4.24 Role of Medical Officers at WBC-Sanctioned Bouts.
Although local boxing commissions are responsible for medical supervision of all boxing
matches including WBC-sanctioned contests, it is the WBC’s desire and strong
recommendation that the following measures be adopted in boxing matches of all kinds, and
especially in WBC bouts:
(a) There should be no less than two (2) doctors present, one (1) of whom (the senior
doctor) must be and remain at ringside throughout the bout, while his assistant or
colleague must be ready to go to the dressing rooms should any medical emergencies
arise while a bout is in progress, for example involving a boxer that has competed
earlier. All doctors must be skilled in the management of an unconscious patient.
(b) Each doctor should attend the boxing event fully equipped, including
sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, suturing material,
patella hammer, an emergency airway, and a portable resuscitator in case of
emergency.
(c) Doctors should visit the boxers prior to the contest to advise and ensure that no
stimulant or any kind of prohibited drug is used before or during the contest.
(d) During a contest, the referee may call time out and invite the ring doctor to examine a
boxer for a cut or other injury, or to evaluate the boxer’s ability to continue. During
the sixty (60) second rest period, a ring doctor may also on his own initiative examine
a boxer in his corner, although he should not interfere with the seconds’ work; the
doctor may then advise the referee of his medical opinion as to the boxer’s injuries
and ability to continue.
(e) During a fight, no prohibited hemostatics or artificial coverings should be used to
stop bleeding. The only substances permitted to be used by the cornermen during a
bout are water or approved electrolyte beverages, vaseline, ice, and adrenaline
1/1000, Avetine, or other WBC approved hemostatic. No liniments or other
astringent lotions (which could affect wounds on boxers or a person’s) should be
applied to boxers before or during the bout. The use of smelling salts, amyl nitrite, or
similar substances is also not permitted.
(f) A doctor, the WBC Supervisor, or any official of the WBC or local boxing
commission may instruct the referee to or himself may confiscate any substance
suspected of being prohibited, or the referee may do so at his discretion. Any such
substance should be immediately placed in the custody of the WBC or the local
commission for further examination and investigation.
(g) If the senior doctor deems it necessary that a fight should be stopped because of
serious damage or risk to a boxer’s health, he must immediately advise the referee.
In a WBC bout, this should be done by handing the red card provided by the WBC to
the referee as an indication of the doctor’s recommendation to stop the fight,
provided, that the decision and authority whether to stop a fight always belongs solely
to the referee.
(h) After a boxer is counted out, or a bout is stopped and the boxer fails to stand up,
doctors should immediately enter the ring, with or without the referee’s call, remove
the boxer’s mouthpiece if still in the boxer’s mouth, establish adequate ventilation,
and attend to the boxer as necessary under the circumstances.
