Section 8: Safety Considerations
Pre-Fight Medical Requirements
The WBC requires the following medical examinations and documentation before any championship contest:
- Complete physical examination by a licensed physician within thirty (30) days prior to the bout.
- Current MRI or CT brain scan (within one year for active fighters).
- Eye examination by a licensed ophthalmologist.
- Blood tests including HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C screening.
- Cardiac examination including electrocardiogram (EKG) for fighters over thirty-five (35) years of age.
- Each contestant must be examined by the ringside physician before the bout and certified as fit to compete.
Weight Management and Rehydration Safeguards
The WBC's Weight Management Program (see Section 4) requires 30-day, 14-day, and 7-day preliminary safety weigh-ins in addition to the official weigh-in, so that a contestant's weight loss and re-hydration ahead of a championship bout can be monitored and managed by the local commission and WBC representative rather than left to a single last-minute cut. The program is intended to reduce the health risks associated with extreme, rapid weight-cutting immediately before a bout.
Ringside Medical Coverage
- At least one qualified ringside physician must be present at ringside throughout the entire event.
- An ambulance with emergency medical technicians must be present at the venue throughout the contest.
- Emergency evacuation procedures must be established, with a designated hospital identified for emergency cases.
- The ringside physician has the authority to stop the bout at any time for medical reasons and may advise the referee accordingly.
Referee Stoppage (TKO)
The referee shall stop the contest when:
- A contestant is unable to defend themselves intelligently.
- A contestant is being badly outclassed and taking excessive punishment.
- A contestant is injured and, in the referee's opinion, cannot safely continue.
- A cut is sufficiently severe that it poses a risk to the fighter's safety, as advised by the ringside physician.
Post-Fight Medical Protocols
- Any contestant who has been knocked out or has received a technical knockout due to head blows shall be suspended for a minimum of thirty (30) days.
- Any contestant who has been knocked out in successive bouts shall be suspended for a minimum of ninety (90) days.
- Medical clearance from a licensed physician is required before returning to competition after a knockout or TKO.
- The WBC maintains detailed medical records for all fighters competing in WBC-sanctioned events.
Mandatory Title Defense
The successful contestant of a WBC championship must defend the title within the weight class within a period determined by the WBC (typically within nine months of winning or last defending the title). Failure to do so grants the WBC the right to declare the title vacant.
Appeals Process
Appeals of bout decisions or results must be submitted in writing to the WBC Board of Directors within a specified period following the bout. The appeal must include the date, time, and location of the bout; participants' names and weight division; the referee's name; the WBC Commissioner's name; and detailed reasons for the appeal, including any evidence. The Board of Directors shall review the appeal and render a decision based on the WBC Rules and Regulations.