16 Tex. Admin. Code § 61.109 - Bare-Knuckle Boxing

(a) All rules in this chapter apply to the combative sport of bare-knuckle boxing except §§61.106(c) - (f), 61.107, 61.108, and 61.110 - 61.112. If any language in this section conflicts with another rule in this chapter, this section prevails.

(b) Amateur contestants prohibited. Amateur contestants may not participate in bare-knuckle boxing contests.

(c) Contest and round parameters. Bare-knuckle boxing contests shall be limited to six rounds and 18 minutes of competition. Contestants shall be provided a one-minute rest period between each non-final round, which does not count towards the 18-minute limit.

(1) Contests between males shall have rounds of no more than three minutes. Contests between females shall have rounds of no more than two minutes.

(2) Contests featuring a contestant making his or her professional debut shall be restricted to four two-minute rounds.

(d) Hand wraps. Hand wraps for contestants shall include the wrist and are restricted to 12 yards of soft gauze bandage per hand, no more than two inches in width, held in place by no more than 10 yards of surgical tape, no more than one inch in width. Surgical tape may not be applied within one inch of the knuckles. The use of any liquid or material on the tape is prohibited.

(1) No tape or gauze is allowed on or between the contestant's fingers, with the exception of the thumb.

(A) The thumb of a contestant may include a single wrap of tape when the wrist is being wrapped.

(B) Wrapping of the wrist shall not extend more than three inches past the wrist juncture.

(2) Hand wraps shall be applied in the dressing room in the presence of a department representative.

(3) Other than the contestant's hands, there must be no taping, covering, or protective gear of any kind on the upper body. This includes but is not limited to joint sleeves, padding, any form of a brace, or body gauze/tape.

(e) Contestant dress and appearance. Contestants must wear protective gear as deemed necessary by the department. All contestants must appear in appropriate dress.

(1) Male contestants must not wear any form of clothing on their upper body. Male contestants must also wear appropriate groin protection.

(2) Female contestants must wear an appropriate sports bra and may wear a short-sleeved or sleeveless form-fitting rash guard. Breast protectors are optional. Loose-fitting tops are prohibited.

(3) All contestants must wear appropriate shorts, boxing or wrestling shoes, and a fitted mouthpiece approved by the department.

(4) When deemed necessary by the referee, a contestant with long hair must secure his or her hair in a manner that does not hinder vision or interfere with either contestant's ability to compete fairly.

(5) A contestant may use soft neoprene-type sleeves to cover only the knees. Approved sleeves may not have padding, Velcro, plastic, metal, ties, or any other material considered unsafe or that may create an unfair advantage.

(f) Scoring. All contests shall be evaluated and scored by three judges. Contests will be scored using the ten-point must system to determine the winner.

(g) Decisions.

(1) Contestants may prevail by technical knockout, knockout, disqualification, or a judges' decision.

(2) The timekeeper shall not ring the bell during the referee's count, and the referee must continue the count until the contestant rises or is counted out. Once the referee ends the count and determines the contestant is fit to continue, the timekeeper may ring the bell to signal the end of the round.

(3) A contest shall be declared a no contest if stopped due to an injury caused by an accidental foul before the end of:

(A) Two completed rounds of a scheduled three-round contest;

(B) Two completed rounds of a scheduled four-round contest;

(C) Three completed rounds of a scheduled five-round contest; or

(D) Three completed rounds of a scheduled six-round contest.

(4) If, after completion of the round specified in subsection (g)(3)(A) - (D), a contest is stopped due to a contestant being injured by an unintentional foul, or due to the worsening of an injury caused by a previous unintentional foul, all completed and partial rounds will be scored. The contestant ahead on points shall be declared the winner by technical decision.

(5) If, after completion of the round specified in subsection (g)(3)(A) - (D), a contest is stopped due to a contestant being injured by an intentional foul, or due to the worsening of an injury caused by a previous intentional foul, all completed and partial rounds will be scored, and:

(A) The injured contestant will win by technical decision if ahead on points; or

(B) The contest will result in a technical draw if the injured contestant is behind on points.

(6) If the contestant injures themselves while attempting to foul their opponent intentionally, the referee will not take any action in their favor, and this injury shall be considered the same as an injury produced by a fair blow. If the referee determines that a contestant has acted in an unsportsmanlike manner, the referee may stop the contest and disqualify the contestant.

(7) A draw shall be called if each official votes differently or any two vote a draw.

(h) Legal technique. The only fighting technique permitted is that of a bare-knuckle strike with a clenched fist. Contestants may fight in the clinch and make any legal strike while holding the contestant's opponent by the back of the neck or head in a downward position to any legal strike zone.

(i) Prohibited actions. The following tactics are fouls and are forbidden. Using these tactics may result in a warning, loss of points as determined by the referee, disqualification, forfeiture, and an administrative penalty, sanction, or both.

(1) Hitting the opponent below the belt.

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

(3) Deliberately maintaining a clinch without other action.

(4) Wrestling or kicking the opponent.

(5) Putting a finger into any orifice of the opponent or into any cut or laceration on an opponent, including fish-hooking.

(6) Pulling the opponent's hair.

(7) Manipulating the opponent's fingers.

(8) Striking an opponent who is helpless as the result of blows but is supported by the ropes and does not fall.

(9) Butting the opponent with the head, shoulder, knee, or elbow.

(10) Hitting the opponent with the elbow or forearm.

(11) Striking the opponent's body over the kidneys.

(12) Hitting the opponent on the back of the head or neck.

(13) Gouging the opponent's eye in any manner.

(14) Hitting during a break, which is signaled by the referee's command or physical act to separate the contestants.

(15) Hitting the opponent after the bell has sounded, ending the round.

(16) Using the ropes or cage to gain an advantage over the opponent.

(17) Pushing the opponent around the fighting area or into the ropes/cage.

(18) Timidity, excessive clinching, including intentionally spitting out the mouthpiece, running from an opponent, or other similar behavior.

(19) Biting the opponent.

(20) Headlocks.

(21) Throat punches or strikes directly toward the throat of an opponent.

(22) Fingers outstretched toward an opponent's face or eyes.

(23) Throws or takedowns.

(24) Spinning back fists.

(25) Hammer-fists.

(26) Engaging in any other action not described in this subsection that is deemed an intentional foul by the referee on the basis that the action poses a danger to the safety of either contestant, impedes fair and competitive play, or is unsportsmanlike.

(j) Instant replay. Instant replay may be used if the promoter and department have agreed in writing before the event, and the promoter provides all necessary instant replay equipment. The use of instant replay shall be limited to the following:

(1) Only the referee may determine if the use of instant replay is appropriate.

(2) Before the decision is announced, the referee may use instant replay to conclusively determine whether a foul caused or contributed to the conclusion of the contest.

(3) The review process is authorized and can be conducted by any individual designated by the department.

(4) Based on the instant replay review, the referee shall make the final call with respect to the contest that could result in one of the following decisions:

(A) Winner of the contest by stoppage;

(B) No contest or no decision determination;

(C) Disqualification;

(D) Technical decision; or

(E) Technical draw.

Notes

16 Tex. Admin. Code § 61.109

Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 50, Number 24, June 13, 2025, TexReg 3567, eff. 6/19/2025