Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0145-02-.10 - REFEREES

(1) Each bout shall be officiated by a referee who is licensed in accordance with Rule 0145-01-.03. The referee shall be responsible for enforcing the provisions of this chapter relating to the conduct of such bout. He or she shall maintain effective supervision and control over the contest while it is in progress. The referee shall effectively communicate all of his or her decisions and actions concerning a bout through clear and appropriate signals and/or notifications.

(2) Prior to the start of a bout, the referee shall:

(a) Confirm that the contestants and their seconds possess current and valid licenses issued under the authority of this chapter;

(b) Confirm that a commission representative has inspected and initialed (to denote the representative's approval of) the bandages of each contestant;

(c) Examine each contestant's gloves to insure that they are not in an unsanitary, lumpy, rough, or broken condition;

(d) Observe the fitting of each contestant's gloves;

(e) Ensure that no foreign substances have been applied to the gloves, bandages, protective equipment, or body of the contestants, and that their equipment is in order; and

(f) Ensure that all persons working the ring wear surgical gloves.

(3) The referee may:

(a) Stop a contest and consult with the ringside physician on the advisability of allowing it to continue; and

(b) Warn, penalize or disqualify a contestant for:

1. Hitting below the belt;

2. Hitting an opponent who is down or is getting up after being down;

3. Holding an opponent with one (1) hand and hitting with the other;

4. Holding or deliberately maintaining a clinch;

5. Wrestling or kicking;

6. Butting with the head or shoulder or using the knee;

7. Hitting with the open glove, or with the butt of the hand, the wrist, or the elbow;

8. Purposely going down without being hit;

9. Striking deliberately at the part of the body over the kidneys;

10. The use of the pivot blow or the deliberate use of the rabbit punch;

11. Jabbing opponent's eyes with the thumb of the glove;

12. The use of abusive language in the ring;

13. Any unsportsman-like conduct or action causing injury to an opponent;

14. Hitting on the break;

15. Hitting after the bell has sounded ending the round;

16. Roughing at the ropes; or

17. Pushing an opponent about the ring, or into or through the ropes.

(4) If a referee has reason to believe that a foul which he or she did not see may have been committed, he or she may poll the judges to determine whether such foul was committed. The referee may consider any, all or none of the opinions expressed in making his or her determination. The referee may, in his or her sole discretion, ask for a replay, if television equipment is available, before rendering his or her decision.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0145-02-.10

Emergency rules 0145-01 through 0145-05 filed November 7, 2008; effective though April 21, 2009. Emergency rule filed April 20, 2009; effective through October 2, 2009. New rule filed March 17, 2009; effective May 31, 2009. Amendments filed July 13, 2023; effective 10/11/2023.

Authority: Chapter 1149 of the Public Acts of 2008, § 2; Tennessee Athletic Commission Act of 2016; and T.C.A. §§ 68-115-201, 68-115-203, 68-115-210, and 68-115-404.