How can we get rid of John McCain

[Youngblood]

I appreciate your breakdown of it killersheep, for I don`t truly know it`s extent and am not saying McCain has it all correct, I just think he is doing it for the right reasons.

Just look at other professional sports in the US and Canada, Football. Baseball. Hockey, etc, etc. They seem to be getting on just fine with a standardized set of rules and seem to have a lot more legitimacy overall. So why not boxing? Why not one governing body that oversees it?

I can understand politic things such as indian affairs and what have you, people will always have political motivations and beliefs, but overall I don`t really care about that because my interests are far from political. I`d like to be able to watch a fight without the fear it is going to be a total rigged, ripped off decision because of behind the scenes whatever. I`d like to feel there is some sort of legitimacy in it in knowing it can`t be manipulated by agendas from so many varying levels. I`d like to have some assurance that whether I am watchin or participating in it, it is a fair and level playing field. A safe as possible place also.

For someone like myself right now, with half a brain who may or may not have a future in the sport, I gotta tell you, it is fairly discouraging seeing it in it current state.

[killersheep]

I appreciate your breakdown of it killersheep, for I don`t truly know it`s extent and am not saying McCain has it all correct, I just think he is doing it for the right reasons.

Just look at other professional sports in the US and Canada, Football. Baseball. Hockey, etc, etc. They seem to be getting on just fine with a standardized set of rules and seem to have a lot more legitimacy overall. So why not boxing? Why not one governing body that oversees it?

I can understand politic things such as indian affairs and what have you, people will always have political motivations and beliefs, but overall I don`t really care about that because my interests are far from political. I`d like to be able to watch a fight without the fear it is going to be a total rigged, ripped off decision because of behind the scenes whatever. I`d like to feel there is some sort of legitimacy in it in knowing it can`t be manipulated by agendas from so many varying levels. I`d like to have some assurance that whether I am watchin or participating in it, it is a fair and level playing field. A safe as possible place also.

For someone like myself right now, with half a brain who may or may not have a future in the sport, I gotta tell you, it is fairly discouraging seeing it in it current state.

The NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA etc. etc. are not government entities. I too would like to see someone step up and implement the parts of this bill that protect the fighters, but not the government. If ever there was an opportunity for an alphabet sanctioning body to become more legit than the rest this is it.
You may be right that McCain has the right intentions, admittedly after the years of shit I heard him swap views on depending on polls and trying to take away rights and income from Native Tribes, I do assume the worst and don't give him the benefit of the doubt.

[BoomBoom]

I dont mind the idea of there being a national commision with all the same requirements for every state, but I do have a problem with the federal government overseeing it in any way. There is enough politics in boxing and if there was a govt. run commision then some of the higher-ups will have too much power. I think there should still be commisioners for every state they should just all follow the same guidelines. I dont think that the rules in the ring should changed such as bigger gloves. There is nothing wrong with the competition part of boxing and the rules in the ring. Absolutely nothing. Bad matchmaking and states with no active commision at all is where the safety issues come from. Its rarely the fighters personal health that gets him hurt, its usually because hes overmatched. Also the medical requirements are fine in certain states like Florida or California for example and no more restrictions or requirements should be added. Some states are more notorious for blatant mismatches and poor health screening than others and that is a problem with boxing.

[fan johnny]

Well... If you read the title of the bill, it actually gives you a hint that there is already a law in place. The purpose of this bill "Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2009" is to amend existing law.

The original law is known as "The Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996" established minimum health and safety standards for professional boxing and provided for limited federal oversight by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. The 1996 bill was amended known as "the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act" which passed in 2000.

The 2009 bill is reintroduced from a amendment bills that died. It could take many years before it is voted on. Law is very difficult to follow and has to be read many times before it is understood. Usually, most just to resort to reading a summary to comprehend what the bill is about.

I don't see anything in the list that would piss off too many people in the industry and the ones it might excite are those where it limits the exploitation of the fighter. As far as Indian Tribal sh*t goes... it actually appears to give them the ability to make a commission rather than putting them under one.

I did not see a USBC in effect, H.R. 1065 [109th]: United States Boxing Commission Act (GovTrack.us) it failed. So I'm assuming there is none yet. S. 38: Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2009 (GovTrack.us) You have t read through all this crap to find out the particulars.

If you are really that disturbed by it U.S. GAO - Professional Boxing: Issues Related to the Protection of Boxers' Health, Safety, and Economic Interests download the pdf report and take a look.

[awdleyfuturehalloffamer]

Expanded government means more taxes and higher deficits and less freedom. For every 1% the government increases its powers, the people lose 10% of their freedom. We don't need the government to enslave us.

[JazMerkin]

Well... If you read the title of the bill, it actually gives you a hint that there is already a law in place. The purpose of this bill "Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2009" is to amend existing law.

The original law is known as "The Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996" established minimum health and safety standards for professional boxing and provided for limited federal oversight by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. The 1996 bill was amended known as "the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act" which passed in 2000.

The 2009 bill is reintroduced from a amendment bills that died. It could take many years before it is voted on. Law is very difficult to follow and has to be read many times before it is understood. Usually, most just to resort to reading a summary to comprehend what the bill is about.

I don't see anything in the list that would piss off too many people in the industry and the ones it might excite are those where it limits the exploitation of the fighter. As far as Indian Tribal sh*t goes... it actually appears to give them the ability to make a commission rather than putting them under one.

I did not see a USBC in effect, H.R. 1065 [109th]: United States Boxing Commission Act (GovTrack.us) it failed. So I'm assuming there is none yet. S. 38: Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2009 (GovTrack.us) You have t read through all this crap to find out the particulars.

If you are really that disturbed by it U.S. GAO - Professional Boxing: Issues Related to the Protection of Boxers' Health, Safety, and Economic Interests download the pdf report and take a look.

Yeah having read through it I gotta agree with johnny, that looks to me like a bill that can only help boxing. Just means the scum that try their best to exploit fighters (King, Arum & all their lower level wannabes) won't find it so easy no more

[Trainer Monkey]

I want a government oversight, half of the BS I have to deal with in this buiz would be wiped out in a nanosecond if there was one.
And more importantly,by far,the fighters welfare would be protected way better then it is now.
If a ref or a judge is completely incompetent,or even worse bought and paid for,,what can you do now?
Like it,or lump it.
Oh sure you can file a public complaint, but I wouldn't bet your way that anything comes of it. Except that your name is mud in the buiz for "causing trouble".
I have no problem whatsoever with oversight over my affairs.

[Lance Uppercut]

Right now the states run boxing. They make and enforce the rules. Every state gets to decide would rules they prefer.

IF the federal govt took over, there would be only one rule maker. And everyone from the US knows how hysterical congress can get when the timing is right(ie Janet Jackson's Boob), so you can gurentee that the first time a high profile fighter dies, you are going to have puritan like regulations that remove all the violence from boxing and will leave us with Olympic type boxing.


Do you want Nancy Palossi having a say on our sport?

[RP33]

this could be negative, but maybe there will be a chance to have a main boxing commission, leaving us with one true champion in each weight class?

i could be way off, but just a thought.

[Trainer Monkey]

Right now the states run boxing. They make and enforce the rules. Every state gets to decide would rules they prefer.

IF the federal govt took over, there would be only one rule maker. And everyone from the US knows how hysterical congress can get when the timing is right(ie Janet Jackson's Boob), so you can gurentee that the first time a high profile fighter dies, you are going to have puritan like regulations that remove all the violence from boxing and will leave us with Olympic type boxing.


Do you want Nancy Palossi having a say on our sport?

Beats the hell out of what we have now,cause right now,I could go to the graveyard and dig someone up and get them sanctioned in some states.
Its dangerous,and its unfair to the fighters who really take this sport seriously.It allows for graft and corruption 7 ways from sunday,it rips offs the fans.
The states have had years to clean up their own houses,and alot of them havent bothered to do buh.
Required state contracts between fighter,and manager in alot of states read like indentured servitude as well.
I wont let my fighters fight in some states,because the state required manager contract reads like,I just bought the kid to work in a plantation in 1800. I dont matchmake in a couple of others because the promoters fee is just ridiculous high.
Make it a unified set of rules

[Wayne]

I've always been for a boxing "league" I just wished someone had gotten it done without the government stepping in. Let's say it was something we all could live with now. The next time a fighter dies or gets horribly injured then the sabers would rattle for more regulation. The government is like an invited guest who not only won't leave, but starts telling you how to run your home.

I'm thinking the USBC is just a commission now, but it could easily be expanded to become a sanctioning body. If the right people were involved, which would never happen, it could be a good thing if fees were eliminated and a clear and legitimate ranking system were established. It could take the place of a lineal championship, but that won't happen. Boxing is as corrupt as it is because it can be and just wait until you see how this thing to boxers' benefit is corrupted.

[Lance Uppercut]

The next time a fighter dies or gets horribly injured then the sabers would rattle for more regulation. The government is like an invited guest who not only won't leave, but starts telling you how to run your home.

Exactly

[SOB]

Here Youngblood, I'm going to go point by point, all just my opinion of course.

Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2009

A bill to establish a United States Boxing Commission to administer the Act, and for other purposes.

current 111st session of congress Other Bill Titles (3 more)Hide Other Bill Titles

• Official: A bill to establish a United States Boxing Commission to administer the Act, and for other purposes. as introduced.
• Short: Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2009 as introduced.
• Short: Professional Boxing Safety Act as introduced.

1/6/2009--Introduced.
Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 to:
(1) authorize a tribal organization to establish a boxing commission;
Reservations are sovereign nations the US should not be able to
assign laws on the reservations.
(2) prohibit arranging, promoting, or fighting in a match unless the match is approved by the United States Boxing Commission (USBC) and held in a state or on tribal land that regulates matches in accordance with USBC standards;
I need to see what the USBC standards are to make judgement
(3) require specified pre-fight boxer physical examinations and to require the continuous presence during any match of an ambulance and emergency medical personnel;
This I agree with
(4) provide for boxing registration with the appropriate boxing commission of an Indian tribe;
Again the US should have no authority on the reservations.
(5) require a health and safety disclosure to a boxer when issuing an identification card and to establish procedures for review of a summary suspension;
I'm not clear on what this means, I can make a few different assumptions on what it means. Does this apply only to fighters fighting in the US?
(6) require the USBC to develop guidelines for boxing contracting requirements and for rating professional boxers;
Another sanctioning body?
(7) require the sanctioning organization for a match and its promoter to provide specified disclosures;
Why does the government need to be involved with private contracts?
(8 prohibit a promoter from arranging a championship match or a match scheduled unless all participating judges and referees are __ by the USBC;
Missing a word here employed? authorized? contracted?
(9) require the USBC to establish and maintain a registry of comprehensive medical records and medical denials or suspensions for every licensed boxer; and
Again cut off, but what I read I agree with
(10) apply conflict-of-interest provisions to USBC officers and employees. Establishes the USBC within the Department of Commerce to:
(1) protect the health, safety, and general interests of boxers and to ensure integrity in professional boxing;
Sounds good
(2) establish standards for, and issue, suspend, and revoke, boxing licenses; and
This I am not fond of the commissions already do this on the state athletic board level, no need for redundancy ("pork")
(3) establish a national computerized registry of boxing personnel.

Another government list.




I like the parts that protect boxers, I don't like the government having the final say as a sanctioning body, this is particularly silly because boxing is an international sport. And living in McCain's state for so many years, I have history to go on to not trust him. I do think that some standards should be implemented requiring medical personel and pre-fight medical exams I can get behind.

Its kind of hard to pay $2000 worth of medicals , when you are making $200 or $300 ! Pre-Physical and EMS sure the rest is BS !

[killersheep]

Here Youngblood, I'm going to go point by point, all just my opinion of course.

Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2009

A bill to establish a United States Boxing Commission to administer the Act, and for other purposes.

current 111st session of congress Other Bill Titles (3 more)Hide Other Bill Titles

• Official: A bill to establish a United States Boxing Commission to administer the Act, and for other purposes. as introduced.
• Short: Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2009 as introduced.
• Short: Professional Boxing Safety Act as introduced.

1/6/2009--Introduced.
Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 to:
(1) authorize a tribal organization to establish a boxing commission;
Reservations are sovereign nations the US should not be able to
assign laws on the reservations.
(2) prohibit arranging, promoting, or fighting in a match unless the match is approved by the United States Boxing Commission (USBC) and held in a state or on tribal land that regulates matches in accordance with USBC standards;
I need to see what the USBC standards are to make judgement
(3) require specified pre-fight boxer physical examinations and to require the continuous presence during any match of an ambulance and emergency medical personnel;
This I agree with
(4) provide for boxing registration with the appropriate boxing commission of an Indian tribe;
Again the US should have no authority on the reservations.
(5) require a health and safety disclosure to a boxer when issuing an identification card and to establish procedures for review of a summary suspension;
I'm not clear on what this means, I can make a few different assumptions on what it means. Does this apply only to fighters fighting in the US?
(6) require the USBC to develop guidelines for boxing contracting requirements and for rating professional boxers;
Another sanctioning body?
(7) require the sanctioning organization for a match and its promoter to provide specified disclosures;
Why does the government need to be involved with private contracts?
(8 prohibit a promoter from arranging a championship match or a match scheduled unless all participating judges and referees are __ by the USBC;
Missing a word here employed? authorized? contracted?
(9) require the USBC to establish and maintain a registry of comprehensive medical records and medical denials or suspensions for every licensed boxer; and
Again cut off, but what I read I agree with
(10) apply conflict-of-interest provisions to USBC officers and employees. Establishes the USBC within the Department of Commerce to:
(1) protect the health, safety, and general interests of boxers and to ensure integrity in professional boxing;
Sounds good
(2) establish standards for, and issue, suspend, and revoke, boxing licenses; and
This I am not fond of the commissions already do this on the state athletic board level, no need for redundancy ("pork")
(3) establish a national computerized registry of boxing personnel.

Another government list.




I like the parts that protect boxers, I don't like the government having the final say as a sanctioning body, this is particularly silly because boxing is an international sport. And living in McCain's state for so many years, I have history to go on to not trust him. I do think that some standards should be implemented requiring medical personel and pre-fight medical exams I can get behind.

Its kind of hard to pay $2000 worth of medicals , when you are making $200 or $300 ! Pre-Physical and EMS sure the rest is BS !

Can you break down the $2,000 worth of medicals please? I honestly don't know what is covered in that.

[Youngblood]

Killer, I didn't mean the US government per se, but be one body, hence one governing body. I can agree that I don't necessarily like the government running it and would much prefer it be given to some type of organization that can step up and create a universal set of rules to follow that might help fight the corruption and fix and watch dog the many problems it has.

As I mentioned, it isn't in any way about politics for me, and I tend to think the government can't help itself for politicing. I do think it could easily help form a qualified governing board though if guided properly.