ࡱ > { h bjbjzz @ ` 8 T d " t t e e e $ 6 ǁ e e e e e ǁ ܁ e e i] sc Q\ = X u_ > 0 " _ x x x sc sc x c e e e ǁ ǁ ) X e e e " e e e e x e e e e e e e e e : MARYLAND STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION MINUTES - THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012 The Thursday, August 23, 2012 meeting of the Maryland State Athletic Commission was called to order at 2:35 p.m.. Present were: Commissioner Ben Alperstein (Acting Chairman); Commissioner Arnold Arnie Dansicker; Commissioner Lenny Moore; and Patrick Pannella, Executive Director. DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING DEPUTY COMMISSIONER MICHAEL T. VORGETTS Executive Director Pannella reported that Michael T. Vorgetts has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). Deputy Commissioner Vorgetts replaces Erica White, who served in the position for a brief period of time before accepting a position with the Federal government. The Commission welcomed Deputy Commissioner Vorgetts and expressed its desire to work closely with him in the years ahead to ensure the safe and effective regulation of combative sporting events sanctioned by the Commission. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION INTERIM SECRETARY SCOTT R. JENSEN Executive Director Pannella reported that Scott R. Jensen has been appointed as the new Interim Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). Mr. Pannella noted that Interim Secretary Jensen is very knowledgeable about Commission-related matters, as Mr. Jenson led the DLLR legislative team which supported the creation of MMA laws in the State of Maryland. The Commission congratulated Interim Secretary Jenson on his appointment and expressed its desire to work closely with him in his new leadership role. JETER PROMOTIONS. LLC ISSUANCE OF PROMOTERS LICENSE Executive Director Pannella reported that Jeter Promotions, LLC applied to the Commission on July 1, 2012 to be licensed as a promoter of professional boxing events in the State of Maryland. Mr. Pannella reported that he and Commissioner McCaffrey interviewed two representatives of Jeter Promotions, LLC Christen Jeter, who will be serving as the Promoters Representative for Jeter Promotions, LLC; and Tony Jeter, who will be serving as the matchmaker for Jeter Promotions, LLC. Mr. Pannella further reported that he and Commissioner McCaffrey reviewed the license application and corresponding documentation submitted by Jeter Promotions, LLC and were satisfied that this applicant complies with the Commissions licensing requirements. Upon a motion by Commissioner Dansicker, and seconded by Commissioner Alperstein, the Commission voted unanimously (3-0) to approve the license of Jeter Promotions, LLC as a promoter. APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL BOXING EVENT Executive Director Pannella led a Commission discussion in regard to professional boxing events scheduled to be held in the State of Maryland. Mr. Pannella reported that Jeter Promotions, LLC is desirous of holding a pro-am boxing event on September 22, 2012 at Club One Fitness in Millersville, Maryland. Mr. Pannella noted that Jeter Promotions, LLC will be advertising as Jeter Promotions. Mr. Pannella provided the Commission with a list of the professional boxing bouts proposed by Jeter Promotions, LLC for this boxing event which had been approved by the Commission previously. Upon a motion by Commissioner Dansicker, seconded by Commissioner Alperstein, the Commission voted unanimously (3-0) to approve the following pro-am boxing event: Pro-Am Boxing Event Saturday, September 22, 2012 - 8:00 p.m. Club One Fitness - Millersville, Maryland Promoter: Jeter Promotions, LLC, advertising as Jeter Promotions. APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING EVENTS Executive Director Pannella led a Commission discussion in regard to the professional wrestling events currently scheduled to be held in the State of Maryland. Upon a motion by Commissioner Dansicker, seconded by Commissioner Alperstein, the Commission voted unanimously (3-0) to approve the following professional wrestling events: 1. Professional Wrestling Event Friday, September 7, 2012 - 7:30 p.m. Della Roses Tavern - 8153 Honeygo Boulevard White Marsh, Maryland Promoter: Richard Dick Caricofe, advertising as Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW); 2. Professional Wrestling Event Saturday, September 22, 2012 - 7:00 p.m. Clarence Du Burns Arena - 1301 South Ellwood Avenue Baltimore, Maryland Promoter: Ring of Honor Entertainment, LLC, advertising as Ring of Honor Wrestling; 3. Professional Wrestling Event Thursday, September 27, 2012 - 7:00 p.m. Baltimore Junior Academy - 3006 West Cold Spring Lane Baltimore, Maryland Promoter: Richard Dick Caricofe, advertising as DMV Wrestling; 4. Professional Wrestling Event Saturday, October 6, 2012 - 7:30 p.m. Clarence Du Burns Arena - 1301 South Ellwood Avenue Baltimore, Maryland Promoter: Bradley Vance, advertising as Real Championship Wrestling (RCW); 5. Professional Wrestling Event Saturday, November 3, 2012 - 7:30 p.m. Clarence Du Burns Arena - 1301 South Ellwood Avenue Baltimore, Maryland Promoter: Bradley Vance, advertising as Real Championship Wrestling (RCW); 6. Professional Wrestling Event Saturday, November 10, 2012 - 7:30 p.m. Tall Cedars Hall - 2501 Putty Hill Avenue Parkville, Maryland Promoter: James Jim Hardwick, advertising as Eastern Wrestling Alliance (EWA); 7. Professional Wrestling Event Saturday, December 8, 2012 - 7:00 p.m. OBI Building - 8855 Veterans Highway Millersville, Maryland Promoter: Richard Dick Caricofe, advertising as United States Wrestling (USW); and 8. Professional Wrestling Event Saturday, December 15, 2012 - 7:00 p.m. Orchard Beach Banquet Hall - 7548 Solley Road Glen Burnie, Maryland Promoter: Richard Dick Caricofe, advertising as United States Wrestling (USW). ASSOCIATION OF BOXING COMMISSIONS (ABC) 2012 ANNUAL CONFERENCE Executive Director Pannella presented the Commission with a review of the 2012 Annual Conference of the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) which was held from July 21 - 25, 2012 at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Mr. Pannella, who serves as the Region One Director of the ABC, attended the conference, as did John W. Stiller, M.D., the Commissions Chief Physician. Both Maryland representatives were speakers at the conference. Mr. Pannella reported that there were many informative presentations and discussions pertaining to various boxing and MMA matters. Mr. Pannella noted that among the presentations made, and topics discussed, were: A dual presentation was made by Mr. Pannella and Anibal Miramontes, owner of Fight Fax, Inc. (the certified boxing registry for the ABC), regarding the Terminology for ABC-Affiliated Commissions to Report Bout Results and Suspensions to Fight Fax, Inc. for Suspension List and Fighter Reports / Comments Section. A presentation was made by the ABC Open Scoring Committee, reaffirming its opposition to open scoring in professional boxing, and culminating in the ABC membership taking no formal action to change its continued opposition to open scoring. A progress report was presented by Dr. Stiller regarding the Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury (CTBI) study which is being conducted on boxers at boxing weigh-in activities held in the State of Maryland in association with the Commission. A discussion was held regarding the means by which a commission is to select the officials assigned to work championship professional boxing contests. A discussion was held regarding the vital role played by a commission in preventing mismatched professional boxing contests from occurring. A discussion was held regarding the amount of additional time beyond the traditional minute that may be allowed by a Commission between rounds of a live, televised professional boxing contest for the purposes of accommodating television commercials; this discussion culminated in the ABC membership voting favorably, by a vote of 18-5, to recommend that ABC-member commissions allow for a maximum of additional seven seconds during rest periods for live, televised professional boxing contests. The Maryland State Athletic Commission voted against the recommended change, with Mr. Pannella expressing his concern before the ABC membership that the issue was not first presented to the ABC Medical Advisory Committee for review to determine if the health and safety of boxers would be adversely affected by adding additional time to a rest period between rounds. A presentation was made by Dr. Stiller regarding whether or not boxers or MMA contestants who have had a subdural hematoma in the past should be licensed to compete. A presentation was made by Mr. Pannella which consisted of a review of the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) Uniform Procedures for Requesting and Forwarding Medical Examinations and Test Results for Boxers and MMA Contestants and which encouraged ABC member commissions to utilize these procedures when transferring boxers and MMA contestants medical documents from commission to commission. A review was conducted regarding the ABCs current unified rules for amateur mixed martial arts by the ABC Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Rules Committee. A discussion was held regarding the inherent health, safety and regulatory risks associated with amateur MMA contests occurring in jurisdictions which either have no authority, or exercise no authority, over the sport of amateur MMA. A presentation was made by Dr. Sheryl Wulkan, M.D. of the ABC Medical Advisory Committee regarding the Committees annual report. A discussion was held among representatives of commissions which regulate professional wrestling events in some capacity regarding the need for these commissions to notify other commissions when wrestlers or other participants in a professional wrestling event are either suspended or receive disciplinary action. COMMISSION CORRESPONDENCE SENT TO PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN AMATEUR MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (AAMMA) Executive Director Pannella provided the Commission with the following report in regard to Commission correspondence sent to Terry Haven, President of American Amateur Mixed Martial Arts (AAMMA), via e-mail on August 3, 2012 regarding the appointment of John Guessford as AAMMAs new Maryland Representative (Mr. Guessford replaces Lawrence Larry Brizzi, who resigned from the position for personal reasons), as well as certain regulatory concerns and recommendations of the Commission. The Commission recommends that the process for receiving all amateur MMA contests proposed for an AAMMA-supervised amateur MMA event be conducted in writing so that AAMMA can consider these contests for approval, and respond accordingly to the promoter and/or matchmaker, in an efficient and timely manner. The Commission recommends that the Maryland Representative for AAMMA check immediately at the start of every AAMMA-supervised amateur MMA event to ensure that a paramedic who is in possession of advanced life-support medications (and is accompanied by an emergency medical technician) is in place at cage side during all amateur MMA contests. Mr. Pannella reported the following: Immediately prior to the start of the first contest for the March 31, 2012 Xtreme Cage Wars amateur MMA event held at the Clarence Du Burns Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, the Commission inspector assigned by the Commission to observe the amateur MMA event observed that no paramedic was present at cage side; and that no advanced life-support medications were available at cage side for use. Two emergency medical technicians were present at cage side, but neither was certified as a paramedic who could dispense advanced life-support medications. After a brief delay of approximately 15 to 20 minutes, a paramedic was secured by the promoter; was situated at cage side; and was in possession of advanced life support medications. In the very first amateur MMA contests held, an amateur MMA contestant was knocked out and rendered unconscious by his opponent for several minutes and was eventually transported by ambulance to a hospital for further medical evaluation; while no advanced life- support medication was used in the care of this amateur MMA contestant, the two physicians working at this amateur MMA event were very relieved to know that steps were taken to officially confirm that a paramedic, in possession of advanced life-support medications, was in place at cage side should the physicians have needed to utilize both the paramedics services and the advanced life support medications. The Commission provided AAMMA with a copy of its Check List and Inspection Sheet for Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Events which is utilized and completed by the Commission inspector assigned by the Commission to observe an amateur MMA event. The Commission included the information described above in its August 3, 2012 e-mail sent to Mr. Haven; a copy of this e-mail was sent to Mr. Guessford. COMMISSION CORRESPONDENCE SENT TO MASSACHUSETTS ATHLETIC COMMISSION Executive Director Pannella provided the Commission with the following report in regard to Commission correspondence sent to the Massachusetts Athletic Commission via e-mail on August 20, 2012 regarding the amateur MMA contest between David Baxter and Justin Kristie which was held on April 20, 2012 in the State of Massachusetts. Mr. Pannella noted that he serves as the Region One Director of the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) and that Massachusetts is included as a jurisdiction within this region. The Massachusetts Athletic Commission publicly stated its intention to consider rule changes to prevent any MMA contestant who has been choked out and rendered unconscious by his (or her) opponent in an MMA contest from being allowed to continue to compete in the MMA contest after having regained consciousness. The Commission (Maryland) currently imposes a minimum medical suspension of 30 days (or more, depending on the recommendation of the Commissions senior physician assigned to work at the MMA event) for professional MMA contestants who have been choked out; in addition, the Commission encourages, and expects, all amateur MMA organizations approved by the Commission to supervise amateur MMA events in the State of Maryland to impose the same, or similar, suspensive periods for amateur MMA contestants. Further, if a professional MMA contestant or an amateur MMA contestant competing in Maryland refuses to tap out (subsequently ending his or her contest) and is choked out, the MMA contest ends. There is never to be an opportunity in either of these scenarios for a MMA contest to continue. The Commission notes that the act of tapping out is not limited to an MMA contestant tapping the canvas; a MMA contestant may simply tap the arm or other part of his (or her) body or his (or her) opponents body, as certain positions and maneuvers may prevent the MMA contestant from reaching the canvas floor with his (or her) hand. The Commission included the information described above, as well as a list of four contact persons who may be able to provide guidance and insights regarding the regulation of MMA, in its August 20, 2012 e-mail sent to the Massachusetts Athletic Commission. COMMISSION INVESTIGATION: SUSPENSION OF LICENSED WRESTLER TOM BRANDI Executive Director Pannella provided the Commission with the following report in regard to the Commissions suspension of licensed wrestler Tom Brandi of Norristown, Pennsylvania. The Commission prohibited Mr. Brandi from participating as a wrestler in professional wrestling events held in the State of Maryland for a period of six months from April 5, 2012 through, and including, October 5, 2012. The Commission suspended the wrestler license of Mr. Brandi based on Mr. Brandis actions as a wrestler participating in a wrestling match held on March 31, 2012 in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Mr. Brandi threw a wrestler, who was acting as a valet or manager for Mr. Brandis opponent and who was wearing a metal championship belt as a gimmick, onto a table without informing the wrestler involved, the referee of the match, the promoter of the wrestling event or anyone else at a point in time prior to executing the act in question that such a unique or unusual maneuver would be executed. The Commission contends that the inherent danger attributable to this act is heightened and exacerbated when the wrestler being acted upon is given no prior knowledge that such an act will be executed. The above-described conduct constitutes a violation of COMAR 09.14.08.03(F)(1)(e)which provides that a wrestler is prohibited from striking an opponent with a foreign object (the table). This conduct also constitutes a violation of COMAR 09.14.08.03(F)(1)(1) which provides that a wrestler is prohibited from engaging in unsportsmanlike or physically dangerous conduct. COMMISSION INVESTIGATION: UNLEASHED 2 - BATTLE OF THE BARS Executive Director Pannella provided the Commission with the following report in regard to the Commissions investigation of the Unleashed 2, Battle of the Bars boxing event which was scheduled to be held at the Clarence Du Burns Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. The Commission, along with USA Boxing, Inc. (the nationally-recognized amateur boxing organization authorized under Maryland State law to supervise amateur boxing in the State of Maryland), maintained that it was unclear as to whether the actual boxing activity being proposed can be construed as being amateur boxing contests or as being toughman boxing contests. Toughman boxing contests, featuring individuals with very limited or no boxing experience, are currently illegal in the State of Maryland. Among other serious concerns (including, but not limited to, a point system proposed in the original boxing event advertisement wherein participants are awarded points to determine Baltimores toughest bar for, among other things knocking out their opponents), advertisements for the August 26, 2012 boxing event bring to question whether the participants will be properly trained and prepared to compete in an amateur boxing contest prior to competing. In advertisements seeking participants to compete, there is no definitive time frame or general time frame set forth in reference to how long it takes an individual to be properly trained in a USA Boxing-affiliated boxing gym prior to competing in his or her first amateur boxing contest. The Commission contends that two months or less of actual time spent in a boxing gym (the Commission became aware of the boxing event in question within two months of the date of the boxing event) is not near the amount of training time needed for an individual to compete as an amateur boxer in an amateur boxing contest. After refusing to sanction this boxing event in its original proposed form, USA Boxing, Inc. and its local affiliate, the South Atlantic Boxing Association, elected to approve a sanction for the August 26, 2012 boxing event after receiving assurances from the promoter that the boxing event (including information contained in all advertisements promoting this boxing event) would be modified to conform with all standard requirements of a USA Boxing-sanctioned boxing event. COMMISSION INVESTIGATION: PROFESSIONAL BOXER KOKOU MAMA BALLOGOU Executive Director Pannella provided the Commission with the following report in regard to professional boxer Kokou Mama Ballogou, who was permitted by the Florida State Boxing Commission to compete in a professional boxing contest held in Tampa, Florida on June 29, 2012 without a valid Professional Boxers Federal Identification Card and who indicated to the Florida State Boxing Commission that he resides in the State of Maryland. The Commission addressed this matter by sending written correspondence to Thomas Molloy, Executive Director of the Florida State Boxing Commission, via e-mail on July 11, 2012. If Mr. Ballogou is a foreign boxer who trains in the State of Maryland but who maintains a permanent residence in another country, then Federal boxing laws permit any athletic commission to issue a Professional Boxers Federal Identification Card to such a boxer residing in another country. In this scenario, if accurate, Mr. Ballogou could have obtained a Professional Boxers Federal Identification Card from the Florida State Boxing Commission at some point in time prior to his June 29, 2012 professional boxing contest. If Mr. Ballogou is a boxer who resides in Maryland, and who can provide documentation verifying his Maryland residency, then the Commission (Maryland) has the authority via Federal boxing laws to issue a Professional Boxers Federal Identification Card to Mr. Ballogou. In the latter case, Mr. Ballogou should contact the Commission directly to arrange an appointment in the Commission office in Baltimore, Maryland to formally obtain his Professional Boxers Federal Identification Card. The Commission recommended to Mr. Molloy that the Florida State Boxing Commission place Mr. Balloubou on suspension and notify Fight Fax. Inc., the certified boxing registry for the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), that the Florida State Boxing Commission is requiring Mr. Balloubou to obtain a Professional Boxers Federal Identification Card prior to competing in another professional boxing contest. The Commission also recommended to the Florida State Boxing Commission that it refrain from permitting any professional boxer to compete in a professional boxing contest in Florida until, and unless, the boxer presents a valid Professional Boxers Federal Identification Card. Federal boxing laws appear to allow for no exceptions to this requirement. The Commission included the information described above in its August 3, 2012 e-mail sent to Mr. Molloy. REVIEW OF JUNE 16, 2012 PROFESSIONAL BOXING EVENT Executive Director Pannella led a review of the June 16, 2012 professional boxing event which was promoted by Gene Molovinsky, advertising as Keystone Boxing, and held at the Clarence Du Burns Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Pannella noted that the boxing show included four professional boxing bouts encompassing 22 scheduled rounds of professional boxing. REVIEW OF JUNE 23, 2012 AMATEUR MMA EVENT SUPERVISED BY AAMMA Executive Director Pannella led a review of the June 23, 2012 amateur MMA event which was promoted by Noel J. Smith advertising as Maryland Cage Combat, supervised by American Amateur Mixed Martial Arts (AAMMA) and held at the Maryland Sportsplex in Millersville, Maryland. Mr. Pannella noted that the Commission inspector assigned to observe the regulation of this amateur MMA event was Bryan Hagan. LINEUP OF PROFESSIONAL BOUTS FOR SEPTEMBER 22, 2012 PRO-AM BOXING EVENT - MILLERSVILLE, MARYLAND Executive Director Pannella provided the Commission with the lineup of professional bouts proposed by the promoter and matchmaker as part of the pro-am boxing event being promoted by Jeter Promotions, LLC, advertising as Jeter Promotions, and scheduled to be held on September 22, 2012 at Club One Fitness in Millersville, Maryland. Mr. Pannella reported that Tony Jeter of Stevensville, Maryland and Tyrel Brown of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma would be competing in a scheduled eight-round championship bout for the World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX Middleweight Title COMMISSIONS NON-APPROVAL OF INITIAL SEVEN PROPOSED OPPONENTS TO COMPETE AGAINST TONY JETER IN SEPTEMBER 22, 2012 PROFESSIONAL BOXING CONTEST The Commission held a discussion in regard to the initial seven respective opponents who were proposed by Jeter Promotions, LLC to compete against Tony Jeter in a professional boxing contest scheduled to be held as a part of a pro-am boxing event on September 22, 2012 at the Club One Fitness gym in Millersville, Maryland, and who were not approved by the Commission for either medical reasons and/or for reasons relating to non-competitiveness. NEXT COMMISSION MEETING Executive Director Pannella announced that the next Commission meeting will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Third Floor Conference Room, 500 North Calvert Street in Baltimore. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Commissioner Alperstein, and seconded by Commissioner Moore, the Commission voted unanimously (3-0) to adjourn the meeting at 3:06 p.m.. Patrick Pannella Executive Director PAGE 8 ( @ C D I J K T X _ b h ! = A G e f g q ymaT h3