[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E542]]
   BILL TO REQUIRE ALL PROFESSIONAL BOXERS IN UNITED STATES TO WEAR 
                                HEADGEAR

                                 ______


                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 1995
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to 
require all professional boxers to wear headgear during all 
professional fights held in the United States. Under my bill, all 
professional fighters in the United States would have to wear headgear 
that meets the standards established by the International Olympic 
Committee. Any State or tribal boxing authority that allows a 
professional boxer to fight in a professional fight without headgear 
would be subject to a Federal fine of up to $1,000,000.
  The recent incident in the super-middleweight championship fight 
between Gerald McClellan and Nigel Benn is yet another reminder that 
something must be done to better protect professional boxers from head 
injuries. After being knocked out in the 10th round of what was 
described by the British press as one of the most brutal fights of the 
century, McClellan collapsed in his corner. He was rushed to the 
hospital and underwent emergency surgery to remove a blood clot in his 
brain. He is still in critical condition.
  While headgear alone will not prevent all head injuries in boxing, it 
will go a long way in protecting boxers. Amateur boxing requires all 
fighters to wear headgear, and the number of serious head injuries in 
amateur boxing is significantly lower than in professional boxing. 
According to an article that appeared in the British Medical Journal on 
June 18, 1994,

       During boxing training sessions head protection is 
     regularly worn and is now a feature of the Olympic Games. In 
     countries where headgear is compulsory there has been a 
     reduction in the number of facial cuts and knockouts.

  My legislation, Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1995, is a modest 
measure that will provide professional boxers in this country with some 
protection against head injuries. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor 
this bill. The full text of the legislation appears below:
                                H.R. --

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Professional Boxing Safety 
     Act of 1995''.

     SEC. 2. HEADGEAR REQUIREMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL BOXERS.

       Any individual who participates as a boxer in a 
     professional boxing match shall, during such participation, 
     wear headgear that meets the standards established by the 
     International Olympic Committee.

     SEC. 3. CIVIL PENALTY.

       The Attorney General of the United States may impose a 
     civil monetary penalty against any State boxing authority if 
     the Attorney General determines on the record after 
     opportunity for an agency hearing that the State boxing 
     authority has allowed a boxer to participate in a 
     professional boxing match without the headgear required by 
     section 2. The civil monetary penalty may not exceed 
     $1,000,000 for each violation.

     SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

       For purposes of this Act:
       (1) Professional boxing match.--The term ``professional 
     boxing match'' means a boxing contest held in a State between 
     individuals for compensation or a prize, and does not include 
     any amateur boxing match.
       (2) State.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``State'' means any State of the 
     United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 
     Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
     Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Virgin Islands, any other 
     territory or possession of the United States, and any Indian 
     tribe.
       (B) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' means any 
     Indian tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other organized group 
     or community which is recognized as eligible for the special 
     programs and services provided by the United States to 
     Indians because of their status as Indians and is recognized 
     as possessing powers of self-government.
       (3) State boxing authority.--The term ``State boxing 
     authority'' means a State agency with authority to regulate 
     professional boxing.
     SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       Sections 2 and 3 shall take effect 90 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.
     

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