# COMAR Title 09 — Maryland Department of Labor

## Subtitle 14 — State Athletic Commission

### Chapter 15 — State Championships

**Authority:** Business Regulation Article, §4-205, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: May 6, 1996 (23:9 Md. R. 669)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02 amended effective July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02A amended effective March 9, 1998 (25:5 Md. R. 367)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03 amended effective July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04B amended effective July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05 amended effective July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05E amended effective March 9, 1998 (25:5 Md. R. 367)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .06 amended effective July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .07 amended effective March 9, 1998 (25:5 Md. R. 367); July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .08 amended effective July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898)

#### Regulation .01 Designation.

*COMAR 09.14.15.01*

A. The Commission may designate a contest as one in which the winner is declared the State champion for the weight class in which the contest takes place.

B. A contest may not be promoted as being for a State championship contest without the prior consent of the Commission.

#### Regulation .02 Eligibility.

*COMAR 09.14.15.02*

A. To be eligible to participate in a State championship contest, a contestant shall:

  (1) Reside in Maryland for at least 1 year preceding the State championship contest; or

  (2) Participate in at least two contests in Maryland within a 24-month period preceding the State championship contest.

B. In determining the eligibility of a contestant to participate in a State championship contest, the Commission shall consider the contestant's:

  (1) Official record;

  (2) Experience; and

  (3) Fitness to compete in a contest pursuant to COMAR 09.14.04.

#### Regulation .03 Challenging for a State Championship.

*COMAR 09.14.15.03*

A. To challenge for a State championship, a contestant shall submit a written challenge to the Commission.

B. Upon determining that a contestant is eligible as provided in Regulation .02 of this chapter, the Commission, within 10 days after its determination, shall notify the existing State champion in the pertinent weight class, if any, of the:

  (1) Filing of the challenge; and

  (2) Date by which a title defense shall be made.

#### Regulation .04 Defense of a State Championship.

*COMAR 09.14.15.04*

A. If a proper challenge is made, a State champion shall defend the State championship within 6 months from the date of winning or retaining a State championship.

B. The Commission may extend the time within which a State championship is to be defended if:

  (1) A determination by the Commission that a contestant is an eligible challenger is made within 30 days of the time within which the State championship is to be defended; or

  (2) The State champion is suffering from an injury or ailment, certified by the Commission's medical staff, that renders the State champion unfit to participate in a contest.

#### Regulation .05 Loss of State Championship.

*COMAR 09.14.15.05*

The Commission may void a State championship held by a contestant for any of the following reasons:

A. A loss in the ring in a State championship contest;

B. A forfeit in a State championship contest;

C. The inability to make weight for a State championship contest;

D. The failure to defend a State championship as required by Regulation .04 of this chapter;

E. The winning of a regional, continental, or world championship title;

F. A violation of Business Regulation Article, Title 4, Annotated Code of Maryland, or any regulation of the Commission; and

G. A violation of any federal or state law other than minor traffic violations.

#### Regulation .06 Determination of Champion Status.

*COMAR 09.14.15.06*

A contestant is considered a State champion only by winning a State championship contest, and a contestant may not be considered a State champion by way of default.

#### Regulation .07 Length and Time of Rounds.

*COMAR 09.14.15.07*

A contest to determine a State champion consists of:

A. Ten 3-minute rounds in a boxing or kickboxing contest; and

B. Five 5-minute rounds in a mixed martial arts contest.

#### Regulation .08 Promotional Activities.

*COMAR 09.14.15.08*

A person may not promote or advertise a contestant as a State champion or challenger for a State championship in a false or misleading manner.

#### Regulation .09 Championship Belt.

*COMAR 09.14.15.09*

A. The promoter of a State championship contest is responsible for the cost of a State championship belt.

B. The design of a State championship belt is subject to the approval of the Commission.