[ill_repute]

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/box...=ESPNHeadlines

The Nevada State Athletic Commission adopted two major rules changes at its meetings in Las Vegas on Wednesday that could have a significant impact on boxing in the fight capital of the United States.



In two 5-0 votes, the commission approved the use of instant replay for boxing and mixed martial arts bouts and also amended a rule that previously did not allow fighters in either sport to apply for a license in the state if they had previously suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.


Edwin Valero, who suffered a head injury in a 2001 motorcycle accident, can now apply for a license to fight in Las Vegas.

Both new rules are expected to go into effect in September, said Keith Kizer, the executive director of the Nevada commission. He said both must be approved by the Nevada's Legislative Counsel Bureau, which will make sure neither violates any state statutes.



"They'll look at them and they'll file them with the state librarian," Kizer said. "Bottom line is that within 30 days they should be on the books."



The Sept. 19 Floyd Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez card at the MGM Grand is the first significant boxing show in the state under which replay could be used.



"Mayweather-Marquez will either be the first under the new regulations or the last under the old regulations," Kizer said.



The use of instant replay was adopted on a limited basis and will be at the sole discretion of the referee. Kizer said it will only be used when an injury forces a fight to be stopped.



"An eye poke, a cut, something along those lines," Kizer said. "The cut happens, the fighter cannot continue and the referee makes a call whether it was caused by a punch or a head butt. If he feels the use of replay will help him be sure, he can review it. It's no different than the NFL. If the replay is inconclusive, the initial call stands."



Replay will not be used, Kizer said, to determine such things as whether a knockdown is caused by a punch or was a slip.



"I like the accuracy it can provide," said Todd duBoef, the president of Las Vegas-based promoter Top Rank. "As long as the use of replay does not jeopardize the action of the contest, I think it will be a good thing and very healthy for the sport."



Featherweight contender Rocky Juarez, who challenges Chris John for his title on the Mayweather-Marquez undercard, also supports the use of replay.



"I believe it is a good thing," Juarez said. "A lot of times fights are stopped where there's a head butt and you don't know if it was accidental or intentional. Replay clears that up."



Since 1972, Nevada rules prevented a fighter who had suffered a head injury, such as a subdural hematoma (bleeding on the brain), from applying for a license, even if the injury was not related to fighting and there was no longer evidence of it in medical testing.



That rule is what prevented fighters such as heavyweight Joe Mesi and lightweight titlist Edwin Valero from asking Nevada for a license after injuries.



But with advances in medical technology, the commission revisited the rule and took its unanimous vote after a recommendation from Dr. Albert Capanna, a neurosurgeon and chairman of Nevada's medical advisory board, which also approved of the rule change.



It is significant for Valero, who suffered a head injury in a 2001 motorcycle accident. He turned pro in 2002 and fought without any issues but was denied a license in New York when he failed a pre-fight MRI in 2004. New York placed him on the indefinite suspension list. Other states honored the ruling as suggested they do under the rules of the Association of Boxing Commissions.



Valero eventually continued his career in Japan and won a junior lightweight title. In March 2008, Valero was granted a license in Texas, which had him submit to a battery of tests before allowing him to fight there. In April, Valero fought in Austin, Texas, and knocked out Antonio Pitalua in the second round to claim a lightweight title.



But Valero wants the bigger money fights that are usually associated with Las Vegas. His promoter, Top Rank, has designs on putting him in a significant bout on the Nov. 14 Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao undercard.



Now, Valero, and any other fighter in a similar situation, can at least apply for a license. The commission will consider each fighter on a case-by-case basis.



"A lot of things have changed since 1972 in terms of medical testing," Kizer said. "We have a better ability to scan and some scans didn't even exist in 1972. The commission is not changing its view of these injuries, just changing so we can utilize modern medicine in making a determination. Anyone with a hemorrhage history would have to go before the medical advisory board and probably get a ton of different tests and then the commission would make its decision. Just because you can apply now doesn't mean it's going to be easier to get a license if you've had a hemorrhage."



Valero's MRI films were sent to the commission months ago in anticipation of the rule change. Kizer said Capanna was encouraged by the initial review of the films, but Valero will have to submit to extensive testing and a review by the medical advisory board and commission before he is granted a license.



"I think the change of the rule is the commission adapting to use information that is available," said duBoef, Valero's promoter. "There have been many medical experts that believe that there is not enough evidence to prohibit a fighter from participating in a contest if they have had a previous cerebral hemorrhage. We've seen a number of participants who have fought after a cerebral hemorrhage and had good careers. Now at least Nevada will consider the application.



"We'll explore the process to get Valero a license in the state of Nevada," duBoef said. "We'll go through the inspections and battery of tests in order to get him licensed. Nevada should be commended for getting up to date and modernizing the commission's rules."



Dan Rafael is ESPN.com's boxing writer.

[Medpatient]

instant replay for boxing and mma, very interesting. I do not think I have ever seen a boxing match or mma match where a replay look like it was needed in a headbutt or cut case, it was always pretty much obvious.

[ill_repute]

I wish I could remember the name of the fighters.....but recently there was a boxing match where there was a headbutt, likely unintentional, but still a headbutt and it split the one guy open REAL bad.

The fight was stopped and I believe ruled a win to the headbutter, and a loss for the headbuttee (I know, thats not really a word) which was BS because it should have been a no contest at the very least. Now this guy that fought his ass off, has a loss on his record that shouldnt even be there.

If anyone can recall the names of those fighters, help a brotha out here.

[Medpatient]

Originally Posted by ill_repute

I wish I could remember the name of the fighters.....but recently there was a boxing match where there was a headbutt, likely unintentional, but still a headbutt and it split the one guy open REAL bad.

The fight was stopped and I believe ruled a win to the headbutter, and a loss for the headbuttee (I know, thats not really a word) which was BS because it should have been a no contest at the very least. Now this guy that fought his ass off, has a loss on his record that shouldnt even be there.

If anyone can recall the names of those fighters, help a brotha out here.

yea I can see that for sure. I am sure it happens like that a bit, plus I guess when you are watching it on TV it is easier to tell then the ref who's view may be blocked by one of the fighters.

[ill_repute]

Originally Posted by Medpatient

yea I can see that for sure. I am sure it happens like that a bit, plus I guess when you are watching it on TV it is easier to tell then the ref who's view may be blocked by one of the fighters.

Yeah I remember the ref saying afterwards, something like "I saw him get hit with the punch then the blood poured out" and I remember the replay telling a completely different story.

[ill_repute]

Found it.

It was Tim Bradley vs. Nate Campbell (Junior Welterweight Title Fight)


After a head butt seemingly opened up a cut over the left eye of Nate Campbell, he told the ringside doctor in the corner that he couldn't see out of the eye. The doctor of course then stopped the bout, however the fight was ruled a victory for Bradley, rather than the No Contest that Campbell had assumed would be ruled.





Jump to about the one minute mark.

[ill_repute]

Originally Posted by Medpatient

yea I can see that for sure. I am sure it happens like that a bit, plus I guess when you are watching it on TV it is easier to tell then the ref who's view may be blocked by one of the fighters.

People like me will bash the ref's usually when my fighters get screwed, but truth be told. I wouldnt want their job, and I would never think I could do any better then them....thats for damn sure.

My cousin has 4 pro MMA fights.....2 of them were BS stoppages and they were both ruled a "no contest" so I guess you could understand why I think its a good thing.

[Medpatient]

Originally Posted by ill_repute

People like me will bash the ref's usually when my fighters get screwed, but truth be told. I wouldnt want their job, and I would never think I could do any better then them....thats for damn sure.

My cousin has 4 pro MMA fights.....2 of them were BS stoppages and they were both ruled a "no contest" so I guess you could understand why I think its a good thing.

yea I dont think I would want to have the refs job either.

Where does your cousin fight out of Ill, is he local. I heard irvine hosts mma fights. I would love to go see a match live.

[ill_repute]

Originally Posted by Medpatient

Where does your cousin fight out of Ill, is he local. I heard irvine hosts mma fights. I would love to go see a match live.

His fights were for King Of The Cage and Gladiator Challenge which are based locally. They often have shows at Saboba Casino and whatever the place is up in Lemoore, Ca. Last KOTC fight we went to had like 16 fights on the card so definately worth the $40 or whatever the tickets were going for.

He was local but has since moved to Vegas to train with Sergio Penha. With Sergios training he has won NAGA (North American Grappling Association) twice in his weigh class / skill level.

He is supposed to fight on Saturday for some no name organization in Florida but after talking to him this morning it sounds like there is an issue with him getting paid.