How to hold professional boxing, wrestling, and martial arts events

Requirements

The following requirements apply to:

  • Professional boxing, wrestling, and martial arts events
  • and
  • Amateur mixed martial arts events overseen by the Department of Licensing.

Before the event, the promoter must:

  1. Get a promoter license.
  2. Call us to request an event date. (You must be licensed before requesting an event date).
  3. Make sure the matchmaker is licensed.
  4. Complete a Combative Sports Program Advance Notice for the event and submit it to us at least 7 days before the event.
  5. Before the weigh-in, make sure we’ve approved the bouts.
  6. Report any bout changes to us immediately.
  7. Send us the completed Fighter Contracts at least 5 days before the event.
  8. Make sure all licensing requirements are met:
    • Participants must be licensed before the weigh-in.
    • All other licenses must be completed by the conclusion of the weigh-in.
  9. Get medical insurance for all the participants, and submit it to us at least 72 hours before the event.
  10. Attend the weigh-in within 24 hours of event start time, but not less than 2 hours before the event. (If a representative attends the weigh-in, he or she must have the authority to sign contracts.)
  11. Provide a suitable examination area for physicians. Pre-fight physicals must be completed within 24 hours of the event start time.

The night of the event, the promoter must:

  1. Provide the inspector with the gloves and emergency back-up gloves before event start time.
  2. Provide equipment for seconds and boxers at ringside before event start time, including:
    • Corner stools
    • Spit buckets
    • Ice
    • Towels
    • Other health and safety items
  3. Make sure the ambulance or paramedical unit is:
    • Staffed with 2 attendants.
    • Equipped with transport and resuscitation capabilities.
    • Is on site at the event location 30 minutes before the event start time.
  4. Make sure adequate security personnel are on duty when the venue doors open.
  5. Submit the fighters’ and officials’ pay to us before the start of the event.
  6. Submit the ticket sales report, licensing fees, and event fee to us at the end of the event.
  7. Make sure a representative remains at the event location until all post-fight physicals are completed.
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