2008 Rulebook Finally Here - [links updated 2.2.2009]

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Look what I stumbled upon. Didn't see it posted in the forum so here it is:

Rulebook Rule Change Synopsis:
http://assets.teamusa.org/assets/docume ... .2008.pdff

Rulebook:
http://assets.teamusa.org/assets/docume ... _FINAL.pdf

[scottmallon]

Look what I stumbled upon. Didn't see it posted in the forum so here it is:

Rulebook Rule Change Synopsis: http://usaboxing.org/assets/documents/a ... es__2_.pdf

Rulebook: http://usaboxing.org/assets/documents/a ... _FINAL.pdf

Thanks Kullen.

[Dennis]

They have gone full circle on a number of rules. Back in the 70's/early 80's boxers competed for 3 minute rounds x 3 rounds and you could use tape in between the fingers on the gauze handwraps. Those rules are now in place and you can use up to 6 feet of tape on each hand. You still have to keep the tape 1" back from the knuckles.

[Dennis]

After months of rewriting the rules, they still have very confusing wording for the classification of boxers - rule 109.2.
The rule should say that a boxer who has competed in 9 or less bouts can compete in the Novice class and the boxer's 10th bout shall be in the novice class. Open - A boxer who has competed in more than 9 bouts and the boxer's 11th bout shall be in the open class.
They should also specify the caveat that if a boxer enters a novice tournament that he/she can complete the tournament in the novice class (so the 11th bout won't necessarily be in the open class).

The rule is listed below:

109.2 Classification of boxers
(1) The following shall establish experience classifications.
(a) Sub-novice class. A boxer who has not competed in a sanctioned USA
Boxing boxing match.
(b) Novice class. A boxer who has competed in 10 or less sanctioned USA
Boxing boxing matches. Said boxer’s 10th bout shall be in the novice
class.
(c) Open class. A boxer who has competed in more than 10 sanctioned
USA Boxing boxing matches. Said boxer’s 11th bout shall be in the
open class.
Note: Common sense and good judgment must be used when matching
boxers.
(2) The number of bouts of experience shall be counted continuously through a
boxer’s career without interruption.
Note: Do not start the count of bouts of experience over when a boxer
moves from one class of competition to another (i.e. from Junior Olympic
boxing to open boxing to masters boxing).
(3) A boxer may elect to join the open class even though he or she has
competed in less than 10 bouts. However, rule 110.1(5) still applies.
Further, once a boxer competes in an open class tournament, that boxer may
not again compete in a novice tournament. The decision to turn open prior
to completing 10 bouts should be made after consultation with and approval
from that boxer’s coach.

[boxmel]

Nah - you're complicating things, Dennis. Makes sense to me. According to tournament rules, you still have to have 5 recorded bouts in your passbook in order to enter an advancing tournament at the local level.

I definitely think that the new rule, starting in 2010, that all athletes will be required to have an annual physical will have an impact. Many of our kids don't have healtb insurance and/or can't afford this type of medical exam. From a safety view point, I think it's a good idea - especially if examining physicians look for heart problems, etc. And, then again, a cursory exam may not show up anything and a boxer will still have a problem in or out of the ring that was not caught.

No yearly registration form filling out for doctors; no yearly membership fees for Masters Officials (of which I am one).

LBC COO is now an elected position, no longer appointed.

New matched bouts weight differences for JOs.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

107.15 Weigh-ins, weighmasters/weighmistresses and scales

If a boxer is not present when their weight is called, the boxer’s passbook shall be held aside
until the last weight class for that session is called. The boxer still not present is disqualified.

This seems more fair than what happened to Allan Russell at the Under-19. He was late (albeit his fault), but was there way before the weigh-ins ended. I think the purpose of a tournament should include getting boxers, who are there and fit to box, box. I like this clarification.

[Dennis]

No, Mel. I am a very critical reader. They have a poorly worded rule and didn't correct it.

[Dennis]

The new rules make it clear that professional MMA, Cage fighters, and other combat sports are inelligible to compete in amateur boxing.

[Dennis]

Coaching from the corners - this rule was modified slightly to add the words "but must operate in a sportsmanlike manner." This is how the refs have been handling this issue for several years, but now it actually has been incorporated into the rule.

[Dennis]

108.6 - this rule says that no other national tournament or qualifier for a national tournament may be held at the same time as the U.S. Championships. The problem with this rule is that the national office waits way too long to set their dates.

[boxmel]

The new rules make it clear that professional MMA, Cage fighters, and other combat sports are inelligible to compete in amateur boxing.

However, 102.19)(e) allows for appeal by an athlete who has competed in an unsanctioned contest or tough man event. Go figure. Of course, I doubt seriously that anyone would really care to spend the money to go through the appeal process.

[boxmel]

Amy, I'm not clear if you have to go through the Complaint Procedures first and THEN appeal. (Starts on page 123). There is a filing fee of $300 for complaints and $200 for appeals. Maybe Dennis could look this over and figure out how it applies to your question.

[Dennis]

Amy - it is possible that it was a tough gloves show that was sanctioned by USA Boxing. Amateur MMA also does not disqualify a boxer from competing as an amateur boxer.

[Dennis]

Were they competing for cash prizes?

[boxmel]

I don't think Tough Gloves qualifies as being okay, however - is that Art Dore's crap that he puts on?

[miboxref]

Does anyone know when the new rules go into effect? Is it now, or maybe Jan 1st? We have shows and an election scheduled in our LBC.

[boxmel]

Ron - rules are in effect now. You might also note that COO is NOW an elected position across the U.S. Also of interest is that their a new JO matched bouts weights (need to know at local shows).

[boxmel]

Frankly, I'm surprised there is an "appeal process" for toughman and MMA competitors. I think it opens up a can of worms and could be an administrative nightmare with the appeals - let alone costly for those who want to become registered amateur boxers. I don't think we'll see an influx of new boxers coming from this area. JMHO.

[boxmel]

but it would be nice to be able to point someone in the right direction if they really are interested in amateur boxing.

Yes, Ma'am! 8)