby allowed. All boxing, sparring and wrestling matches and exhibitions authorized herein shall be held under the supervision of and subject to the rules and regulations of the Mississippi Athletic Commission, and in strict compliance with the provisions of this article. No boxing or sparring match or exhibition shall exceed fifteen (15) rounds of three (3) minutes each, and the charge for each seat or ticket shall be left to the discretion of the commission.

(2) For the purposes of this chapter, "tough-man contest" and kickboxing competition shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Athletic Commission.

(3) (a) Promoters of tough-man contests are authorized to use licensed judges and referees of their choice. The Mississippi Athletic Commission shall not require such promoters to use judges and referees selected by the commission.

(b) Tough-man contest fighters shall use gloves which are weighted at fourteen (14) ounce or larger.

(c) A tough-man contest shall not exceed three (3) rounds and a round shall be for two (2) minutes. No fighter shall fight more than two (2) consecutive days with a maximum of twelve (12) rounds.

(d) Tough-man contest matches that are part of a tournament or other competition lasting at least two (2) days shall require prefight physicals of all contestants not more than four (4) hours before the start of such tournament or other competition.

SECTION 2. Section 75-75-105, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

75-75-105. The commission shall have a seal and shall have and is hereby vested with the sole direction, management, control and jurisdiction over all boxing, sparring and wrestling matches or exhibitions to be conducted, held or given within the State of Mississippi. The commission has full power and authority and it shall be its duty: (a) to make and publish rules and regulations governing the conduct of boxing, sparring and wrestling matches and exhibitions, the time and place thereof, and the prices charged for admission thereto; (b) to accept application for and, in its discretion, order a license or permit issued to promoters and participants of these events, and to revoke the license or permit; (c) to collect through the recorder of permits and licenses a fee of six percent (6%) of the gross receipts of every boxing, sparring or wrestling match or exhibition, and a reasonable fee not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each annual license or permit issued to a boxer, wrestler, referee, judge, matchmaker, promoter, manager, trainer, second, director, or timekeeper; and (d) to revoke any license or permit when, in its judgment, the public welfare requires it. The commission is prohibited from issuing regulations which may be construed as granting a franchised or exclusive territory, and from the issuing of any type of monopolistic license or permit. The commission shall not make any rules or regulations governing the conduct of tough-man contests that conflict with the provisions of Section 75-75-101, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.