By Rick Reeno
MGM Grand, Las Vegas - As BoxingScene.com reported earlier, Frank Espinoza, manager of Carlos Molina, has objected to Adrien Broner's new beard. Broner faces Molina tomorrow night as part of the Mayweather-Maidana Showtime Pay-Per-View.
Espinoza cites the rules of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, because he feels Broner's beard presents a potential hazard in the fight and he doesn't want any controversial outcomes.
NAC 467.598 Physical appearance of unarmed combatants. (NRS 467.030)
3. The Commission’s representative shall determine whether head or facial hair presents any hazard to the safety of the unarmed combatant or his or her opponent or will interfere with the supervision and conduct of the contest or exhibition. If the head or facial hair of an unarmed combatant presents such a hazard or will interfere with the supervision and conduct of the contest or exhibition, the unarmed combatant may not compete in the contest or exhibition unless the circumstances creating the hazard or potential interference are corrected to the satisfaction of the Commission’s representative. [Athletic Comm’n, § 18, eff. 4-25-78]—(NAC A 11-2-88; 12-2-97; R070-01, 8-31-2001)
According to Espinoza, he spoke to the commission and they informed Broner [and adviser Al Haymon] that he needs to shave his beard before the fight.
"I applaud the Nevada State Athletic Commission for being fair. We wanted everything on an even playing field and we got it," Espinoza told BoxingScene.com.
