Amending the Rules and Regulations Governing Professional Boxing in the Philippines

February 22, 2017

GAB RESOLUTION NO. 002-17

AMENDING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING PROFESSIONAL BOXING IN THE PHILIPPINES

QUOTED hereunder is the Resolution adopted by the Board during its 2nd Regular Meeting for CY 2017 held on February 22, 2017, to wit:

WHEREAS, the Board, after consultation with stakeholders, made thorough deliberations on certain proposed amendments to the 2016 Rules and Regulations Governing Professional Boxing in the Philippines; HTcADC

WHEREAS, the Board deemed it proper to amend the 2016 Rules and Regulations Governing Professional Boxing in the Philippines to better serve its purpose of promoting and developing professional boxing in the country and ensuring the safety and welfare of professional boxers.

NOW, therefore, be it RESOLVED, as it is hereby RESOLVED that certain provisions of the 2016 Rules and Regulations Governing Professional Boxing in the Philippines shall be amended and now read as follows:

"ARTICLE 2. LICENSES AND FEES

2.1. Requirements

The following shall be the requirements for the issuance of professional licenses:

A. Boxers

Administrative requirements:

a. Filled-up application form;

b. Three (3) pieces colored photo (2x2);

c. Birth Certificate for NEW boxers;

d. Notarized Parental Consent for MINORS who must NOT be below 16 years old; and

e. Certificate of training from GAB-licensed trainer.

f. For Foreigners, Special Work Permit from the Bureau of Immigration and Boxing Record and License Card from country of origin.

The applicant shall be in no case more than twenty five (25) years old for new boxers and thirty (30) years old for comebacking boxers. The Chairman or his authorized member of the Board or representative may, in the exercise of sound discretion, approve the application for a license of a boxer who is beyond the abovementioned age limits. CAIHTE

Medical Requirements:

a) Chest x-ray (PA view);

b) 12 leads ECG

c) Drug testing for THC (Marijuana) and Metamphetamine (Shabu)

d) Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HepBsAg)

- quantitative exam (ex. Elisa Method) for all new licensees and comebacking boxers with previously positive results

- qualitative exam for renewals

e) CT Scan of the Brain

- mandatory for all new licensees and renewals

- for boxers who suffer loss of consciousness during or after the fight

f) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

- mandatory for all licensees after 5 years of continuous practice of their profession and comebacking boxers with more than 5 years continuous practice prior to their hiatus.

g) Gynecological history and pregnancy test for female boxers

h) All professional boxers, whether new or applying for renewal of license, shall undergo and pass complete medical examinations by the Board physician or by a GAB-licensed physician.

B. Managers

Requirements:

a) Filled-up application form;

b) Three (3) pieces colored photo (2x2);

c) Recent Income Tax Return;

d) NBI or Police clearance;

e) Contract with licensed boxer; and

f) For Foreigners, Special Work Permit from the Bureau of Immigration.

C. Promoters

Requirements:

a) Filled up application form;

b) Three (3) pieces colored photo (2x2);

c) Recent Income Tax Return;

d) NBI or Police clearance; and

e) For Foreigners, Special Work Permit from the Bureau of Immigration. aScITE

D. Matchmakers

Requirements:

a) Filled-up application form;

b) Three (3) pieces colored photo (2x2); and

c) Knowledge of boxers' ability and records.

E. Trainers and Seconds

Administrative requirements:

a) Filled-up application form;

b) Three (3) pieces colored photo (2x2);

c) Certification from affiliated boxing gym; and

d) Must attend orientation from GAB-authorized representative.

Medical requirements:

a) Chest x-ray;

b) 12 leads ECG;

c) Drug testing for THC and metamphetamine;

d) Hepatitis B Surface Antigen.

F. Judges

Administrative requirements:

a) Filled-up application form;

b) Three (3) pieces colored photo (2x2);

c) Must pass the written examination given by GAB-authorized representative;

d) Must undergo minimum of five (5) sessions of actual apprenticeship (unofficial judging).

Medical Requirements:

a) Eye Refraction from an Optometrist.

G. Referees

Administrative requirements:

a) Filled-up application form;

b) Three (3) pieces colored photo (2x2);

c) Must pass the written examination given by GAB-authorized representative; and

d) Must undergo apprenticeship.

Medical Requirements: DETACa

a) Chest x-ray (PA view)

b) 12 leads ECG

c) Drug testing for THC and metamphetamine

H. Ring Physicians

Requirements:

a) Filled-up application form;

b) Three (3) pieces colored photo (2x2); and

c) Updated license from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

I. Announcers

Requirements:

a) Filled-up application form;

b) Three (3) pieces colored photo (2x2); and

c) Must attend orientation from GAB-authorized representative

J. Timekeeper

Requirements:

a) Filled-up application form;

b) Three (3) pieces colored photo (2x2); and

c) Must attend orientation from GAB-authorized representative

2.2. Procedures

a) All professional licensees shall submit to the Board their complete addresses, telephone numbers, and other contact information. They shall also submit the complete address, telephone number, and other contact information of any member of their family or next of kin;

b) All requests for any laboratory test or diagnostic procedure shall be issued by the GAB Medical Section and should bear the applicant's picture and signature; and

c) All medical examinations shall be conducted by medical clinics/laboratories or hospitals that are duly accredited by the Department of Health (DOH);

2.3. Fees

The following fees shall be imposed (DOF-DBM Joint Circular No. 2-04):

LICENSE	FEES	LRF FEE
Promoter	P1,000.00	P10.00
Manager	1,000.00	10.00
Boxer
a) 4 to 6 rounder	150.00	10.00
b) 8 rounder	500.00	10.00
c) 10 rounder	750.00	10.00
Judge	300.00	10.00
Referee	500.00	10.00
Matchmaker	500.00	10.00
Trainer	300.00	10.00
Second	300.00	10.00
Ring Physician	300.00	10.00
Timekeeper	150.00	10.00
Announcer	300.00	10.00
Boxer's Managers Contract Registration Fee	100.00

2.4. Validity

The license of professional boxers shall be valid for one (1) year which must be renewed on or before the birthday of the licensee. All other licenses shall be valid for two (2) years subject to payment of license fees equivalent to two (2) years. Said licenses must be renewed on or before the birthday of the licensees. HEITAD

All licenses issued for the year 2016 shall remain valid up to the birthday of the licensee in 2017. Thereafter, renewals shall be made as provided above.

In all the above cases, a penalty of fifty percent (50%) of the basic license fee shall be imposed on late renewals.

ARTICLE 3. PERMITS AND FEES

No boxing contest or exhibition shall be held without a permit issued by the Chairman or authorized Member of the Board or representative.

The following permit fees shall be imposed (DOF-DBM Joint Circular No. 2-04):

PERMIT	FEES	LRF
Local Fights	P500.00	P10.00
International and Regional Fights held in the Philippines	1,000.00	10.00

3.1. Requirements for Boxing Permit

The promoter shall file an application and submit the following requirements for the issuance of boxing permit to the GAB at least ten (10) days before the date of the contest:

a) Letter Request;

b) Complete Fight Card; and

c) Official Bout Contracts.

No application for permit shall be accepted involving unlicensed boxers or those with expired license at the time of the application, unless otherwise provided in this Rules. aDSIHc

3.2. Pre-approval of Matches

To ensure that upcoming promotions will not be disapproved on the basis of mismatched boxers, the promoter may apply for pre-approval of individual matches. The application shall be filed with the Boxing and Other Contact Sports Division not earlier than sixty (60) days but not later than ten (10) days before the contest, for pre-approval by the Chairman or authorized Member of the Board or representative. Pre-approved matches shall be valid for sixty (60) days from pre-approval.

3.3. Provisional Submission through E-mail

For purposes of applying for new licenses or renewal thereof prior to the contest/bout, submission of medical requirements of boxers may be made through e-mail, provided that:

i. The e-mail shall be received by the GAB at least fifteen (15) days before the date of the contest;

ii. The original copies shall be submitted to and received by the GAB not later than ten (10) days before the contest; and

iii. The medical examination results from the medical clinic/laboratories or hospital where the boxer had his/her examination have been counter-checked by the GAB Medical Section.

3.4. Substitution of Boxers

Substitution of boxers slated to fight in main or title bouts shall not be allowed unless a written application is submitted to and received by the GAB at least five (5) days before the scheduled weigh-in.

In meritorious cases and subject to the sound discretion of the Chairman or authorized Member of the Board or representative, substitution of boxers in supporting or undercard bouts may be allowed provided that the written application for substitution is submitted not later than the day of the weigh-in.

In all cases of substitution, the substitute boxer shall already be duly licensed at the time of application for substitution. Furthermore, an affidavit or certification duly subscribed and sworn to before a Notary Public by the trainer of the substitute boxer concerned, attesting to the fact that the said boxer has adequately trained and is fit to fight, shall be attached to the application for substitution.

3.5. Additional Bouts

In meritorious cases and subject to the sound discretion of the Chairman or authorized Member of the Board or representative, additional supporting bouts or undercards may be added to approved fight cards provided that the written application for additional bouts is submitted to and received by GAB not later than five (5) days before the weigh-in. ATICcS

In all cases of additional bouts, the boxers slated therein shall already be duly licensed at the time of application for additional bouts. Furthermore, an affidavit or certification duly subscribed and sworn to before a Notary Public by the trainer of the said boxer, attesting to the fact that the said boxer has adequately trained and is fit to fight, shall be attached to the application for additional bouts.

3.6. Cash Deposit

The promoter shall submit on or before the boxing contest a cash deposit, to cover the equivalent of three percent (3%) of the estimated gross receipts based on the printed tickets or the seating capacity of the venue and income from television and cable networks rights, if any.

The promoter shall submit to the Board the printer's affidavit containing the number, classification and prices of tickets printed. In case of boxing promotion with TV coverage, the promoter shall also submit the TV contracts thereon to the Board. Within three (3) days after the fight, the promoter shall submit a report of actual tickets sold for purposes of accounting.

No application to hold contests filed by a delinquent promoter shall be accepted or given due course, unless he settles his/her obligations incurred in connection with his/her previous promotions.

ARTICLE 4. PROMOTER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

The following shall be the responsibilities of a promoter:

(a) To provide adequate security personnel to ensure peaceful and orderly fights. For the said purpose, he shall contact the government authorities and local police of the town or city where the contest will be held and notify them of the boxing match;

(b) To ensure that a hospital within the province, with sufficient capability and adequate facilities, has agreed to render immediate medical assistance in case of injury to the boxers. The name of the hospital shall be furnished to the GAB prior to the promotion;

(c) To provide a standby ambulance at the boxing venue which must contain adequate medical equipments and manned by trained emergency personnel/paramedics to aid the ringside physician in the event of injury to the boxers; ETHIDa

(d) To provide a stretcher, portable oxygen, and other first aid kit at the ringside;

(e) To furnish new gloves for all championship contests;

(f) To provide sufficient number of water buckets, fans, powdered resin for canvas, stools for seconds and such other articles as are required in the conduct of the contests. A bucket used by a boxer shall not be used again until it has been washed and cleaned;

(g) To ensure that the boxers' purses are paid immediately after the contest;

(h) To submit to the Board the unsold tickets of the contest as additional basis for the computation of the three percent (3%) share of the Board. Unsold tickets will only be considered if returned within ten (10) days after the promotion; and

(i) To pay the three percent (3%) share of the Board within ten (10) days after the date of the promotion.

ARTICLE 15. WEIGHING AT NON-CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTS

Boxers shall be weighed in the presence of each other or his/her representative and before an official of the GAB not less than 24 hours but not more than 38 hours before the contest. No weigh-in shall be conducted without a GAB representative.

A boxer who fails to make the stipulated weight shall be given an extension of two (2) hours to make the weight. Otherwise, the following rules shall apply:

a) A boxer shall be allowed an excess of one (1) pound over or below the stipulated weight without penalties;

b) A boxer who is overweight by more than one (1) pound but not more than two (2) pounds over the stipulated weight shall forfeit ten percent (10%) of his or her purse to be given to his or her opponent who made the weight including the allowance stated in the preceding paragraph;

c) An additional five percent (5%) shall be deducted to the purse of the overweight boxer for every excess pound thereafter and shall be given to his or her opponent who made the weight including the allowance;

d) If both boxers are overweight, no penalty shall be applied;

e) In addition, the overweight boxer shall be required to use handicap gloves which shall weigh: TIADCc

From Minimum-weight to Lightweight	10 ounces
From Super-Lightweight and up	12 ounces

f) In no case shall the boxers' weight difference be more than:

Mini-Flyweight		3 lbs.
Light-Flyweight		4 lbs.
Flyweight	112 lbs.	5 lbs.
Bantamweight	118 lbs.	6 lbs.
Featherweight	126 lbs.	8 lbs.
Lightweight	135 lbs.	9 lbs.
Welterweight	147 lbs.	12 lbs.
Middleweight	160 lbs.	13 lbs.
Light-heavyweight	175 lbs.	15 lbs.
Cruiser-weight	195 lbs.	20 lbs.
Heavyweight	Over 195 lbs.	No limitation

ARTICLE 16. WEIGHING AT CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTS

Boxers shall be weighed in the presence of each other or his/her representative and before an official of the GAB not less than 24 hours but not more than 38 hours before the contest. No weigh-in shall be conducted without a GAB representative.

A boxer who fails to make the stipulated weight shall be given an extension of two (2) hours to make the weight. Otherwise, the following rules shall apply:

a) If the champion is overweight and wins, the title becomes vacant;

b) If the champion is overweight and loses, the challenger who makes the weight becomes the champion;

c) If the champion makes the weight but the challenger is overweight, the contest shall be considered a non-title fight and the champion shall retain the title regardless of who wins the fight;

d) If both the champion and the challenger fail to make the weight, the title shall be declared vacant and the contest shall be considered a non-title fight.

ARTICLE 23. AUTHORITY TO TRAVEL ABROAD

Before a professional Filipino boxer may be allowed to engage in a title or non-title fight abroad, he must secure a written Authority to Fight signed by the Chairman or his authorized Member of the Board or representative. The written Authority to Fight shall be presented by the boxer to the boxing body, commission, or federation of the foreign country.

Those persons who bring boxers abroad without the written authority or approval from the GAB shall be blacklisted and declared as illegal recruiters. cSEDTC

Generally, only boxers who are rated from 1-15 by the GAB Ratings Committee and who have at least two (2) wins in their last three (3) fights, without counting the draws, may be authorized to fight abroad.

All applications of Filipino boxers for authority to fight abroad must be filed in writing with the Board not less than ten (10) days prior to the Filipino boxers' departure for the venue of the fight and must be supported by:

a. Boxer's fight contract stating the name of his/her opponent, date, time, and place of fight, the number of rounds of fights, the purse, and the name of the promoter. A scanned copy or photocopy of the duly executed fight contract may be submitted to the Board, provided that the original copy thereof shall be submitted not later than ten (10) days after the fight. Otherwise, an administrative sanction will be imposed upon the licensee;

b. Complete medical requirements which include the following:

i. Urinalysis

ii. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

iii. Recent CT Scan of the Brain (not more than one (1) year at the time of application)

iv. HIV Test, Hepatitis C, MRI or Other laboratory examination if required by the host country.

c. Official, authenticated and original Boxer's Medical Report Abroad (MRA) form which must be filled in and submitted to the Board upon his return;

d. Passport copy of the boxer and his/her accompanying persons such as managers, trainers, promoters or the boxer's duly authorized representatives requesting clearances to fight in and/or travel to foreign countries;

e. Affidavit or certification duly subscribed and sworn to before a Notary Public by the trainer or manager attesting to the fact that the said boxer has adequately trained and is fit to fight; and

f. Affidavit of Undertaking duly subscribed and sworn to before a Notary Public wherein boxers and accompanying persons promise to return to the Philippines after the conclusion of the fight.

Applicants for Letter of Endorsement shall personally present themselves before any Representative of the Board at least ten (10) days prior to the date of their departure. The application for Letter of Endorsement shall be supported by the invitation from the sanctioning body concerned and the fight contract. The said applicants must be holders of GAB licenses for at least two (2) years prior to the date of the scheduled fight and must be active in their profession; otherwise, the application shall be subject to evaluation by the Chairman or his authorized member of the Board or representative upon submission of a duly notarized affidavit of undertaking. AIDSTE

Violation of the provisions of the Affidavit of Undertaking shall be sufficient ground for the cancellation of the guilty boxers' and/or accompanying persons' GAB-issued license and/or such other penalty as may be imposed by the Board.

23.1. World-Rated Boxer

A Filipino boxer who is included in the rankings of the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) from 1-10 is considered world-rated and need not be included in the Philippine rankings to apply for a travel authority to fight abroad. The Board, in the exercise of its sound discretion, may approve or authorize boxers who are not world-rated but are rated by regional boxing bodies under the aforementioned four (4) major organizations to fight or spar abroad.

Current World and Regional Champions may be allowed to travel abroad to defend their title whether or not they won two (2) out of their last three (3) fights.

23.2. Fights In Japan

Six (6) rounder boxers who are not rated may be allowed to fight in Japan subject to the following conditions:

a) The Filipino boxer and his opponent are equally matched based on their ring record;

b) He has not lost by KO/TKO in his last fight;

c) He has fought in the last six (6) months; and

d) Favorable recommendation from the GAB Boxing and Other Contact Sports Division.

23.3. Unrated Boxers

In the meantime that there is no rating for female boxers, the Board, in the exercise of its sound discretion, may authorize female boxers to fight abroad, provided that they comply with all the other applicable requirements for the application for Authority to Fight.

The Board, in the exercise of its sound discretion, may likewise authorize boxers whose weight classes have no ratings at the time of application to fight abroad subject to the other applicable requirements for the application for Authority to Fight. The same rule shall apply to unrated boxers fighting in World Youth or Regional Youth Championship contests.

In all cases, the Board shall evaluate the boxing records of the boxer-applicant and his opponent before approving the application for Authority to Fight. SDAaTC

23.4. Sparring Abroad

A professional boxer who will engage in sparring sessions abroad shall secure authority from the Board, subject to the same qualifications under Article 23, 23.1, 23.2, or 23.3 hereof, except for the two (2) wins out of last three (3) fights requirement.

A professional boxer who has previously fought in a boxing contest shall observe at least fifteen (15) days rest period and shall be subject to medical evaluation by the GAB Medical Section.

23.5. Boxing Officials Travelling Abroad

All ring officials officiating in boxing contests abroad must be duly licensed by the GAB at the time of such contest, otherwise, they shall be blacklisted.

ARTICLE 27. INTERVAL BETWEEN CONTESTS

As a general rule, all boxers shall observe a mandatory rest period of forty five (45) days regardless of the actual number of rounds of their fight.

The Board, in the exercise of its sound discretion, may reduce the forty five (45) days rest period to not less than thirty (30) days, subject to the following conditions:

a) Medical clearance from the GAB Medical Section which may require additional medical examinations;

b) Had won in his/her last fight; and

c) His last fight was an easy fight or light punishment as per the official boxing result/report submitted by the GAB Supervisors

A boxer who suffers a knockout (KO) or technical knockout (TKO) as a result of body punch is required to rest for a minimum of sixty (60) days before he/she is allowed to compete again.

A boxer who suffers a knockout (KO) or technical knockout (TKO) as a result of head punch is required to rest for a minimum of ninety (90) days. Before such boxer is allowed to fight again, a thorough physical examination must be conducted by the GAB Medical Section or GAB licensed physician.

A boxer who suffers loss of consciousness during or after the fight or received serious concussion shall be required to have a thorough physical examination by the GAB Medical Section or GAB licensed physician and a CT-Scan in addition to the applicable rest period before he/she will be allowed to fight again." AaCTcI

SO RESOLVED.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands this 22nd day of February, 2017 at the City of Makati, Philippines.

APPROVED:

(SGD.) ABRAHAM KAHLIL B. MITRAChairman

(SGD.) EDUARD B. TRINIDADCommissioner

(SGD.) MATTHEW P. GASTONCommissioner

ATTESTED:

(SGD.) OFELINA C. ARTUGUEChief Administrative Officer

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 113, No. 27, pp. 4902-4911 on July 3, 2017.