New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVII, Issue 17 / September 9, 2026

 

 

This is an amendment to 15.6.9 NMAC, Sections 8, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17 and 18, effective 09/09/2026.

 

15.6.9.8                UNIFORM REGULATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL BOXING, MIXED MARTIAL ARTS, AND MUAY THAI: [The New Mexico athletic commission adopts the association of boxing commissioners (ABC) uniform rules for professional boxing championships.  In the event of a problem/situation regarding the ABC rules, the final authority shall rest with the commission utilizing its own regulations.  Within 48 hours after the contest, the supervisor’s checklist, a form provided by ABC, shall be completed and returned to ABC by the supervising commission.] The New Mexico athletic commission adopts the association of boxing commissions’ (ABC) Uniform Rules for Professional Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, and Muay Thai. As the ABC updates or adopts changes to its rules, the commission shall implement such changes, unless otherwise determined by the commission.

               A.           [Contest elements considered: In scoring a contest, the elements of offense, defense, clean hitting, ring generalship and sportsmanship shall be carefully considered.] Scoring system: The scoring system utilized by the commission shall conform to and follow the association of boxing commissions’ (ABC) most current and updated scoring criteria.

               B.           Scoring judges: Three judges approved by the commission shall evaluate each contest and score the contest.

               C.           “10 point” must system: The 10-point must system will be the standard system of scoring a boxing contest.

               D.           Winner’s points: The winner of any round is marked a “10”.

               E.           Loser’s points: The loser of any round is marked “1” to “9”.

               F.            Mandatory eight count: Mandatory 8-count after knockdowns will be the standard procedure in all boxing contests.

               G            Standing eight  count: There shall be NO standing eight-count called in any contest.

               H.           Three knockdown rule: There shall be NO three-knockdown rule called in any contest.

               I.            Twenty-second count: A contestant shall receive a twenty-second count if he is knocked out of the ring and onto the floor.

               J.            Referee is sole arbiter: The referee is the sole arbiter of a contest and is the only individual authorized to stop a bout.

               K.           Knockdown rated: The referee shall call a knockdown as such as soon as it occurs.

               L.           Ring generalship: [The contestant who takes advantage of the full “9” count should be credited with “ring generalship”, which would not be credited to him if he arose immediately and tried to continue in a possibly groggy condition.] Is the strategic control of the ring or cage, where a fighter dictates the pace, distance, adn location, forcing the opponent to react to them.

               M.          Foul blows: The use of foul blows and other tactics shall result in a penalty of one point for each foul committed, and the referee shall advise the judges immediately of the number of points to be deducted.

               N.           Disqualification for second’s assist: Contestants are to be unassisted by their seconds.  If a contestant is assisted by his second, the referee shall disqualify the [boxer] unarmed combatant.

               O.           Saved by the bell: A contestant who has been knocked down cannot be saved by the bell in any  round.

[15.6.9.8 NMAC - N, 03/23/2002, A, 09/09/2026]

 

15.6.9.9                KNOCKDOWNS:

               A.           Judges scoring knockdowns: [The judges may score a knockdown in any one round as either one or two points in favor of a contestant who scored the knockdown.] A knockdown shall be scored when a fighter is ruled down by the referee as the result of a legal strike.

               B.           [Judges score independently: Each judge must determine for himself which value shall be placed on the knockdown.] Judges must follow the referee’s ruling on whether a fall was a knockdown or a slip.

[15.6.9.9 NMAC - N, 03/23/2002; A, 09/09/2026]

 

15.6.9.10              PROTOCOL FOR USING SCORECARDS: Judges shall clearly write their decision and sign their scorecards; and they must mark their cards in ink [or in indelible pencil] at the end of each round.

[15.6.9.10 NMAC - N, 03/23/2002; A, 09/09/2026]

 

15.6.9.13              MAJOR FOULS:

               A.           The following are major fouls.

                              (1)          Hitting an opponent who is down or who is rising from the down position.

                              (2)          Using the knee against the opponent in boxing.

                              (3)          Purposely going down without being hit.

                              (4)          Failure to heed the referee’s warning concerning low blows or other minor fouls.

                              (5)          Any dangerous and un-sportsmanlike conduct in the ring.

               B.           The referee may disqualify the offending contestant, and award the bout or any points to the contestant being fouled.

               C.           Disqualification on fouls to the body may only occur if the referee deems that these fouls are flagrant or continual.

[15.6.9.13 NMAC - N, 03/23/2002; A, 09/09/2026]

 

15.6.9.16              REFEREE’S NOTICE TO JUDGES CONCERNING FOULS:

               A.           In the event that the referee determines that a foul has been committed, he shall notify the judges immediately.

               B.           The judges shall deduct one point from the offending contestant’s scores.

               C.           On any illegal blow to the body the referee may order a deduction of points and will give the necessary time for recovery to the injured boxer (with a maximum of five minutes) after consulting with the ringside physician.  If the referee rules this foul was accidental and after five minutes the injured boxer can’t continue, the rules governing accidental fouls shall apply.  A contestant who is hit with an accidental low blow must continue after the five-minute rest or he will lose the bout.

               D.           There may be a deduction of points by the referee at any time for illegal blows [and/or] or conduct by the boxer [and/or] or his corner men.

               E.           In the case of a clear and intentional foul that causes an injury and the contest can still continue, the contestant who was doing the fouling will have two points deducted.

                              (1)          The referee must stop the action and inform all judges and the commission or commission representative of this deduction.

                              (2)          Point deductions for intentional fouls will be mandatory.

[15.6.9.16 NMAC - N, 03/23/2002; A, 09/09/2026]

 

15.6.9.17              CONDITIONS FOR COUNTING A CONTESTANT OUT: A fighter who is hit with an accidental low blow must continue the contest after a reasonable time, but no more [then] than five minutes, or he will lose the contest.

[15.6.9.17 NMAC - N, 03/23/2002; A, 09/09/2026]

 

15.6.9.18              [WRITTEN REPORT TO COMMISSION REGARDING FOULS: If, in any boxing contest, a contestant is penalized with the loss of three or more rounds due to fouls, the referee and each judge must report the matter to the commission, in writing, within 24 hours.] [RESERVED]

[15.6.9.18 NMAC - N, 03/23/2002; Repealed, 09/09/2026]