The Association of Boxing Commissions held their Annual Conference from July 24-28, 2007 at the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming Casino in Miami, Florida. There were thirty three states and tribes and over one hundred and twenty five participants present. Indiana was represented by commission members John McCane and Jacob Hall. Tim Lueckenhoff, from Missouri, was re-elected as the President.

Indiana asked that the 2009 Conference come to Caesars of Indiana. We did not get the 2009 Conference but many commissions are interested in coming in 2010. The 2008 Convention will be held in Montreal and the 2009 Convention will be held in New Orleans.

Jose Sulaiman, President of the WBC, addressed the meeting to discuss the WBC new open scoring after the fourth and eighth rounds in championship bouts. The ABC voted to not use open scoring at this time. There was much discussion on regulating both amateur and professional mixed martial arts events by the state and tribal commissions. Bruce Spizler, Chairman of the ABC Legal Committee, said unless MMA is authorized by the jurisdiction in which it takes place, and there is compliance with the regulatory requirements attendant to the law, MMA is not legal in that jurisdiction and should not take place.

It was suggested that a boxer who once was HIV, Hep. B, Hep. C positive should be tested at a location recommended by the ABC Ringside Physicians Committee rather than go to individual states and tribes.

Attorney Pat English discussed a lawsuit involving a fighter on a medical suspension and based on that lawsuit, Indiana will no longer approve fight permits with fighters listed on the ABC suspension list.

Don Hazelton from the Miccosukee Boxing Commission presented a very good session on inspector training. Commissioner McCane requested a copy of the VCR and is going to schedule a workshop for our Indiana inspectors.

8-2-2007