Mixed martial arts fighting promoter Linda Shields and some members of her team.
BY JIM HAND SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Thursday, July 23, 2009 2:24 AM EDT
Sen. Timilty says mixed martial arts fighting needs regulation
State Sen. James Timilty was a big boxing fan growing up, following the exploits of Marvelous Marvin Hagler as Hagler became middleweight champ.
In more recent years, Timilty said his interest has been captured by mixed martial arts fighting, sometimes known as ultimate fighting.
The sport has grown tremendously as the combination of boxing, wrestling and kick boxing in a cage-like ring has overtaken traditional boxing in popularity among young fans.
But, Timilty, D-Walpole, said the sport needs to be made safer. He is pushing legislation that would put it under the authority of the State Boxing Commission and the Department of Public Safety.
Two members would be added to the commission, including one with expertise in martial arts, he said. Regulations would require a doctor to be on duty at events. Participation in professional bouts would be limited to those ages 18 through 35. Older fighters, however, could get an exemption from a doctor.
Promoters and fighters would have to be licensed, he said.
Timilty said the bill passed the Senate 34-1 this week and has a good chance of passing the House.
There are some who claim the sport should be banned, calling it cruel, but Timilty said other violent sports such as football and boxing are legal.
He said what is really needed are clear regulations.
Thirty-four other states regulate the sport, he said, whereas in Massachusetts, anything goes.
The fighting is popular here and an outfit called CageFX is staging a fight Aug. 1 at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton, a minor league baseball facility.
Promoter Linda Shields said she regularly stages sold out fighting events in Plymouth and New Hampshire that attract 4,000 people, but now she is taking the shows outdoors. She expects 10,000 people at the Brockton match.
"It's the fastest growing sport not only in the country, but the world," she said.
Shields said she welcomes state regulations. "It's all about the safety of the fighters," she said.
Shields said her bouts in Massachusetts voluntarily follow the regulations set by the New Hampshire Boxing Commission, but Massachusetts regulations would mean little change for her events.
Timilty said state regulations would attract the biggest promoters in the country to Massachusetts. He said one outfit, Ultimate Fighting Championship, will not come to Massachusetts because of the lack of regulation.
Regulation would also bring licensing fees into state coffers, he said. The state would get 4 percent of ticket sales, plus a cut of TV revenue.
He said a sold out event at TD Garden in Boston would raise an estimated $775,000 in fees and result in $12.4 million in spinoff business for area restaurants, hotels and other establishments.
"It's going to bring some money into the coffers without raising taxes," he said.
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