Boxing Commission lays down the law

 By Buster Laing
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Special to The FN The Bahamas Boxing Commission was in town recently and the full Commission came to do business here in the second city, and high on the agenda was to put to rest once and for all, any questions about the Commssion's role in a popular boxing/entertainment event which is held at a popular night club. The event has become one of the hottest boxing tickets in town. The event is dubbed "Fight Night." One of the aspects of the event that has made it so popular is that it features female boxers. "We are in Freeport to educate and inform those persons who are contemplating holding a boxing match and advise them that there are rules governing the sport of boxing in The Bahamas, and that they are to consult with the Bahamas' Boxing Commission because there is a process for a fight to be promoted, " said Chairman of the BBC, Pat Strachan. "We are not here to be offensive, we are just here to educate and inform and we would like those persons to get in contact with The Bahamas Boxing Commission, so that they may be advised on the requirements to promote a fight in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas." The Boxing Commission consists of seven individuals from various backgrounds. They are Pat Strachan (Chairman), Fred Sturrup (Secretary), Dr. Munir Rashad (Medical Committee chairman), Officials Committee Chairman Fernley Palmer, Commissioners: James Tynes, Paul Moxey, Richard Deveaux ...are all of the Commission. Dr. Rashad, who chairs the medical committee said unsanctioned events can be "extremely dangerous" and Professional boxing in The Bahamas requires prefight physicals, a doctor at ringside, verified weigh-ins and other types of inspections. "With so much things happening in Grand Bahama we figure that it is almost necessary now and then to come into Grand Bahamas and pass on rules and regulations and educate the people of rules and regulations they may not be familiar with on a regular basis," said Secretary Fred Sturrup. "We have found out that there have been some boxing matches and promotion of boxing matches and we really don't think that the ones who are promoting the event are keenly aware that in 1990 the Boxing rules Act came into play and that it is the law of the land." According to Sturrup, whenever you contravene the Boxing rules act you could be fined a minimum of $150.00 or more or you could be imprisoned for as much as three months if these events are not sanctioned by The Bahamas Boxing Commission. "It is not a demanding process for the event to be sanctioned, but it is just what has to be done because the rules of the law of the land are established to ensure that the people's rights are protected and if those persons who want to promote professional boxing should be advised by persons in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture office namely Steven Burrows and Monique Leary. "They can give you the information you need on having the event sanctioned," said Sturrup. "We want people to attend the event, but we also have an obligation to ensure that those persons who participate in the event are protected and there is as much safety as possible. "That is one of the reasons why the event must be sanctioned. BBC will ensure that everything is in place and the matches go on according to the rules and regulation." How high is this on the Royal Police Force agenda with the nation's crime rate and murder rate at an all-time high? "What we do is that we don't make the laws but once it is on the books and we find out that anyone or any organization is in breach, then we would then advise them on what the law says," said RBPF Inspector Kenry Stubbs. "The books and all laws are readily available and if you are in breach of the law, we would not hesitate to enforce the law if we have to." Fight Night is really just for adult entertainment. As such, is this really a big deal? "It is not a big deal, it is just that we are mandated by the MOYSC to take care of our responsibilities and our role is to monitor professional boxing in the country. "We are not picking on people in Grand Bahama and when people are promoting boxing in New Providence, they also have to get it sanctioned," said Sturrup. "Otherwise the police will be there and close down the event, but people don't need to be afraid of it. Just come and sit down with Steve or Monique at the M.O.Y.S.C. office because it is a simple process because we want to partner with the ones who are promoting theses events and encourage their activities." What other problems do you face? "Another role of the Commission is to ensure that the promoters pay the judges, referees along with the fighters. In the past the boxers and promoters sign a contract and the promoters depend on the gate proceeds and if they fall short, we have a problem," said Palmer. "The boxers then look to the Commission for their pay; we had to put a stop to that. So the policy now is that the money must be in escrow first and as long as the Commission sanctions the event and you agree to pay the fighters, the money must be paid two weeks in advance." The Cabinet Office under the Ministry of Sports announced the appointment of the current Bahamas Boxing Commission in July 2007. Note: According to Chapter 385 of the Boxing Control Rules (1990): Section 8 (a): Any person who without being duly licensed in accordance with the provision of these rules, hold, assist in holding or take part in any boxing contest shall be guilty of an offense and liable on summary conviction to a fine of one hundred and fifty dollars or to imprisonment of three months or to both such fine and imprisonment. If we didn't know, now we know. For more information on these matters,please call our office at 305 548 5020.

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