Rules & Eligibility

classes

rules & eligibility

  • FIGHTER ELIGIBILITY:
    To compete, all fighters, male or female must be 18 years of age, Full-Time Active or Retired, Firefighter, Law Enforcement Officer, Correctional Officer, Non-Sworn Department Employees or active U.S. Military. Due to the few Public Safety women presently boxing, Full Time Security Officers, EMT’s, Paramedics and Tribal Police/Security will be ranked and have the opportunity to fight for a UCA State Championship Title.

  • No person who has fought in a professional boxing match or competed professionally in any individual combat sport may compete in the UCA Battle of the Badges. This includes people who have competed in boxing-related professional sports or other combat sports such as aikido, judo, ju-jujitsu, karate, sambo, muay thai, kickboxing, sumo, taekwondo, wrestling etc.
  • OFFICIAL BOUT RULES:
    Each bout will be scheduled for 3 rounds, of 2 minute durations, and one (1) minute rest period. All bouts are matched by age, weight, experience, win/loss record, level of competition and activity. Fighters must make weight, pass a physical completed by a doctor within one year of scheduled date of competition and be in good health. Each competitor will only compete in one (1) bout per day.

  • AGE DIVISIONS:
    Men’s Open, Women’s Open Division 18 years of age through 40 years of age. Men’s Masters, Women’s Masters Division 41 years of age and over.
  • MASTERS DIVISION:
    The Masters Division was created to go beyond commonly accepted boundaries of Public Safety boxing and provide a division for boxers 41 years old and over. Masters boxers will compete against other Masters boxers and have the same opportunity to fight for the UCA Championship Title as open fighters.

  • GLOVES:
    Boxing Gloves are worn to provide padding and to protect the hands and wrists of the boxer, as well as the head and body of the opposing boxer.


    Male Boxers:
    199 lbs. and under will wear 12oz gloves. 200lbs and over will wear 14oz gloves.


    Female Boxers:
    Regardless of weight will wear 12oz gloves.


    Masters Boxers:
    Regardless of weight will wear 14oz glove.

  • RING:
    The standard area of measurement of a boxing ring is between 18 and 22 feet to each side within the ropes. The most commonly used ring dimensions have an area of 20 feet or 6.10 meters. The ring floor area will be padded by at least 1 inch of stretched vinyl or canvass. The platform will be three to four feet above the ground. The four ring posts measures about five feet from the platform. The frame of the platform can be made of wood or metal. Four (4) ropes are mandatory for competition. The diameter of the ropes will not be less than one inch. The ropes will be evenly spaced. Turnbuckles or hooks will be used to secure the ropes to the posts.

    OFFICIAL WEIGH IN:
    Official weigh ins will be held within 48 hrs of the event.
    A flooring place shall be selected to ensure maximum accuracy for the official weigh in.
    All fighters will weigh in on a calibrated scale.

    ATTIRE:
    Male boxers over 200 Lbs. must wear 14 oz. gloves, official competition headgear, boxing mouthpiece and groin protection "cups" to protect sensitive
    areas below the waist from the nefarious "low blow." Note: It is mandatory that we (Cops 4 Kids & Communities) provide all boxing gloves for male and
    female fighters.

    Female and male boxers under 200 Lbs. must wear 12 oz. gloves, competition headgear and a boxing mouthpiece. We also strongly recommend women wear both groin and chest protection. At the very least, women should wear a sports bra for extra chest protection.

    Regarding boxing attire, you may prefer to wear very simple and rather plain shorts while others prefer elaborate shorts. Most of the modern
    generation of Battle of the Badges fighters prefers to wear shorts with loose fitting. This is because they wish to have an improved movement and comfort level.

    Most boxers prefer tank tops shirts, but you can also wear most other types (nothing crazy) of sleeveless shirts. Soft-soled shoes are required to be worn by all boxers. These shoes play a very important role in the minimizing of the damage that can happen as a result of either intentional or accidental stepping on feet.

    MOUTHPIECE:
    All contestants are required to wear a mouthpiece during competition. The bout cannot begin without a mouthpiece in place. A mouthpiece is worn to protect the mouth and teeth, and also to absorb some of the force of blows to the head. When a mouthpiece is knocked out of a boxer’s mouth as a result of a legal blow or a series of legal blows, the referee will call time and replace the mouthpiece at the first opportune moment without interfering with the immediate action. The referee will escort the boxer and mouthpiece to their corner where the mouthpiece will be washed. A coach will replace the mouthpiece in the boxer’s mouth after such washing. The referee will then issue a caution to the boxer. A boxer who loses the mouthpiece more than once (for any reason), will have it washed and returned, but will receive a “warning.” Points may be deducted by the referee if he feels the mouthpiece is being purposely spit out.

    GAUZE BANDAGE:
    Hand wraps and tape specifications. The purpose of bandages is to protect a boxer’s hands, not to add force to a blow. Gauze used for hand wraps must be made from cotton or labeled as “soft surgical” gauze. The use of any substance on the bandages is prohibited. Anyone officially connected with a boxing contest may have a boxer’s bandages examined upon request.

    • TIMEKEEPING:
      The Timekeeper is used to keep time of the rounds and indicate when the round ends, the round begins, stop time when the referee indicates a time out and to pick up the time when a knockdown occurs.

      Ten (10) seconds before the interval minutes are up; the timekeeper will announce “seconds out”. The timekeeper shall indicate the last ten (10) seconds remaining in each round by knocking loudly on a table with a hammer or a similar instrument. When a boxer is down the timekeeper shall immediately start counting the elapsed seconds in a loud, clear voice. He shall indicate each elapsed second with progressive upraised fingers until the referee has either taken up his count or told the boxers to box.

      It is entirely up to the referee to determine if a knockdown has occurred. If the referee ignores or waves off the timekeeper, then that is the official ruling. If the referee is in the course of applying a count and the round has been completed, the bell indicating the end of the round will not be sounded. If the boxer rises before ten (10) is counted and the referee gives the command box, the bell will be sounded to end the round.

      When the referee orders and signals time, the timekeeper shall stop the watch and only restart it when the referee orders box. The timekeeper must always be alert to accept any signals from the referee.

      SECONDS (COACHES):
      Each Boxer will be entitled to be accompanied to the ring by up to three (2) Seconds.

      Only two (2) Seconds may mount the apron of the ring and only one (1) may enter the ring.

      Seconds must leave the ring and the apron prior to the start of each round, and must remove seats,towels, buckets, etc from the platform of the ring.
      Seconds may apply Vaseline to their face and headgear of their competitor in to reduce the risk of cuts however, any excess must be removed prior the start of the bout.

      Seconds are permitted to give their boxer water and approved electrolyte beverages during the fight.

      Seconds may use Ice bags, En-swell and Swabs.

      No second shall remain on the ring platform during the bout.

      “Throwing in the towel”: A second shall signal the referee to end the bout by throwing a towel into the ring when he considers their competitor to be in danger. No second shall “throw in the towel” while the referee is in the course of counting.

      Seconds are permitted to give instructions to their competitor during the bout.

      Seconds will not be allowed to yell, or disturb the competition.

      KNOCKDOWNS:
      Mandatory Ten (10) Count after knockdowns will be standard procedure in all bouts.

      When a contestant has been knocked down, the referee shall order the opponent to the farthest neutral corner of the ring and pick up the count from the time keeper or official counting for knockdowns. Should the opponent fail to stay in the corner as directed by the referee, the referee shall stop the count and redirect the contestant to go back to the corner and resume the count at the point that it was interrupted. In the event of any knockdown, the timekeeper’s count will cease when picked up by the referee whose count shall prevail and be relied on by the contestant.

      A boxer is considered “down”:

      • If the boxer touches the floor with any part of the body other than their feet as the
      result of a blow or series of blows;

      • If the boxer hangs helplessly on the ropes as the result of a blow or series of
      blows;

      • If the boxer is outside or partly outside the ropes as the result of a blow or series
      of blows;

      • If following a hard punch, the boxer has not fallen and is not lying on the ropes,
      but is in a semi-conscious state and cannot, in the opinion of the referee,
      continue the bout.

      • Slipping or falling is not considered a knockdown, but a boxer who has slipped or
      fallen still cannot be hit while down

      • If the ropes prevent a fighter from going down, the referee will call it a
      knockdown.

      When a boxer gets knocked down, his opponent is restricted from hitting the downed boxer and must go to a neutral corner while the referee makes the tencount. The ten-count gives the downed boxer the opportunity to get back to his feet to continue fighting. Once a boxer stands after being knocked down, he must be approved to continue by the referee. If the boxer is unable to recover from the knockdown, his opponent will win by way of knockout (KO).

      A boxer shall receive a twenty (20) second count if a boxer is knocked out of the ring and onto the floor. The boxer is to be unassisted by his seconds. If assisted by his seconds, boxer shall be disqualified by the referee.

      A boxer who has been knocked down cannot be saved by the bell in any round. If a boxer receives 3 standing 10 counts or knockdowns in a round the bout will be stopped. If a boxer receives 4 standing ten counts or 4 knockdowns in the bout, the bout will be stopped. A standing 10 count will count as a knockdown. The standing 10 count is a referee tool to ensure safety of the boxer. A standing 10 count can be used as a “time out” tool for the referee, ensuring health and safety over and above.

      SUSPENSION AFTER KNOCKOUTS
      A boxer suffering a knockout will be restricted from competing for 3 months and medical clearance to compete from a licensed physician.

      A boxer suffering two (2) consecutive knockouts will be restricted from competing for one (1) year and medical clearance to compete from a licensed physician.

      A boxer suffering three (3) consecutive knockouts will be restricted from competing indefinitely pending special thorough medical examinations, after which other necessary medical measures might be taken.

      FOULS
      If an intentional foul causes an injury, and the injury is severe enough to terminate the bout immediately, the boxer causing the injury shall lose by disqualification. If the referee feels that a boxer has conducted himself in an unsportsmanlike manner he may stop the bout and disqualify the boxer or deduct points. If an accidental foul causes injury severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately, the bout will result in a no decision.

      In case of a low blow or accidental hit after the bell, a fouled boxer may be given up to 5 minutes to recover from the foul. If a fouled boxer decided not to continue, he will lose by abandonment, unless the referee decides to disqualify the offending boxer at his/her discretion and the doctor’s opinion.

      The referee may disqualify the offending boxer after warnings, point deductions and for continuous fouls. If a boxer is injured by any action by himself or his corner men, he will lose by abandonment

      A fighter who is hit with an accidental low blow must continue after a reasonable amount of time but no more than five (5) minutes or he will lose the fight. If a boxer injures themselves, such as a broken bone or sprain and is unable to continue for any other self-sustained physical reason, the boxer will lose by technical knockout

      In the case of a boxer receiving a low blow, hit after the bell, hit behind the head, etc. the referee shall issue a warning to the boxer delivering the blow. If a fouled boxer decided not to continue, he will lose by abandonment, unless in the opinion of the referee the blow was of such force as to incapacitate the offended boxer so he cannot continue to box, the referee shall inform the judges about his decision to disqualify the boxer who delivered the low blow.

      SCORING
      Three judges shall evaluate and score each bout and determine the winner through the use of the ten (10) point must system. In this system, the winner of each round receives ten (10) points and the opponent the appropriately lesser number. Rounds may be scored even if a Judge cannot determine a winner of the round. A score should not be less than ten (10)-seven (7), unless the referee has taken away points. Scores will be announced only at the end of a bout.

      Deducted Points: Points will be deducted for illegal blows, elbows, head-butts, flagrant intentional fouls, low blows, hitting behind the head, excessive holding, and misconduct. When one or both contenders have points deducted, the judges will register the deduction on their scorecards.

      • Punches thrown by a boxer must land above the waistline of the opposition. • Punches are the only legal way to hit the opponent.

      • Only the knuckle portion of the glove is allowed make contact with the opponent. • Punches must not land on the back of the opponent, including the areas of the kidneys and the back of the head.

      • The scorecards will be picked up after each round and added up by the local Commission.

      REFEREE
      Before any contest shall begin, the Referee shall ascertain the name of the Chief Second of each Contestant and shall hold the said Chief Second responsible for the conduct of their respective corner. Shaking hands by the Contestants is permissible immediately following the Referee’s instructions.

      The Referee shall be the Chief Official in every contest and shall maintain supervision and control over the contest while it is in progress. The Referee is empowered to enforce the Rules and Regulations of the Local Boxing Commission and the Rules and Regulations of the UCA pertaining to the conduct and behavior of the Contestants.

      During a contest, the referee may call time out and invite the ring doctor to examine a boxer for a cut or other injury, or to evaluate the boxer’s ability to continue. During the sixty (60) second rest period, a ring doctor may also on his own initiative examine a boxer in his corner, although he should not interfere with the seconds’ work; the doctor may then advise the referee of his medical opinion as to the boxer’s injuries and ability to continue.

      The Referee shall be the only person authorized to determine if injuries were the result of legal blows, accidental fouls or intentional fouls and such determinations will be at the Referee’s sole discretion.

      The referee may deduct points at his discretion at any time for flagrant intentional fouls.

      The referee will warn boxers and may deduct points for continuous fouls.

      When the referee breaks up clinching boxers, both boxers must take a full step back before throwing a punch.

      When the referee orders the two competitors to ‘break’, both boxers must take a full step back before recommencing boxing. A boxer shall not attempt to strike his opponent on the ‘break’. A competitor breaking this rule is liable to a caution, warning, point deduction or disqualification.

      When the bell sounds to indicate the end of the contest, both boxers must return immediately to their own corners. The referee shall ensure that this is obeyed. The contest shall be considered to have ended when the bell sounds at the end of the last round.

      If a fighter is considered by the referee to be outclassed by his opponent, the fight shall be stopped immediately.

      The Referee shall have the power to stop a contest and render a decision at any stage if they consider it to be one-sided or if either Contestant is in such condition that to continue might subject them to serious injury.

      RINGSIDE PHYSICIAN
      A doctor will be present at the official weigh in to look over the fighters physical; check the fighter’s heart rate, blood pressure, joints, etc. All fighters will be required to get a pre bout check up by the doctor.

      If at any time during the weigh in or the event the doctor feels it is unsafe for the fighter to compete the fight will be canceled.

      Four (4) Tables around the ring with chairs will be provided for the officials, and doctors.

      The doctor will be seated ringside during the whole event checking each fighter when they leave the ring after their bout.

      The Ringside Physician may enter the ring during the course of the round only at the request of the Referee. The Ringside Physician may enter the ring between rounds on their own and advise the Referee about the condition of either Opponent.

      After a boxer is counted out, or a bout is stopped and the boxer fails to stand up, the ringside physician will immediately enter the ring, with or without the referee’s call, remove the boxer’s mouthpiece if still in the boxer’s mouth, establish adequate ventilation, and attend to the boxer as necessary under the circumstances. In the event the ringside physician deems it necessary that a fight should be stopped because of serious damage or risk to a boxer’s health, he must immediately advise the referee, the Referee shall immediately end the bout.

      POST-BOUT EXAMINATIONS
      The ringside doctor will check that both boxers are in satisfactory condition or institute any treatment or make any recommendation that may be required. In order to protect the health and welfare of boxers, a boxer who has suffered a knockout, technical knockout, or other circumstance in which the boxer has sustained extraordinary severity of blows in a bout will undergo a medical examination as quickly as possible after the bout. Such examinations will be conducted by the ringside physician.

      AMBULANCE
      Ambulance service will be at the boxing arena for one (1) hour before and after the event, staffed with paramedics skilled in resuscitation. The Ambulance will be parked in a secured and freely accessible place outside the boxing arena.

      Emergency Medical Services will be standing by during the entire event in case of injury. If the doctor recommends a fighter should be transported to a hospital the show the boxer will be transported to the designated hospital. The show will stop until another ambulance is on site.

      EVENT INSURANCE
      So Cal Battle of the BAdges makes all proper considerations regarding the safety of the boxers and the fans. Proper insurance and indemnifications are a part of every show. All shows are conducted in a very professional manner, with an emphasis on the expectation of ethical behavior by all those involved. The UCA provides full authoritative permission for all public safety boxing events.

      WARNING
      While all the aforementioned equipment and safety precautions will help reduce the risk of injury, there are no guarantees in contact sports.
      Anyone who is considering boxing in the Battle of the Badges must be prepared for the possibility of serious injury even if all safety
      precautions are followed diligently. There is no way to guarantee the safety of combatants inside the ring, and injury will always be a part of the sport.