The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC) has added a committee that won’t solely advocate on behalf of fighters, it’ll be comprised of them.
Wednesday, the ABC formally announced the launch of an athlete’s voice committee, which will be comprised of seven former combat sports athletes to create “a formal athlete’s voice committee in support of hundreds of current and retired fighters.”
According to the announcement, the committee will work to assist with athlete education, contractual literacy, regulatory rights regarding managers, and other educational opportunities. Additionally, fighters will be given the opportunity to voice their most pressing concerns to regulators and be heard, in a day and age where officiating is frequently a point of public discussion.
“The ABC hopes this committee will allow all fighters to understand the sport from a regulatory standpoint,” ABC president Mike Mazzulli said in a written statement. “At every weigh-in I ask fighters questions relating to rules and regulations and it is apparent to me a majority of combative participants do not have clear knowledge of the Rules and Scoring Criteria. This committee will also allow fighters a voice at the table.”
The ABC already has multiple committees that focus on different aspects of the regulatory side of boxing and mixed martial arts, such as a rules committee, medical committee, and officials committee. Each committee is comprised of a board of representatives.
For the athlete’s voice committee, seven former fighters will sit on the board, alongside New York State Athletic Commission executive director Kim Sumbler, and six volunteers including combat sports attorney Erik Magraken, referee Jack Reiss, Colorado executive director Tony Cummings, Wyoming executive director Nick Meeker, and South Carolina Athletic Commission administrator Jon Hollingsworth.
“This is ground-breaking for the industry,” Sumbler said in a written statement. “Regulators and athletes working hand in hand for the betterment of combat sports. A great opportunity for athletes to have a meaningful and organized voice in their own sport.”
While five of the fighters on the board have not yet been named, former UFC fighter and analyst Din Thomas as well as former UFC welterweight champion Carlos Newton. A website is expected to launch in the coming weeks which will list a form for others who wish to participate.
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