LANSING -- A Senate committee delayed a vote Wednesday on state boxing reform, probably until next week, to study concerns about how to fund the Michigan Boxing Regulatory Act.

Tom Martin, speaking for the Department of Labor and Economic Growth, said the department estimates costs for regulating boxing would soar from $113,000 to $280,000 annually under the proposal.

"We're very happy with the bill from a regulatory standpoint. From a financing standpoint, we're extremely concerned," Martin said.

Others scoffed at the estimate.

Former Michigan Athletic Board of Control chairman Stuart Kirschenbaum called the figure "trumped up."

The state's leading promoter, Bill Kozerski, pointed out that the powerful Nevada State Athletic Commission operates on a $332,000 budget. And Nevada regulates not just professional boxing, as the Michigan bill proposes, but also amateur boxing, martial arts, and pro wrestling.

"If boxing is regulated in Michigan for $113,000 now, there is no justification for that kind of increase in cost," Kozerski said. "I think (DLEG) realizes there's a serious need to reevaluate that estimate."

Bill sponsor Rep. David Robertson (R-Grand Blanc) said he has received indications that Gov. Jennifer Granholm intends to sign the bill into law when it reaches her.

Among the several boxing figures giving testimony were Emanuel Steward and Thomas Hearns.

Several of those offering testimony spoke about the history of "butting heads" between the Athletic Board of Control and DLEG.

A significant amendment since the bill passed the House of Representatives 106-1 in January is the elimination of the DLEG director as a voting member of the Michigan Boxing Commission, which would be created by the bill. The amendment makes the director an ex officio non-voting member.

The seven voting commissioners would be gubernatorial appointees, a majority of them boxing licensees.

Another key aspect of the bill is a dramatic increase in insurance minimums promoters must provide for fighters. Current state minimums, established in 1952, require $1,000 medical and $5,000 accidental death coverages. Both figures would increase to $50,000 under the proposal.

Former light heavyweight champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad stressed fighter safety in his testimony. Muhammad, who has created a union called Joint Association of Boxers (JAB), affiliated with the Teamsters, traveled from Las Vegas to lend his support.

"It's time for a change," Muhammad said. "We're in the 21st century. Tell the governor to take a pen and sign that bill.

"When you're a boxer, you're promised to walk into the ring. You're not promised to walk out. This is exactly what I created the union for—the betterment of boxing and the safety of the fighter. If they can pass legislation where boxing people can do it themselves, where people who eat, drink and sleep boxing can govern it themselves, then that has to happen."

If passed, the new law would take effect Sept. 1.

 

The article originally appeared in the Grand Rapids Press on May 27, 2004 and was written by David Mayo.