Title
Regulation of Boxing Exhibitions in the Philippines
Law
Act No. 2984
Decision Date
Feb 23, 1921
A law passed in 1921 in the Philippines regulates and governs sparring or boxing exhibitions, requiring organizers to comply with rules, pay taxes, obtain licenses, and follow specific guidelines for the conduct of the fights, with penalties for violations.
A

Taxation and Payment Procedures

  • Annual privilege tax of six hundred pesos must be paid by every promoter, club, corporation, or organization involved in sparring or boxing.
  • Tax payments are made quarterly in advance to the Collector of Internal Revenue or deputy.
  • Additional municipal taxes may be imposed by local ordinances.

Licensing Requirements and Issuance

  • Licenses issued by municipal authorities upon application.
  • Application must be signed by the organizer or authorized representative.
  • Proof of tax payment is mandatory for issuance.

License Revocation Grounds

  • Licenses can be revoked upon proof of violation of any provisions of the Act.

Regulations on Boxing Events

  • Exhibitions are limited to once a week and only on Saturdays.
  • Matches:
    • Maximum of 20 rounds, each lasting no more than 3 minutes.
    • One-minute interval between rounds.
    • Gloves must weigh at least four ounces.
  • Ring specifications:
    • Square shape with minimum dimensions of sixteen feet per side.
    • Canvas-covered floor with at least half-inch padding.
    • Minimum of three strong ropes around the ring.

Boxer Conduct and Equipment Provisions

  • Boxers must separate when brought together, no clinching or hugging.
  • Prohibition of head or shoulder butting, wrestling, improper elbow use, and unsportsmanlike conduct.
  • Use of abusive or insulting language is unsportsmanlike.
  • Dangerous blows below the abdomen are forbidden.
  • Use only soft, dry bandages/tape, 2 inches wide and 20 feet long.
  • No foreign objects are allowed inside hand tape.

Official Personnel Requirements

  • Events must have an official physician and referees knowledgeable in boxing.
  • Official physician must be licensed to practice medicine in the Philippines.

Medical Examination of Boxers

  • Pre-fight physical examination by the club's physician.
  • Written certification of fitness to compete is required.

Fraudulent Exhibitions and License Cancellation

  • Any involvement in feigned, simulated, or fraudulent fights leads to license cancellation.
  • Cancellation is final and bars future licensing under the Act.

Penalties for Boxers in Fraudulent Matches

  • First offense: One-year suspension from boxing, fines between 200 to 1,000 pesos, or imprisonment up to six months, or both.
  • Repeat offense: Permanent ban from boxing, fines between 500 to 2,000 pesos, or imprisonment up to one year, or both.

Disqualifications for Conduct Violations

  • Violation of rule on separating (section 6(a)) results in temporary disqualification not exceeding six months.
  • Other conduct violations (section 6 except 6(a)) result in permanent disqualification.

Prohibition on Fight Manipulation

  • Offering or receiving money/gifts to induce a boxer to lose or restrain efforts is punishable.
  • Penalty: Fine from 200 to 1,000 pesos, imprisonment up to six months, or both.

Exemption for Amateur Societies

  • No tax required for exhibitions held under amateur athletic societies with no admission fees or compensation charged.

Prohibition of Betting

  • Direct or intermediary betting on boxing results is illegal.
  • Penalty: Fine up to 200 pesos or imprisonment up to six months, or both.
  • All wagered money is confiscated.

General Penalties for Other Violations

  • Violations without specified penalties incur fines from 5 to 100 pesos.

Repeal of Previous Laws

  • Repeals Act No. 557 and other inconsistent provisions relating to prize fighting and boxing.

Effectivity

  • The Act becomes effective immediately upon approval.

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