(1) The commission shall establish classes of participants based upon weights.

(2) The commission shall establish by rule the acceptable difference in weight between participants; however, the maximum difference in weight in boxing matches shall not exceed 12 pounds, except matches in the cruiserweight and heavyweight classes and exhibitions held solely for training purposes.

(3) The commission shall establish by rule the appropriate weight of gloves to be used in each boxing match; however, all participants in boxing matches shall wear gloves weighing not less than 8 ounces each and participants in mixed martial arts matches shall wear gloves weighing 4 to 8 ounces each. Participants shall wear such protective devices as the commission deems necessary.

(4) Participants in a match shall be weighed on the same scale at a time and place to be determined by the commission or a commission representative. The weigh-in shall be conducted in the presence of the opponent of the participant and a commission representative. If a participant fails to arrive at the weigh-in at the scheduled time and place, the opponent of the late-arriving participant will be permitted to be weighed without the late-arriving participant present. The participant who arrived at the weigh-in on time shall not lose his or her right of observing the weighing in of his or her opponent. The weigh-in shall occur no sooner than 4 p.m. on the day preceding the date of the program of matches or at such other time as designated by the commission or commission representative.

History.—ss. 2, 4, ch. 84-246; s. 6, ch. 88-365; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 123, ch. 99-251; s. 12, ch. 2002-172.