Canadian Boxing Federation is ramping up its efforts to put an end to MMA promotions

**PizDoff** · Posted On: 8/03/2007 1:35pm

CBF increasing efforts to stop illegal shows
By MURRAY GREIG -- Sun Media

The Canadian Boxing Federation is ramping up its efforts to put an end to illegal prizefights and mixed martial arts promotions.

"In the past, the CBF has taken a stance against illegal boxing and so-called 'tough man' events, specifically in Alberta, B.C., and Saskatchewan. These events occur almost without exception without the standardized rules and safety precautions that legitimate commissions in Canada demand," Ed Pearson, the CBF's Edmonton-based secretary-treasurer, said yesterday.

"We're talking about things like proper matchmaking, standardized medical testing to ensure participants are in proper condition, qualified physicians at ringside, ambulances at the event in case of major injuries and so on.

"These are issues that have been addressed by the CBF over the past several decades, and are standard in most countries of the world, yet we continue to have these unsanctioned events happen in our own backyard."

Member commissions attending last week's CBF annual meeting acknowledged that unsanctioned events continue to slip through the cracks, in violation of Section 83 of the Criminal Code.

That section specifically brands prizefighting as "an illegal event unless held with the permission or under the authority of an athletic board or commission or similar body established by or under the authority of the legislature of a province for the control of sport within the province."

In the case of mixed martial arts, promoters often try to circumvent the regulations by forming their own sanctioning organizations, but, as Pearson pointed out, "the reality is that only a commission, duly authorized under provincial legislation, has the authority and jurisdiction to supervise and regulate combative sports in Canada."

Outgoing CBF president Orest Zmyndak said that so-called mixed martial arts councils "are not by any stretch a recognized authority, much less a legitimate regulatory body, amateur or professional."

In an effort to reduce the number of illegal events, individual commissions will prohibit certified ring officials within their jurisdiction from working unsanctioned shows. In addition, the CBF membership approved a resolution to continue to alert municipal authorities and the police regarding violations of Section 83.

"There are very good and respected promoters across Canada, for both boxing and MMA, who respect the laws and pay the cost of legitimacy by following the rules and regulations," said Pearson.

"In terms of financial costs to these promoters, there's no doubt that having to pay to have an ambulance, physicians, properly trained ring officials and permit fees takes away from the bottom line.

"But it's not a right in Canada to stage the types of potentially dangerous sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts, it's a privilege. And with the privilege comes the professional responsibility of safety and the costs associated with regulation."

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Fighting/B...90841-sun.html

So....like in other countries, the boxing commissions are trying to control the growth of MMA.

**Goju - Joe** · Posted On: 8/03/2007 1:58pm

They have a valid point.

They're not trying to stop MMA as a whole just shows that don't adhere to the boxing comissions.

And if that's what they're doing I support them.

The last thing MMA in Canada needs is some BS show where someone gets hurt because the promoter is a cheap scum bag

**meataxe** · Posted On: 8/03/2007 2:13pm

I don't like the idea of the BOXING commission having jurisdiction over all combat sports. Granted they were there first, but they may be using that fact to control the agenda.

There should be some governing body to ensure fights are safe and well-run. Maybe there is room for combat sport commission that covers MMA.

**Roidie McDouchebag** · Posted On: 8/03/2007 4:04pm

**** boxing commisions. Thankfully, these guys are absolutely full of ****. I have read the pertinent legistlation and it falls under provincial, NOT federal jurisdiction. These guys are simply LYING. In BC, the province leaves it up to the municipalities which ARE the oversight. If the municipality says no, then it is in violation of the law. If the municipality says yes, then no laws apply.

Furthermore, even if this total faggotry did become law, thank GOD for Native Reservations. If I ever put on a show, I would absolutely refuse to submit to the authority of any fucking boxing commision. I'd like to go find this Ed Pearson ****** and GnP'im.

**andrewa** · Posted On: 8/03/2007 8:38pm

I seriously doubt the boxing commission gives a rat's ass about the safety of MMA fighters. What they do care about is trying to protect the safety of their bank accounts by eliminating any competition. If anyone thinks this is farfetched we should remember kickboxing was banned in Ontario in the early 80's for three years due to so-called "safety concerns".

**OZZ** · Posted On: 8/03/2007 8:54pm

The Chippewa of The Thames just outside London put on a cagefight just last year. One of my friends actually helped organize it...I hope more Native reserves do this in the future as long as it remains safe for the fighters.
This Boxing Commission stuff is a fucking joke. They can't even get decent fights up here due to all the BS they put people through with all the red tape. No wonder we can't get MMA off the ground.

**OZZ** · Posted On: 8/03/2007 8:55pm

Originally Posted by andrewa

I seriously doubt the boxing commission gives a rat's ass about the safety of MMA fighters. What they do care about is trying to protect the safety of their bank accounts by eliminating any competition. If anyone thinks this is farfetched we should remember kickboxing was banned in Ontario in the early 80's for three years due to so-called "safety concerns".

Yes, because it was getting popular - that was the real reason. Then that fighter was killed so they had an excuse.

**Roidie McDouchebag** · Posted On: 8/03/2007 9:02pm

In Ontario, Native Reserves are definitely the way to go. In BC, we can do it anywhere there's a friendly city councillor in charge of athletics (which is almost anywhere, fights=money from outside of town).