Commission to pursue rulemaking hearing to align boxing and bare‑knuckle rules with ABC unified standards

The Tennessee Athletic Commission voted Sept. 22 to begin a rule‑making process to align state rules for bare‑knuckle boxing and conventional boxing with updates adopted by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC).

General Counsel Jesse Gentry told the commission the ABC adopted updates at its August conference and that some ABC changes would require amendments to Tennessee's rules. "The update after the ABC conference is called a G wrap, which changes a little bit how the gauze and the tape is wrapped around the thumb," Gentry said, citing hand‑wrap language as an example. He also noted a new foul adopted by ABC that makes it a foul for a combatant to move toward an opponent to strike from a crouching position with the head below the opponent's belt line.

Commission members discussed whether to simply allow waivers for individual bouts or to amend state rules so they default to the unified standards. Commissioner Ben moved to set a rulemaking hearing to align bare‑knuckle boxing and conventional boxing with the unified rules; Commissioner Corey Cipolla seconded the motion, which the commission approved on the record.

Why it matters: aligning with ABC standards would make Tennessee's rules consistent with a national body that many promoters and officials already reference, and it could simplify judging and equipment standards across promotions. The rulemaking process would include a formal hearing before any rule changes take effect.

Ending: The commission voted to proceed to a rule‑making hearing; staff counsel will prepare proposed amendments and notice for the formal rulemaking process.