Give bare-knuckle a fighting chance, supporters say

Several members of the New Mexico combat-sports community spoke at Monday’s New Mexico Athletic Commission meeting in favor of bare-knuckle fighting, a sport the NMAC’s revised rules, as proposed, would ban going forward.

The commission, meanwhile, tabled discussion of rules pertaining to bare-knuckle during the NMAC’s Monday rules hearing. No action was taken regarding them.

“It’s one of those situations where I think we need more research,” NMAC chairman Ed Manzanares said. “I think we need more information.

“It’s something that moved pretty fast,” he said, referring to the public’s vocal reaction to the proposed ban. “I think the commission as well as a few other entities want more information on it.”

In advocating for bare-knuckle, attendees at Monday’s meeting argued that the sport is no more dangerous than boxing or mixed martial arts, perhaps less so, and that bare-knuckle has found favor with the public —- generally drawing larger crowds than MMA or boxing.

“Bare-knuckle in the last decade has had the biggest ticket sales and the most economic impact (among the combat sports in the state),” said Gabriel Padilla, an Albuquerque combat-sports reporter and videographer. “And data shows that there’s no safety (issue).”

Allen Dominguez, who has worked in the state as a judge and referee, said bare-knuckle is here to stay, nationally and internationally.

“I know that it’s in 36 states now and in 16 different countries,” Dominguez said.

“I think there’s a lot of research that shows it’s not as dangerous as people may believe.”

Referee Sid Ware expressed concern that if the athletic commission were to ban bare-knuckle fighting, unsanctioned events might take place without adequate supervision or safety precautions.

The sport as sanctioned by the NMAC, Ware said, “has been great. It’s been good for the community, the economy and the people working and participating n it.

“I say keep it, don’t get rid of it, because if you get rid of it there’s going to be unsanctioned events. I can almost guarantee you that.”

Chris Tellez, a combat-sports judge, encouraged the commission to view a study on the subject by Dr. Don Muzzi, a Florida neurologist who serves as chief medical officer for the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the sport’s most prominent and successful promotional company.

Tellez pointed out that a blow landed to an opponent’s head with a bare fist has less impact than does a knee or elbow to the head, as is permitted in MMA.

Referee Joe Coca, while advocating for bare-knuckle, criticized the NMAC for the lack of training it provides for referees and judges.

“If anything’s dangerous here, it’s the lack of training,” said Coca, who has worked as a referee in several other states. “This (the NMAC) is the only sanctioning body that I’ve worked for that doesn’t require training.

“It’s not that bare-knuckle is any more violent than any other (combat) sport. It’s that we have a lack of training here. That becomes dangerous.”

Referee David Rios, who has worked BKFC events, said he’s been impressed with that company’s safety precautions and policies.

“They have five doctors (on hand),” Rios said. “Any little cut that I see on a face, I stop (the fight) and they take care of it right away.”

Mark Sanchez, a combat-sports judge, asked if bare-knuckle is currently banned in the state while the commission considers the rules.

Manzanares said a bare-knuckle promoter could apply for an event permit under the current circumstances, though no bare-knuckle card is up for approval.

In a July 12 Journal story, Albuquerque sports agent Ricky Kottenstette was quoted as saying he’d heard it was New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan who first raised concerns about safety issues regarding bare-knuckle.

Lujan Grisham spokesman Michael Coleman told the Journal via e-mail that the governor planned to wait until after Monday’s NMAC meeting and rules hearing before offering comment.

“She believes all sports in New Mexico should be conducted with safety as a top priority,” Coleman wrote.

A DISSENTING VOTE: Among three comments about the bare-knuckle issue posted on the NMAC website, two were in favor of the sport. Albuquerque’s Don Shrader, however, was a hard no.

Shrader did not limit his opinion to bare-knuckle.

“I damn all violent sports,” Shrader wrote in longhand. “Bare-knuckle fighting, boxing, MMA, football. …”

THE RULES: The NMAC on Monday adopted several revised rules, intended to conform with those of the Association of Boxing Commissions. It tabled for further review revised rules dealing with fees and licensure, as well as those dealing with bare-knuckle.

Dominguez and Jon Judy, an MMA promoter and matchmaker, expressed concern about an increase in annual fees for combat-sports contestants, judges, referees, trainers, managers, et al, from $25 to $75.

Their concern, both men said, primarily was for the fighters, who they said in many cases can’t afford to pay $75 for a license.