Bill Easing Boxer Rules Awaits Re-Introduction

Bill Easing Boxer Rules Awaits Re-Introduction/by Bill Harris

MADISON, Wisc., March 2, 2003 – Turmoil in the state capital here over budget problems, pay to play, casino gambling and other pressing topics has caused delays in plans by Assemblyman Pedro Colon (Dem – Milwaukee) to re-introduce a boxing bill that would relieve Wisconsin licensing bureaucrats of managing amateur boxing tournaments in the state and allow younger boxers to compete.

The author of the bill, Colon, is hoping to get an influential senator to co-sponsor the bill with him and then move ahead with it among their own colleagues in both assembly and senate. Early last summer, the measure (then called AB-163) was passed by the assembly and senate, and sent on to the governor for what was expected to be an uncomplicated signing but it was vetoed.

The then-governor, Scott McCallum said the bill should stand on its own and not be piggy backed on the state’s budget bill as had been done and he essentially excised it. His action’s dumbfounded most boxing supporters here who regularly see their charges either defeated or never even compete in the sport because of a regulation that forbids boxing by anyone younger than 14. In some areas Indian reservations hold boxing events and there the law does not apply so younger athletes can get much needed experience that will let them compete.

The legislation would turn over boxing regulation in Wisconsin to USA Boxing, as is the case in every other state in the Union. Gary Pliner, a USA Boxing official and boxing gym operator in Janesville, was upset when McCallum issued the veto.

USA Boxing maintains it has an exemplary safety record but detractors continually assert that boxing is unsafe, usually presenting arguments that make no distinction between professional and amateur boxing and frequently ignore records that show boxing to be way down the line when it comes to injuries incurred by participants.   Colon’s office was expecting to get the bill introduced in the next few weeks. Colon recently announced that he would run for mayor of Milwaukee.