3773.45 Physical examinations.

(A) Each contestant in a public boxing match or exhibition shall be examined not more than twenty-four hours before entering the ring by a licensed physician, a physician assistant, a clinical nurse specialist, a certified nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse-midwife. Each contestant who has had a previous match or exhibition on or after July 27, 1981, and was knocked out at that match or exhibition shall present to the examiner a record of the physical examination performed at the conclusion of that match or exhibition. If, after reviewing such record and performing a physical examination of the contestant, the examiner determines that the contestant is physically fit to compete, the physician shall certify that fact on the contestant’s physical examination form. No physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse practitioner, or certified nurse-midwife shall certify a contestant as physically fit to compete if the physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse practitioner, or certified nurse-midwife determines that the contestant was knocked out in a contest that took place within the preceding thirty days. No contestant shall compete in a public boxing match or exhibition unless the contestant has been certified as physically fit in accordance with this section.

Immediately after the end of a match or exhibition, the examiner shall examine each contestant who was knocked out in the match or exhibition, and record the outcome of the match or exhibition and any physical injuries sustained by the contestant on the contestant’s physical examination form.

Within twenty-four hours after the match or exhibition, the examiner shall mail one copy of the examination report to the Ohio athletic commission and one copy to the contestant. The commission shall furnish blank copies of the examination report to the examiner. The examiner shall answer all questions on the form. The person conducting the match or exhibition shall compensate the examiner. No person shall conduct such a match or exhibition unless an examiner appointed by the commission is in attendance.

(B) No holder of a promoter’s license shall conduct a boxing match or exhibition that exceeds twelve rounds. Each round shall be not more than three minutes in length. A period of at least one minute, during which no boxing or sparring takes place, shall occur between rounds.

No holder of a promoter’s license or a permit issued under section 3773.39 of the Revised Code shall allow a professional boxer to participate in more than twelve rounds of boxing within a period of seventy-two consecutive hours. For any match or exhibition or for a class of contestants, the commission may limit the number of rounds within the maximum of twelve rounds.

(C) No person shall conduct a boxing match or exhibition unless a licensed referee appointed by the commission and paid by the person is present. The referee shall direct and control the match or exhibition. Before each match or exhibition the referee shall obtain from each contestant the name of the contestant’s chief second and shall hold the chief second responsible for the conduct of any assistant seconds during the match or exhibition. The referee may declare a prize, remuneration, or purse or any part thereof to which a contestant is otherwise entitled withheld if, in the referee’s judgment, the contestant is not competing or did not compete honestly. A contestant may appeal the referee’s decision in a hearing before the commission conducted in accordance with section 3773.52 of the Revised Code.

(D) No person shall hold or conduct a boxing match or exhibition unless three licensed judges appointed by the commission and paid by the person are present. Each judge shall render a decision at the end of each match or exhibition. The judges shall determine the outcome of the match or exhibition, and their decision shall be final.

(E) Each contestant in a boxing match or exhibition shall wear gloves weighing not less than six ounces during the boxing match or exhibition.

Effective Date: 03-31-2003