First, in the absence of state or tribal authorization for the sport of MMA to take place in its respective sovereignty, such activity is illegal.  If there is such legal authorization, the regulation of MMA may be delegated to a private entity, if so authorized by law/regulation.  This may occur more frequently in amateur MMA, as opposed to professional MMA; as, unlike boxing, where there is a "nationally recognized organization" which regulates amateur boxing (USA Boxing), there is no such "nationally recognized" organization which regulates amateur MMA. Accordingly, certain safeguards should be applied if the regulation of MMA is delegated to a private entity.  First and foremost, the private entity should be wholly devoid of any conflict of interest, or the appearance of any conflict of interest, when regulating MMA.  Thus, a private entity regulating MMA should have no financial interest in:  (1) any MMA contestant; or (2) the promotion of any MMA contests.  Such a glaring conflict of interest should, in and of itself, disqualify the private entity from regulating an MMA contest.  Second, the private entity should administer and enforce MMA regulations which are promulgated or endorsed by the state or tribal sovereignty in which the activity is taking place.

           On behalf of the ABC, the ABC Legal Committee opines that its interest in the regulation of the sport of MMA is three-fold:  safety; safety; safety.  

2.  Local Canadian boxing commissions as full, voting members of the ABC. 

          Currently, pursuant to the ABC Constitution/Bylaws, local Canadian boxing commissions are "associate" members of the ABC; and, as such, the local Canadian boxing commissions are without voting rights.  It has been proposed, with such a proposal to be fully discussed at the 2008 annual meeting of the ABC, that a local Canadian boxing commission be granted full ABC membership, with full voting rights; provided the local Canadian boxing commission agrees, in writing, to fully comply with all of the provisions of the U.S. federal law governing professional boxing [Professional Boxers Safety Act of 1996 and the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, codified as 15 USC §6301, et seq.] including, specifically, full compliance with the "Conflict of Interest" provisions [15 USC §6308]. 

          While such a measure must be voted on, and approved, by the ABC membership, the ABC Legal Committee opines and reiterates that a mandatory prerequisite to such membership is the need for a sworn written affirmation from a local Canadian boxing commission that neither it, nor any of its members or employees, presently or prospectively, belongs to, contracts with, or receives any compensation from any person who sanctions, arranges, or promotes professional boxing matches, or otherwise has a financial interest in an active boxer.  With such assurances in place, and continued monitoring of the same, the granting of full membership to a local Canadian boxing commission appears to be consistent with the goals of the ABC.

3.  Tommy Morrison 

          The ABC Legal Committee reviewed the "open" letter sent by President Tim Lueckenhoff to Mr. Jose Sulaiman, Chairman, World Boxing Council, regarding boxer Tommy Morrison participating in a four round boxing contest, as part of the undercard for a boxing show entitled "Latin Fury" which featured a bout between Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. v. Jose Celaya for the WBC "Continental Americas" light middleweight title, in Guanajuato, Mexico on 2/16/08 (letter attached).  In light of Mr. Sulaiman's suggestion that such a bout was proper considering "countless boxers from Mexico have gone and still keep going on to fight in the United States while they have been medically suspended in Mexico," the ABC is extending efforts to meet with a national association of Mexican boxing commissions known as "Fedcombox" in an effort to ensure the accurate reporting of boxing results, and suspensions, for fighters who participate in both Mexico and the United States.

4.  Efforts of Greg Sirb 

          The ABC Legal Committee reviewed the actions, and acknowledged the diligence, of Past President and ABC Legal Committee member Greg Sirb regarding the following matters:  

          a.  Boxer Saoul Mamby (age 60 and currently on "administrative suspension" from North Carolina) and Iran Barkley (age 48 who hasn't fought since 1999 and is reputed to have "eye problems") being scheduled to participate in separate bouts on a fight card being regulated by the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho on 2/23/08.  As a result of Mr. Sirb's efforts, neither bout occurred. 

          b.  A "open" letter written by Mr. Sirb to Jose Sulaiman, President, WBC regarding the impropriety of the WBC taking $25,000 from boxer Kelly Pavlik as a "fee" for Pavlik participating in a non-sanctioned, non-championship bout against Jermain Taylor at the "catch weight" of 166.