[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1613-E1614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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        THE STATE RECIPROCITY IN PROFESSIONAL BOXING ACT OF 1997

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the State Reciprocity in 
Professional Boxing Act of 1997, a bill that ensures that professional 
boxers under suspension in any State will not be able to fight in a 
professional bout anywhere else in the United States. The bill is 
intended to close a loophole in the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 
1996, made compellingly visible by the disgraceful performance of Mike 
Tyson at the Las Vegas fight on June 28, 1997.
  As we learned from our consideration of the Professional Boxing 
Safety Act of 1996, professional boxing is not only a brutal sport 
whose purpose is to cause serious physical harm to its participants; it 
has attracted corruption and organized crime influence for many years. 
Members who were responsible for shepherding last year's legislation, 
in particular Congressman Michael Oxley, Senator John McCain, and 
former Congressman Pat Williams, successfully addressed many of the 
most pressing problems of the sport. The country is particularly 
indebted to the pathbreaking work by the Members of the House and the 
Senate who took the leadership in achieving the first comprehensive 
Federal legislation to protect the welfare of professional boxers and 
provide for appropriate oversight of the professional boxing industry.
  I am introducing this legislation today because of the recent 
heavyweight match between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield in Las Vegas 
that stunned the world. Mr. Tyson viciously, deliberately, and 
inexplicably bit Mr. Holyfield's ear twice, during the third round of 
their heavyweight championship bout. On the second bite, Mr. Tyson bit 
off a part of the ear itself. Upon review of Mr. Tyson's actions, the 
Nevada State Athletic Commission unanimously disciplined him by 
revoking his boxing

[[Page E1614]]

license for a 1-year period and fining him the maximum amount, the sum 
of $3 million on July 8.
  Other States, however, are not required to honor Nevada's action. 
Under our legislation passed by the 104th Congress, States are required 
to recognize another State's decision to suspend a boxer only if the 
reasons for the suspension relate to a boxer's medical condition, poor 
boxing skills, failure of a drug test, or falsification of information. 
Thus, today, any other State may host a boxing match featuring Mr. 
Tyson prior to the expiration of his suspension if the State notifies 
and consults with Nevada Athletic Commission prior to granting 
approval. Mr. Tyson could conceivably fight in a boxing match somewhere 
else in the U.S. some time before his suspension in Nevada expires.
  The legislation which I introduce today would unequivocally foreclose 
this possibility. I am proposing that in addition to the existing 
requirements of the Professional Boxing Safety Act, States must ensure 
that no boxer is permitted to box while under suspension by any other 
State due to the boxer's commission of a malicious foul or infraction. 
A malicious foul or infraction is defined to include intentionally 
biting any part of an opponent's body or extremities. It also 
encompasses some of the more common dirty tricks used by boxers, such 
as intentionally headbutting or hitting below the belt.
  Most Americans would be appalled if they knew that Mike Tyson could 
conceivably fight somewhere outside Nevada within the next year. Many 
of us cannot imagine this possibility, but the fight game and its 
promoters are known for unacceptable and brazen actions. The 
legislation that I propose today ensures that no boxer will be allowed 
to fight in the ring after any State has imposed a disciplinary 
suspension on the boxer to punish the boxer's misconduct during a 
fight. It does so by building upon the comprehensive framework that 
Congress, with overwhelming bipartisan support, has already wisely 
enacted.

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