ABC Annual Conference, Day 3 (long read)

ABC Annual Conference, Day 3

Wednesday was the third day of the Association of Boxing Commission’s annual convention. The day was entirely given over to Mixed Martial Arts.

Several key committees gave reports.

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Mma Training Committee
Chaired by Nick Lembo, NJ

Added Kevin McDonald and Mario Yamasaki as ABC approved trainers. They are each now approved as trainers for both reffing and judging.

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Muay Thai Unified Rules CommitteeChaired by Nick Lembo, NJ

Lembo conveyed to the membership his deep understanding and appreciation of Muay Thai, detailing for them areas where Muay Thai is uniquely different from kickboxing, including:
Time limit on ram Muay:
Necessity of a ring (not a cage):
Use of an amulet on the upper arm;
Allowance of clinching;
Use of Thai linament (but no other oils);
Low blow technicialities;
Definition of clean striking with the knees and elbows,[
Definiton of damage
-Did the blow cause a retreat?
-Did it unbalance?
-Did it stop his attack?
-Did he show show pain?
-Was there visible damage like a cut?
Finish of fight – who looks fresha at end.

Unanmiously passes

http://abcboxing.com/2011ABCMUAYTHAIREPORTFINAL.pdf

Unified Amteur RulesChaired by Andy Foster, GA

The Unified Amateur Rules Committee was a fighting dream team of experts including Dr. Sheryl Wulkan and Dr. Joseph Estwanik, Jeff Mullen who is an officiating dream team all by himself, Pat Reid, Brian Dunn, Dale Kliparchuk, the extraordinarily influential Nick Lembo, Dan Fitzgerald, and others, as well as taking feedback from amateur sanctioning bodies. The committee was tirelessly chaired by Andy Foster, who is a State commissioner, a former long-time professional MMA fighter,and an enormous advocte for MMA in a body that was originally created for the regu;ation of boxing.

It was repeatedly emphasized that regardless of the rules, the key to amateur MMA , above all, is that it is regulated. It was further pointed out that the amateurs need protection above all.

There was extended discussion by a large number of members over Unified Amateur Rules, including teired rules changes, GnP, shin pads, prohibited submissions,

Went to role call vote, one by one, recommended guidleines were approved 25-2 with 5 abstentions.

http://abcboxing.com/ABC_Amateur_Unified_Rules_Committee_Report_2011.pdf



MMA Scoring Committee:Chaired by Jeff Mullen, TN

The MMA scoring committee which includes Aaron Davis, Dr. Joseph Cooper PhD, Josef Mason, and Dale Kliparchuk focused on Half Point Scoring. The rerport detailed testing of the system in California. While there were reservations about aspects of the new system, the sentiment was very largely positive.

Big John McCarthy spoke to the membership and reminded that a bad judge is a bad judge under any scoring system, and proper training is the key.

There was wide agreement that the 10-Point Must system is appropriate for boxing, but not the exact right fit for MMA. That said, the introdcution of an entirely new scoring system is a huge step, so the call was made for a further year of testing, with a request that some ACs step up and test Half Point Scoring in the pro ranks.

Several states, including Josef Mason in Colorado and Andy Foster in Georgia agreed to step and and test in the pro ranks what appears to be a better, but more complex system.

http://abcboxing.com/ABC_Half_Point_Scoring_Committee_Report_2011.pdf

ABC Medical Committee ReportDr. Sheryl Wulkan, chair

Policy on Licensing of contestants with a missing limb.
Dr. Wulkan showed a profound, nuanced, professional understanding of the challenges faced by MMA fighters with missing limbs.
-Recommendation that potential licencees be evaluated on a case by case basis, using criteria including: Can they defend themselves effectively?
Can they be offensviely effective against the fighter with whom they are matched?
Is there an increased medical risk?
-Several MMA fighters with missing limbs were identiified, including Kyle Maynard whose bout was not cast in a positive light, and Nick Newell, who was identified as an excellent fighter, and whose licensing she would recommend.
-It was suggested that with the increase in war veterans with missing limbs, an amputation division might become a possibility for those prospective athletes whose participation is disallowed.

Medical Requirements for a contestant over 36
Older athlete may look fantastic, but can have underlying medical age-induced issues
Especially relevant to amateur competitors
Detailed reccomended tests

Therapeutic Use Expemptions
TUE not the same as TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy)
TUE can be ADHD, Narcolepsy, Asthama, low testosterone, and more
Criteria
-Physicians’s Decl;aration
-Fighter’s Declaration
-Supporting Documentation
Recommend a committee that is independent of each other

http://abcboxing.com/2011-07-Handbook-of-Ringside-Medicine-Commissioners.pdf

http://abcboxing.com/2011-07-Handbook-of-Ringside-Medicine-Commissioners.pdf

Potential new logo

Thanks for the informative post.

Does anyone know who Kevin McDonald is, not ringing a bell at the moment.

Would of been interesting to see a panel discussion on TRT itself.

So is this a step toward focusing on MMA judging?

GDPofDRC wrote:

Thanks for the informative post.

Does anyone know who Kevin McDonald is, not ringing a bell at the moment.

Would of been interesting to see a panel discussion on TRT itself.

McDonald is a ref up in the Mass area. He does training for Ref's and judges, he has worked some of the UFC's and Bellator shows.

OU wrote:

So is this a step toward focusing on MMA judging?

There is always a focus on judging, the problem most of the time is everyone complains but no one comes up with a solution.

Good stuff Prime

Primetyme199 wrote:

OU wrote:

So is this a step toward focusing on MMA judging?

There is always a focus on judging, the problem most of the time is everyone complains but no one comes up with a solution.

I think there have been solutions thrown out there. At the very least better education of judging has been thrown out there by just about everyone.

Better education and changing the point scoring system are 2 completely different things.
There should always be better education, judges themselves should strive for that.


Most of the solutions that have in the past been put out have little though behind them and no real substance to it. That's why imo the 1/2 point system is being looked at. It's well written and gives answers to questions and has substance to it.

Primetyme199 wrote:

Better education and changing the point scoring system are 2 completely different things.
There should always be better education, judges themselves should strive for that.


Most of the solutions that have in the past been put out have little though behind them and no real substance to it. That's why imo the 1/2 point system is being looked at. It's well written and gives answers to questions and has substance to it.

Well at the very least alternative methods should be given serious consideration. The sport is always evolving, time for the judging to keep pace.

[quote="OU"]

Primetyme199 wrote:

Better education and changing the point scoring system are 2 completely different things.
There should always be better education, judges themselves should strive for that.


Most of the solutions that have in the past been put out have little though behind them and no real substance to it. That's why imo the 1/2 point system is being looked at. It's well written and gives answers to questions and has substance to it.

Well at the very least alternative methods should be given serious consideration. The sport is always evolving, time for the judging to keep pace.[/quote]

No doubt, I agree with that 100%. The alternative methods need to be well thought out and written correctly. A one or 2 line or even paragraph just isn't good enough imo. The problem though is someone will say they should change the scoring method. They get asked what would be better but the person doesn't have an answer. Another issue is someone will say change the scoring to this way and when asked questions on the system they propose they can't back up what issues or questions get raised about it. If anyone has an idea about how the scoring should be changed, write up the scoring system completely and forward it to your local athletic commission. If you don't think it will go anywhere feel free to send it to me and I'll forward it along to the people it needs to go to.