Arizona State Boxing Commission

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:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.