CHAPTER 25. PROFESSIONAL KICKBOXING

 Chapter 21 (relating to professional boxing) is applicable to professional kickboxers except if otherwise provided in this chapter.

 (a)  The weight classes of professional kickboxers shall be as follows:

   (1)  Atomweight—112.9 pounds and under (51.3 kg and below).

   (2)  Flyweight—113 to 118 pounds (51.4—54.0 kg).

   (3)  Bantamweight—119 to 125.9 pounds (54.1—57.2 kg).

   (4)  Featherweight—126 to 132.9 pounds (57.3—60.4 kg).

   (5)  Lightweight—133 to 139.9 pounds (60.4—63.6 kg).

   (6)  Light Welterweight—140 to 147.9 pounds (63.6—67.2 kg).

   (7)  Welterweight—148 to 155.9 pounds (67.3—70.8 kg).

   (8)  Light Middleweight—156 to 163.9 pounds (70.9—74.5 kg).

   (9)  Middleweight—164 to 171.9 pounds (74.6—78.1 kg).

   (10)  Light Heavyweight—172 to 179.9 pounds (78.2—81.5 kg).

   (11)  Heavyweight—180 to 194.9 pounds (81.5—88.3 kg).

   (12)  Super Heavyweight—Over 195 pounds (Over 88.3 kg).

 (a)  A contestant will be given a physical examination by a Commission licensed physician at least 2 hours before the event. The results of the examinations shall be set forth in writing on Commission approved forms. If, in the opinion of the physician, a boxer is physically or mentally unfit to proceed, the physician shall notify the person in charge, who shall immediately cancel the contest or exhibition.

 (b)  A contest may not exceed 12, 3-minute rounds, with a minute rest period between rounds.

 (c)  A contestant intentionally avoiding physical contact with an opponent will receive a warning. If a contestant continues to avoid physical contact with the opponent after receiving a warning during that round, the contestant will be declared the loser of that round. If a contestant continues to avoid physical contact either in the same round or in the following rounds, the contestant may be subject to the same penalties and procedures as a contestant using foul tactics. (See §  25.6 (relating to fouls).)

 (d)  If a contestant refuses to continue a contest while physically able to do so, the referee shall disqualify the contestant, award the contest to the opposing contestant and report the incident to the Commission. The purse of the disqualified contestant may be impounded by the Commission pending a hearing on the disposition thereof.

 (e)  As soon as a contestant has been knocked down, the official timekeeper shall begin calling the count from 1 to 10. The referee shall direct the opponent to a neutral corner. Regardless of whether the boxer rises before the count of 10 is reached, a boxer who has been knocked down is required to take a mandatory count of 8 before the contest may continue.

 (f)  If a contestant who is down rises before the count of 10 is reached and immediately goes down again without being struck, the referee shall resume the count where it was left off.

 (g)  If both contestants go down at the same time, counting will be continued as long as one of them is down. If one contestant rises before the count of 10, and the other contestant remains down after the count of 10, the first contestant to rise shall be declared the winner by knockout. If both contestants rise before the count of 10, the clock shall be stopped until an examination is completed. If both contestants stay down for a count of 10, the contest will be stopped and the decision will be a technical draw.

 (h)  Before a fallen contestant can resume fighting after having slipped, fallen or been knocked to the floor, the referee shall wipe the contestant’s gloves free of foreign substances, in the manner articulated in §  21.16(e) (relating to Safety Code).

 (i)  If a contestant has been wrestled, pushed or has fallen through the ropes during a contest, the referee shall call time-out and allow the contestant to return to the ring. If there is a question of a contestant’s ability to return to the ring, the referee shall ask the ringside physician to examine the contestant. The physician shall decide if the contestant is able to continue. If the contestant is able to continue, the contestant may be assisted up into the ring by his chief second only. The chief second is not permitted to perform other tasks at this time.

   The provisions of this §  25.3 amended under the Athletic Code, 5 Pa.C.S. §  103(b)(1).

 (a)  Each event, except those held solely for training purposes, shall be scored by three judges. The three judges of an event shall each select a winner of each round at the end of each round, marking their ballots accordingly. Ballots will be supplied by the promoter. These ballots will be collected by the referee and tabulated at the end of each round by the scorekeeper. Fractions of a point may not be given. Once the ballots have been marked by the respective judges, changes to the ballots will not be allowed.

 (b)  Judges shall score rounds by recording a score of ten points for the winner of each round and nine points or less to the loser of the round. Judges may score a round as even and thus shall mark their scorecards with ten points for each boxer.

 (c)  Examples of ten-point scoring are as follows:

   (1)  10-10 Indicates an even round. Neither contestant distinguished himself as being more effective than the other. In addition, the contestants appeared equal in the areas that may be used to break an even round, such as opponent control, ring strategy and overall conditioning and abilities as a complete kickboxing contestant, with emphasis on kicking ability.

   (2)  10-9 Indicates one contestant distinguished himself as the more effective contestant during the round, as described in this section. This score is the most often used, and allows for a slight to considerable margin between the contestants. One contestant may have been only slightly better than the other or he may have dominated the round without really stunning the other contestant.

   (3)  10-8 Used sparingly, but indicates a round in which one contestant was in constant control, and unquestionably outclassed his opponent. This contestant shall also have obviously stunned his opponent, usually including at least one knockdown or standing eight-count. If there were no knockdowns or standing eight-counts, one of these occurrences shall have been imminent.

 (d)  Points shall be totaled on each judge’s scorecard to determine that judge’s selection of a winner. Each judge’s selection will count as one vote towards determining the overall winner of the contest. If two judges have an equal number of points for both contestants, the contest will be declared a draw. If one judge has an equal number of points for both contestants and the scores of the other judges each favor a different contestant, the contest shall be declared a draw. If the scores of two judges favor one contestant and the third judge’s score favors the other contestant, the contestant receiving the two votes shall be declared the winner, by split decision. If the scores of all three judges favor one contestant, that contestant will be declared the winner by unanimous decision.

   The provisions of this §  25.4 amended under the Athletic Code, 5 Pa.C.S. §  103(b)(1).

 (a)  Each contestant shall execute a minimum of eight kicking techniques during the course of each round, unless otherwise agreed to by both boxers and a commissioner or the Executive Director. The kicks shall be clear attempts to make contact with the opponent above the waist to qualify. If a contestant does not execute his minimum kicks per round (MKRS), the contestant then shall make up the kicks in the next round, and if he does not, he will have a one point deduction.

 (b)  An example of minimum kick technique scoring is as follows: First round contestant only executes six kicks. In the second round this contestant shall make up his two kicks from round one plus his eight minimum kicks for round two for a total of ten kicks. If a contestant fails to make the minimum number of kicks in one round, and then fails to make up the kicks in the following round, that contestant will then be penalized one point. A contestant who fails to meet his MKRS in three consecutive rounds shall be disqualified and the victory awarded to his opponent.

 (c)  The public address announcer will inform the audience of minimum kicking requirement (MKR) violations. The Commission will apply these MKRS rules or the MKRS rules of a Nationally recognized kickboxing council or association for a particular contest, subject to the written approval of the Commission.

 (d)  One MKR official shall be assigned to each contestant in a contest. The official shall be positioned at ringside and is responsible to count, in order, the number of qualifying kicks executed by the contestant. The MKR official assigned to contestant A will sit opposite contestant A’s corner, and the MKR official assigned to contestant B will sit opposite contestant B’s corner. Both officials will keep track of the number of kicks executed by their assigned contestant with hand held cards. If a contestant executes fewer than the minimum number of required kicks in one round, the MKR official for that contestant will immediately notify the referee of the number of kicks thrown.

 (e)  At the end of each round the referee will take the judges’ ballot slips and deliver them to a commissioner or the Executive Director for tabulation of the results onto a master scorecard.

   The provisions of this §  25.5 amended under the Athletic Code, 5 Pa.C.S. §  103(b)(1).

 (a)  The referee shall determine all fouls based on the severity of the foul, the intent of the contestant committing the foul and the result of the foul. At the time of the infraction, the referee shall indicate to the judges the number of points that are to be subtracted from each boxer. The referee may simply issue a warning to the contestant, and no points will be subtracted.

 (b)  Accidental or intentional fouls will be governed under the regulations regarding accidental or intentional fouls in professional contests in §  21.5(d), (e) and (f) (relating to scoring system). The following actions are considered to be fouls:

   (1)  Striking with the elbow.

   (2)  Striking or kicking to the groin or any area below the waist.

   (3)  Attacking with a knee.

   (4)  Intentional striking or kicking to the back of the neck or throat.

   (5)  Striking to the face with a part of the arm other than the gloved hand.

   (6)  Linear, or straight-in, striking or kicking to the spine.

   (7)  Kicking to the legs.

   (8)  Punching or kicking of the contestant when he is down. A contestant is knocked down when any part of the contestant’s body other than the feet touches the floor. If a contestant is on his way to the floor, the opponent may continue the attack until the contestant has touched the floor with any part of his body other than the feet.

   (9)  Takedowns.

   (10)  Intentionally pushing, shoving or wrestling an opponent out of the ring with any part of the body.

   (11)  Illegal sweeping—a kick in which the leg is swept in a roundhouse motion.

   (12)  Attacking on the break when both contestants have been ordered to take one step back by the referee.

   (13)  Attacking after the bell has sounded to end the round.

   (14)  Holding and hitting; such as holding with one hand, especially behind the neck, and hitting with the other.

   (15)  Grabbing or holding onto an opponent’s foot or leg, followed by a takedown, strike or kick.

   (16)  Holding the ropes with one hand while kicking, punching or defending with the other hand or the legs.

   (17)  Leg checking by extending the leg to check an opponent’s leg to prevent him from kicking. The checked kick will be counted by the minimum kicking requirement (MKR) official as an attempted kick.

   (18)  Purposely going down without being hit. This will result in the referee automatically administering an eight-count, as specified in the rule on knockdown.

   (19)  The use of abusive language in the ring or corner, as determined by the referee.

   (20)  Hitting or flicking with an open glove.

   (21)  Intentionally evading contact.

   (22)  Clinching, holding or otherwise tying up an opponent’s arms to prohibit him from punching for two seconds or more, or repeatedly tying up the opponent’s arm.

   (23)  Biting.

 (c)  If the contest ends in a knockout or a technical knockout, the Commission will enter the exact time of the knockout or technical knockout on the master scorecard.

 (d)  The Commission will make the final tallies and verify the accuracy of the scores.

   The provisions of this §  25.6 amended under the Athletic Code, 5 Pa.C.S. §  103(b)(1).

   The provisions of this §  25.6 amended May 17, 2002, effective May 18, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 2443. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (251557) to (251559).

 (a)  Contestants shall wear foot protectors, an individually fitted mouthpiece, a foul proof groin protector, a plastic cup with athletic supporter or preferably, an abdominal guard. Other equipment, such as hockey shin guards, elbow or forearm pads are not permitted. Loose or untied clothing is not permitted. Kickboxers may not wear rings or other jewelry.

 (b)  Contestants shall wear a uniform which shall include long pants that reach the ankle. The uniform shall be clean and not torn or frayed. Only black belts will be permitted to be worn in the ring. Loose or untied clothing is not permitted. Uniforms are subject to inspection by the referee and the Commission.

 (c)  In contests or exhibitions when the contestants weigh 150 pounds or under, boxing gloves weighing at least 8 ounces each shall be used. In contests or exhibitions when the contestants weigh over 150 pounds, boxing gloves weighing at least 10 ounces each shall be used. Gloves shall be supplied by the promoter and be in good condition without tears or wrinkles.

 (d)  The wrapping of the hands is mandatory. Hands shall be wrapped with soft, surgical gauze no more than 2 inches wide and not longer than 10 yards. Tape is not allowed between fingers. Each hand is allowed only one cross (X) across the back of the hand and two wraps around the wrist.

 (e)  Contestants are required to wear foot protectors. Only two windings of tape are permitted around the foot to hold the foot protector in place. Ankle supporters may be secured to the foot with no more than four windings of surgeon’s adhesive tape. Hand and foot wraps are subject to Commission inspection and approval.

   The provisions of this §  25.8 amended under the Athletic Code, 5 Pa.C.S. §  103(b)(1).

 (a)  At kickboxing events except those held solely for training purposes, there shall be a referee, three judges, a timekeeper, a scorekeeper, two minimum kicking requirement (MKR) officials and a physician in attendance. Officials shall be approved and licensed by the Commission. The promoter shall supply the Executive Director with a complete list of ringside officials at least 5 days before the scheduled event.

 (b)  Professional MKR officials and scorekeepers shall be licensed by the Commission as judges. The amount of compensation for these officials shall be determined and paid by the promoter of the event.

 (c)  Referees and judges shall be approved and licensed by the Commission and be at least 21 years of age, of good moral character and reputation, of sound physical health and of a level of intelligence and knowledge of kickboxing satisfactory to the Executive Director.

 (d)  Kickboxing referees shall be paid a minimum of $100 for each event by the promoter. Judges shall be paid a minimum of $75 for each event by the promoter.

 (e)  The amount of compensation for timekeepers will be determined and paid by the promoter of the event.

 (f)  There shall be at least one physician at all kickboxing events. This physician, who shall be seated at ringside, shall be licensed by the Commission.

 (g)  Physicians shall be paid a minimum of $100 per event by the promoter.

   The provisions of this §  25.9 amended under the Athletic Code, 5 Pa.C.S. §  103(b)(1).

 (a)  A kickboxing event may not be started unless there is on the premises:

   (1)  An ambulance, together with emergency equipment.

   (2)  A portable resuscitator with oxygen and appropriate endotracheal tubes and a qualified operator.

 (b)  A contestant is not permitted to begin a round without a fitted mouthpiece. Failure to begin a round with the mouthpiece inserted shall be deemed by the referee to be a ‘‘delay of bout’’ foul, and shall draw a warning or penalty as determined by the referee.

 (c)  Whenever a mouthpiece is knocked out by a fair blow or a foul tactic, or whenever the mouthpiece is dropped or spit out by the contestant, the referee shall call time out, stop the bout, allow the contestant’s seconds to clean off the mouthpiece and replace the mouthpiece. Willful dropping or spitting out of the mouthpiece by a contestant shall also be deemed a ‘‘delay in bout’’ foul and the contestant shall be penalized accordingly by the referee.

 (d)  The promoter shall provide at kickboxing events an adequate supply of latex, disposable, hygienic laboratory gloves of a type approved by the Commission, to be worn by the seconds, referees and others having direct contact with the contestants during the kickboxing event. A kickboxing referee is not permitted to enter the ring unless the referee is wearing hygienic gloves. A second is not permitted to work in that capacity during a kickboxing event unless the second is wearing hygienic gloves. No other individual is permitted to examine or medically treat a kickboxer during a kickboxing event unless he is wearing hygienic gloves except where the nature of treatment or examination makes the wearing of hygienic gloves impractical during the procedure.