The 29th Annual Association of Boxing Commissions Conference will be held next week at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. With many of the recent headlining topics in both boxing and mixed martial arts, fighter safety is a top concern for officials.
One of the key topics that will be discussed/addressed is weight loss / weight cutting.
According Gregory Sirb, Executive Director, PA State Athletic Commission, “It is time for BOTH boxing and MMA to follow the NCAA procedures and Techniques.”
The National Collegiate Athletic Association implements a rule that states that ALL wrestlers must maintain at least 5% of the body fat at all times, ( 7% for females).
The American College of Sports Medicine and The American Academy of Pediatrics have set 5% as the minimum percent body fat to insure good health. Going below the minimum of 5% body fat can lead to serious health consequences and impaired performance.
A simple SKIN TEST by all fighters (beginning JANUARY of each year) will be able to determine the lowest weight that all fighters may compete while maintaining the 5% RULE.
This Minimum Fighters Weight (MFW) will be attached to Fight FAX, BoxRec and the ABC MMA Data base, thus ensuring that NO FIGHTER is competing under their MFW.
“By maintaining this 5% RULE – we can be assured that no fighter is “dangerously “cutting to a weight class where physical (and mental) issues can and will occur,” Sirb said.
One of the key topics that will be discussed/addressed is weight loss / weight cutting.
According Gregory Sirb, Executive Director, PA State Athletic Commission, “It is time for BOTH boxing and MMA to follow the NCAA procedures and Techniques.”
The National Collegiate Athletic Association implements a rule that states that ALL wrestlers must maintain at least 5% of the body fat at all times, ( 7% for females).
The American College of Sports Medicine and The American Academy of Pediatrics have set 5% as the minimum percent body fat to insure good health. Going below the minimum of 5% body fat can lead to serious health consequences and impaired performance.
A simple SKIN TEST by all fighters (beginning JANUARY of each year) will be able to determine the lowest weight that all fighters may compete while maintaining the 5% RULE.
This Minimum Fighters Weight (MFW) will be attached to Fight FAX, BoxRec and the ABC MMA Data base, thus ensuring that NO FIGHTER is competing under their MFW.
“By maintaining this 5% RULE – we can be assured that no fighter is “dangerously “cutting to a weight class where physical (and mental) issues can and will occur,” Sirb said.
Great idea & a move towards getting rid of the sport within the sport of weight loss.
Thoughts, opinions?
Who's gonna have to move up a weight division if this becomes a reality?
Comment