ABC statement defines 'professional boxing' standards in era of increased influencer fights

03/12/2025 01:50 PM

The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC) on Wednesday issued a statement in which it expressed being “concerned with the definition of a boxing match,” specifically the difference between professional and exhibition fights.

In a day and age where celebrity boxing, catalyzed by the rise of influencers such as Jake Paul and KSI, has become all-time popular, the ABC is asserting what it deems a professional boxing match – and what it does not.

“It is the sense of the Association of Boxing Commissions that, for a pugilistic match to be called ‘professional boxing,’ an event must meet certain criteria that would include minimum medical requirements, round length, judging standards, glove size and weight classifications,” the ABC said in its statement.

“… The term ‘boxer’ means an individual who fights in a professional boxing match and because the ABC, in the published Unified Rules has defined a boxing match as one in which: Each round shall consist of a three (3) minute duration, with a one (1) minute rest period between rounds and because member boxing commissions in the ABC and regulators throughout the world specify minimum medical requirements, drug testing procedures, glove sizes, weight divisions, scoring and age limits, when variations are made such as shortened rounds, non-standard glove sizes and the like, the competition is no longer professional boxing.”

One such example of a professional fight that did not meet the above criteria was last year’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match, which was regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) in November.

Paul and Tyson used 14-ounce gloves (rather than the standard 10 ounces for heavyweights) and fought for eight two-minute rounds (rather than the male standard of three-minute rounds.

“The Association of Boxing Commissions believes that regulatory commissions should regulate all combative sports for the safety of the participants, but celebrity feature fights and other events that deviate from true boxing rules should not be referred to as ‘professional boxing,’ the ABC said. “Whether it is called an exhibition or non-conventional fighting, in which no decision is rendered, or a fight where one is determined, unless standard boxing rules are utilized, it is a sham if billed as a professional boxing event. It is fraught with evils such as the risk of mismatches, gambling manipulation and dangers to participants. The term ‘professional boxer’ is one which is held in high esteem for those few athletes who compete in the sweet science and follow all the rules set forth.”

Tuesday’s statement was signed by a ABC president Mike Mazzulli (Mohegan Sun), first vice president Scott Bowler (Utah), past president Brian Dunn (Nebraska), second vice president Matt Schowalter (Minnesota), treasurer Dennis Reno (North Carolina), and secretary Tim Shipman (Florida).

The ABC added that it is not against modified standard bouts taking place but said commissions must do so under an exhibition designation. Mazzulli is regulating the KSI vs. Dillon Danis match on March 29 in Manchester, England, which will be an exhibition – not a professional contest.

“If commissions, sanctioning bodies or promoters are allowed to alter the rules to suit particular weaknesses or strengths of competitors, the integrity that remains in the sport of boxing will be destroyed,” the ABC said. “Promoters claiming that this event needs one-minute rounds, claiming another event needs six-ounce gloves, claiming that other events are only for three rounds, or promoters using only two judges rather than three, or a promoter who wants an event scored on points, not on a 10 point must. None of this means a commission or regulatory body must refuse consideration of the event, but under no circumstances it should be titled ‘professional boxing’ regardless of opponents on the card.”

The ABC’s full statement can be viewed here.