QuestionsQuestions (GAB)
Under the Rules, a “Promoter” is any person/entity engaged in promotion of boxing; a “License” is the privilege granted for professional boxing practice (by GAB) to a qualified person; a “Permit” is the written authorization issued by the Board to hold a boxing contest.
License applicants (except boxers under specified exceptions in the text) must certify they have not been convicted of crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code or other penal statutes/decrees. Licenses must be renewed annually not later than the last day of February; late renewal carries a penalty of 50% of the basic fee, unless the last day falls on a non-working day/holiday, in which case renewal is allowed without penalty on the next working day.
No contest/exhibition may be held without a permit issued by the Board. The permit fee is P200.00.
The promoter must (1) deposit cash/certified check equivalent to one-half of one percent (0.5%) of estimated gross receipts based on full sitting capacity (including film/radio/TV earnings); (2) post a cash bond/certified check payable upon demand to cover aggregate purse of the boxers less advances not exceeding 33 1/3% of the purse; and (3) post a cash bond/certified check to cover compensation of referees, stadium physicians, announcers, timekeepers, and other compensated officials.
Examples include ensuring peaceful/orderly fights with appropriate law enforcement contacts; submitting the complete card for approval at least 10 days before; submitting contracts and ticket printer affidavit; obtaining the permit at least 5 days before; limiting boxer substitutions to Board-approved requests filed within 3 days; not allowing additional bouts without Board approval; paying purses promptly (immediately after contest, or after Board determination for percentage-based purses, but not more than 30 days); submitting post-contest receipts/expenditures and reporting results; and paying the Board its 1% share within 10 days.
First offense: suspension of 6 months. Second offense: revocation of the promoter’s license.
At least 66 2/3% of the boxer’s purse is retained by the promoter. The promoter must deposit with the Board within 48 hours 66 2/3% of the boxer’s purse for cases when the boxer participated in a “no-contest” bout or violated contract terms/conditions.
A promoter shall not release publicity on any contest without prior consultation and written approval of the Board.
Purse payments must be made to the duly recognized manager accredited by the Board, or to the boxer himself if he has no recognized manager. Boxers may not “cut back” any part to managers/officials/promoters/matchmakers; such cut-back is prohibited unless a boxer orders it (as described in the text). Winner-take-all purse arrangements are not sanctioned by the Board.
Promoters are prohibited from contracting with unlicensed managers and boxers. If a boxer has a duly licensed manager, contracts not bearing the signature of that manager are null and void, except in specified cases (e.g., pending case before the Board requiring deposit for safekeeping; manager not duly licensed for current year—boxer may sign; and non-appearance leading to suspension). All contracts/options/agreements must be registered and approved by the Board at least 10 days before the contest, with limits on options (no option for more than one contest; no longer than 6 months).
Non-appearance of any boxer means suspension of 6 months; second offense means revocation of his license.
Contests shall be made only by a licensed matchmaker with no connection to any boxer or stable of boxers. The matchmaker must ensure boxers are evenly matched in ability and weight and that styles are suitable and conducive to an interesting contest approved by the GAB matchmaker.
Manager-boxer contracts must be registered, filed, and approved by the Board before the manager signs (registration fee P50). They must have a definite term not exceeding 5 years, renewable by mutual consent; for a new boxer, maximum of 8 years. Contracts must use the prescribed form prepared by the Board; they may be cancelled for cause by the Board; minors (under 18) require signature by parent/legal guardian; releases must be notarized and filed/approved by the Board.
A manager must be at least 21 years old; completed high school in a government-recognized school; able to read and write; honest and of good moral character; provide ID photos and signature specimens; and submit a copy of latest income tax return, NBI/police clearance.
A licensed boxer unable to take part due to illness/injury must immediately report to the Board and submit to examination by a physician designated by the Board.
Non-championship: weigh-in in presence of each other/representatives and/or a Board official from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. the day before the contest; boxers have until 6:00 p.m. the same day to make the stipulated weight. Championship: if a champion fails to make required weight, he automatically loses the championship; outcomes depend on whether the overweight former champion wins or the challenger makes weight; if the challenger comes in over the limit, the contest becomes a non-title contest.
Fouls include hitting below the belt, holding and hitting, kidney/rabbit punches, butting, thumbing, elbow/knee use, wrestling, hitting downed opponents, hitting partly out of ring, clinch holding, back-hand blows, going down without being hit to avoid blow, tampering/glove misuse, abusive language, and other injurious tricks. Penalties include point reduction or disqualification; a boxer losing on a foul is automatically suspended at least 30 days. The “no-foul” rule means a boxer cannot claim victory by asserting a foul; if low blow is unintentional, points may be deducted and the fouled boxer may get rest periods; if unable/refuses after second rest, loses by technical knockout.