Commission asks for more insurance detail on proposed July 4 boxing matches at A's Stadium

Anaconda-Deer Lodge County commissioners raised insurance, safety and permitting questions about a proposed series of boxing matches scheduled for July 4 at A’s Stadium.

CEO Bill Everett expressed concern that the event’s proposed $1,000,000 liability coverage might be too low for boxing and described past enforcement actions in other jurisdictions. “I think our $1,000,000 insurance liability is too low for this situation,” Everett said, noting that similar venues have faced shutdowns elsewhere.

County Attorney Morgan Smith said the application had been submitted without a certificate of insurance and that approval would be conditioned on receiving a COI. She said she would contact MMIA (the county’s insurance pool) to determine whether higher limits or special endorsements are appropriate for the activity and would reach out to the event organizer for more detail. She also noted the county’s special-event application should clarify liquor-liability and server-training requirements when alcohol sales are involved.

Chair Kevin Hart said he believed the permit anticipated traditional gloved boxing rather than bare‑knuckle fighting and that the commission needed clarification on that point. Commissioner Ed Beaudette raised traffic and timing concerns for a July 4 event and suggested the commission ask for a fuller event description before issuing approval.

The commission asked staff and the County Attorney to follow up with the organizer and MMIA and deferred any approval pending receipt and review of the certificate of insurance and a more detailed event description.