WBC Medical & Anti-doping Regulations

The following are key excerpts from the World Boxing Council's (WBC) Medical and Anti-doping Regulations, particularly regarding the role of medical officers at WBC-certified bouts (article 4 line 13):

Even though local boxing commissions are responsible for providing medical attention at bouts, including WBC-certified title fights, it is the WBC's desire and strong recommendation that the following recommendations be adopted in boxing matches of all kinds and especially in WBC title bouts: a) There must be two doctors present at each WBC title contest, one of whom (the senior doctor) must be and remain at ringside throughout the bout, while his assistant or colleague must be ready to go back to the dressing room(s) should any medical problems arise during a bout. If the doctors deem it necessary for the fight to be stopped because of serious damage to the boxer's health, he must hand the red card over to the referee as an indication of the need to stop the bout; however, the decision to stop a bout will be the referee's responsibility. b) Both doctors should attend the boxing arena fully equipped, including sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, auriscope, ophthalmoscope, suturing material, patella hammer, an emergency airway and an adequate portable resuscitator in case of emergency. Both doctors must be skilled in the management of an unconscious patient. 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. No prohibited hemostatics or artificial coverings should be used to stop bleeding, and no liniments or other astringent lotions (which could damage wounds on boxers or the doctor's own eyes) should be applied to boxers before or during the contest. Also, the use of smelling salts, amylnitrite, or similar substances are not permitted under these Rules and Regulations. d) Should anything untoward occur or any problems arise concerning prohibited substances, the doctor, or the WBC representative or the local boxing commissioner should instruct the referee to confiscate, or may on his own, confiscate such substance or substances. This shall also be done at the discretion of the referee himself, if he detects a questionable substance. e) At the referee's invitation, the ring doctor should give his opinion of a wound during the bout, or go on his own to the boxer's corner during the 60 second resting period between rounds, although he should be careful not to interfere with the handlers' work. f) 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 mouth, establish adequate ventilation, and have the boxer lie on his left side.

Source: www.wbcboxing.com