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This report addresses issues related to the
Arizona State Boxing Commission (Commission) and the Arizona Department of
Racing’s (Department) efforts to regulate and collect revenues from boxing and
other fighting contests held in Arizona. The Commission licenses boxers,
promoters, referees, judges, and others associated with boxing, oversees boxing
events, and is responsible for enforcing rules and statutes, and resolving
complaints. The Department is responsible for collecting boxing
license fees and other revenues owed to the State.
This report includes findings and
recommendations in three areas:
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The Commission needs to do more to fulfill
its mission to provide for both the physical and financial protection of all
boxing participants. First, the Commission needs to better ensure all
boxers meet minimum physical requirements prior to licensure. For many
licensees, the Commission’s files lacked documentation of required annual
physical examinations, negative HIV tests, and special permission for
over-age boxers. Second, the Commission needs to better ensure event
safety requirements are met, such as pre-event physicals for boxers and
referees, and more frequent random drug testing. Finally, more can be
done to protect boxers’ financial interests, such as increasing the
minimum medical and life insurance coverage promoters provide to boxers for
injuries sustained during matches.
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Auditors found that while there have been
some improvements to the boxing revenue collection process in recent years,
some problems continue. Promoters are now required to obtain cash or
surety bonds to guarantee payment of required state event taxes, and the
Department issues noncompliance letters to promoters, and the Commission in
some cases, when they fail to comply with requirements. However, the
Department formally notified the Commission of only 6 of the 22 promoter
violations auditors identified for events held in fiscal year 2000.
Additionally, the Commission has not taken formal action against promoters
for revenue-related violations.
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Finally, the report recommends that the
Commission should have the authority to regulate all nontraditional and
tough man contests in Arizona, regardless of their amateur or professional
status. Regulating all such events would better ensure the safety of
all participants and increase the State’s revenues.
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