Washington, DC- In a move that was long expected here, the United States Senate on Monday gave its approval to a proposal to go forward with legislation that would create and impanel a three-man Federal Boxing Commission that would govern the sport. Authored by Arizona Senator John McCain, the man who penned the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, this will be an amendment to that 1996 Federal law.
ARE YOU AND BOXING READY FOR THE ?USBC??
According to Sen. McCain?s office, the United States Boxing Commission is an attempt to restore integrity and improve the badly maligned image the sport has in the eyes of a majority of people. The ?voice? vote approving the measure will establish licensing guidelines for managers and boxers, (not promoters?). And it is intended protect and improve boxer safety.
COMPUTER DATABASE ON EVERYBODY IN BOXING
McCain said he wants to insure fair financial treatment of boxers. There will be guidelines that include a national computer base of boxing ?personnel,? and a medical database as well. The ranking of boxers will be done in a fair and uniform manner and will also be controlled by the Commission. Be advised, that last sentence is a deathblow to sanctioning bodies like the WBC, IBF, WBA, WBO, etc.
STANDARDS ON JUDGES AND REFEREES AS WELL!
One piece of the legislation will force promoters to use only approved referees and judges on cards. If the officials are not USBC approved and licensed, their services cannot be utilized at all. An ambulance and a ringside MD, this is also part of the proposed law. Besides being common sense, it would insure that fighters like Greg Page won?t have to lay critically wounded as he did in Louisville years ago for better than 15 minutes for the paramedics to arrive. The House will next vote on the matter. Should they approve, and I think they will, the President?s signature won?t be too far behind.
A PERFECT WEEKEND WITH PEDRO?S PICKS!
If you followed ?Pedro?s Schedule, Odds, & Predictions for the weekend, you went a perfect seven for seven! Check out the entire month of May by clicking on the following link. This is not for gambling! (LOL) Click here> http://www.ringtalk.com/news/view_article.asp?id=337&cat=4
