CHAPTER 90A
BOXING, MIXED MARTIAL ARTS, AND WRESTLING

Referred to in §10A.202, 10A.204

  
     
90A.1  Definitions.
  As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
  1.  “Boxer registry” means an entity certified by the association of boxing commissions for the purpose of maintaining records and identification of boxers.
  2.  “Commissioner” means the state commissioner of athletics, who is also the director of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing, or the director’s designee.
  3.  “Mixed martial arts match” means a professional or amateur mixed martial arts match or event that is open to the public and an admission fee is charged, a donation is requested from those in attendance, or merchandise or refreshments are available for purchase.
  4.  “Official” means a person who is employed as a referee, judge, timekeeper, or match physician for a match or event covered by this chapter.
  5.  “Participant” means a person involved in a match or event covered by this chapter, and includes contestants, seconds, managers, and similar event personnel.
  6.  “Physician” means a person licensed as a physician pursuant to chapter 148.
  7.  “Physician assistant” means a person licensed as a physician assistant pursuant to chapter 148C.
  8.  “Professional boxing or wrestling match” means a boxing or wrestling contest or exhibition open to the public in this state for which the contestants are paid or awarded a prize for their participation.
  9.  “Promoter” means a person or business that does at least one of the following:
  a.  Organizes, holds, advertises, or otherwise conducts a professional boxing or wrestling match.
  b.  Charges admission for the viewing of a professional boxing or wrestling match received through a closed-circuit, pay-per-view, or similarly distributed signal.
  c.  Organizes, holds, advertises, or otherwise conducts a mixed martial arts match.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, §727A.1; C79, 81, §99C.1]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §944
C87, §90A.1
91 Acts, ch 137, §1; 97 Acts, ch 29, §1; 99 Acts, ch 68, §13; 2010 Acts, ch 1122, §1 – 3; 2022 Acts, ch 1066, §1; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §1823
Referred to in §90A.4

     
90A.2  License.
  1.  A person shall not act as a promoter of a professional boxing or wrestling match or a mixed martial arts match without first obtaining a license from the commissioner. This subsection shall not apply to a person distributing a closed-circuit, pay-per-view, or similarly distributed signal to a person acting as a promoter or to a person viewing the signal in a private residence.
  2.  The license application shall be in the form prescribed by the commissioner and shall contain information that is substantially complete and accurate. Any change in the information provided in the application shall be reported promptly to the commissioner. The application shall be submitted no later than seven days prior to the intended date of the match.
  3.  Each application for a license shall be accompanied by a surety or cash bond in the sum of five thousand dollars, payable to the state of Iowa, which shall be conditioned upon the payment of the tax and any penalties imposed pursuant to this chapter.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, §727A.2; C79, 81, §99C.2]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §936, 944
C87, §90A.2
97 Acts, ch 29, §2; 2010 Acts, ch 1122, §4
Referred to in §90A.6, 90A.9, 90A.11

     
90A.3  Professional boxer registration.
  1.  Each professional boxer residing in Iowa shall register with the commissioner. The registration application shall be in the form prescribed by the commissioner and shall be accompanied by the fee established by rule by the commissioner. The information required by the commissioner shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
  a.  The boxer’s name and address.
  b.  The boxer’s gender.
  c.  The boxer’s date of birth.
  d.  The boxer’s social security number or, if a foreign boxer, any similar citizen identification number or professional boxer number from the country of residence of the boxer.
  e.  The boxer’s personal identification number assigned to the boxer by a professional boxing registry certified by the association of boxing commissions if the boxer is registered with a registry.
  f.  Two copies of a recent photograph of the boxer.
  g.  An official government-issued photo identification containing the boxer’s photograph and social security number or similar foreign identification number.
  2.  The commissioner shall issue an identification card to a boxer registered pursuant to this chapter. The identification card shall contain a recent photograph, the boxer’s social security number or similar foreign identification number, and a personal identification number assigned to the boxer by a boxing registry.
  3.  A registration issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for two years from the date of issue.
  4.  This section does not apply to professional wrestlers or contestants in boxing elimination tournaments.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, §727A.3; C79, 81, §99C.3]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §944
C87, §90A.3
97 Acts, ch 29, §3; 97 Acts, ch 40, §5
Referred to in §90A.6, 90A.8

  
     
90A.4  Promoter responsibility.
   A promoter shall be responsible for the conduct of all officials and participants at a match or event covered by this chapter. The commissioner may reprimand, suspend, deny, or revoke the participation of any promoter, official, or participant for violations of rules adopted by the commissioner. Rulings or decisions of a promoter or an official are not decisions of the commissioner and are not subject to procedures under chapter 17A. The commissioner may take action based upon the rulings or decisions of a promoter or an official. This section shall not apply to a promoter as defined in section 90A.1, subsection 9, paragraph “b”.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, §727A.4; C79, 81, §99C.4]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §944
C87, §90A.4
91 Acts, ch 137, §2; 97 Acts, ch 29, §4; 2010 Acts, ch 1122, §5

     
90A.5  Emergency suspensions.
  1.  Notwithstanding the procedural requirements of chapter 17A, the commissioner may orally suspend a license, registration, or participation immediately if the commissioner determines that any of the following have occurred:
  a.  A license or registration was fraudulently or deceptively obtained.
  b.  The holder of a license or registration fails at any time to meet the qualifications for issuance.
  c.  A contestant fails to pass a prefight physical examination.
  d.  A match promoter permits a nonregistered boxer to participate in a professional boxing match.
  e.  A match promoter permits a person whose license, registration, or authority, issued pursuant to this chapter, is under suspension to participate in a boxing event.
  f.  A match promoter or professional boxer is under suspension by any other state boxing regulatory organization.
  g.  A match promoter or professional boxer is under suspension in any state.
  h.  A match promoter, contestant, or participant is in violation of rules adopted pursuant to section 90A.7.
  i.  A contestant does not present adequate proof of age pursuant to section 90A.12.
  2.  A written notice of a suspension issued pursuant to this section shall be given to the person suspended within seven days of the emergency suspension. The provisions of chapter 17A shall apply once the written notice is given.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, §727A.5; C79, 81, §99C.5]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §944
C87, §90A.5
97 Acts, ch 29, §5; 2010 Acts, ch 1122, §6, 7
Referred to in §90A.6

     
90A.6  Suspensions, denials, and revocations.
  1.  The commissioner may suspend, deny, revoke, annul, or withdraw a license, registration, or authority to participate in a professional boxing or wrestling match or mixed martial arts match if any of the following occur:
  a.  Any of the reasons enumerated in section 90A.5.
  b.  Failure to pay fees or penalties due pursuant to section 90A.2, 90A.3, or 90A.9.
  2.  The provisions of chapter 17A shall apply to actions under this section.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, §727A.6; C79, 81, §99C.6]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §944
C87, §90A.6
91 Acts, ch 137, §3; 97 Acts, ch 29, §6; 2010 Acts, ch 1122, §8

     
90A.7  Rules.
  1.  The commissioner shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 17A, that the commissioner determines are reasonably necessary to administer and enforce this chapter.
  2.  The commissioner shall adopt rules establishing an event fee to cover the costs of the administration of this chapter.
  3.  The commissioner may adopt the rules of a recognized national or world boxing organization that sanctions a boxing match in this state to regulate the match if the organization’s rules provide protection to the boxers participating in the match which is equal to or greater than the protections provided by this chapter or by rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. As used in this paragraph, “recognized national or world boxing organization” includes, but is not limited to, the international boxing federation, the world boxing association, and the world boxing council.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, §727A.7; C79, 81, §99C.7]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §944
C87, §90A.7
90 Acts, ch 1266, §38; 91 Acts, ch 137, §4; 92 Acts, ch 1032, §1; 97 Acts, ch 29, §7; 2013 Acts, ch 137, §33
Referred to in §90A.5

  
     
90A.8  Required conditions for boxing matches.
  1.  A boxing match shall be not more than fifteen rounds in length and the contestants shall wear gloves weighing at least eight ounces during such contests. The commissioner may adopt rules requiring more stringent procedures for specific types of boxing.
  2.  A contestant shall not take part in a boxing match unless the contestant has presented a valid registration identification card issued pursuant to section 90A.3 to the commissioner prior to the weigh-in for the boxing match. The contestant shall pass a rigorous physical examination to determine the contestant’s fitness to engage in any such match within twenty-four hours of the start of the match. The examination shall be conducted by a licensed practicing physician or physician assistant designated or authorized by the commissioner.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, §727A.8; C79, 81, §99C.8]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §944
C87, §90A.8
91 Acts, ch 137, §5; 97 Acts, ch 29, §8; 2021 Acts, ch 76, §150; 2022 Acts, ch 1066, §2

     
90A.9  Written report filed — tax due — penalty.
  1.  The promoter of a professional boxing or wrestling match or event or a mixed martial arts match shall, within twenty days after the match or event, furnish to the commissioner a written report stating the number of tickets sold, the gross amount of admission proceeds of the match or event, and other matters the commissioner may prescribe by rule. The value of complimentary tickets in excess of five percent of the number of tickets sold shall be included in the gross admission receipts. Within twenty days of the match or event, the promoter shall pay to the treasurer of state a tax of five percent of its total gross admission receipts, after deducting state sales tax, from the sale of tickets of admission to the match or event.
  2.  If the promoter fails to make a timely report within the time prescribed, or if the report is unsatisfactory to the commissioner, the commissioner may examine or cause to be examined the books and records of the promoter, and subpoena and examine under oath witnesses, for the purpose of determining the total amount of the gross admission receipts for any match and the amount of tax due pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner may, as the result of such examination, fix and determine the tax, and may also assess the promoter the reasonable cost of conducting the examination. If a promoter defaults in the payment of any tax due or the costs incurred in making such examination, the promoter shall forfeit to the state the sum of five thousand dollars, which may be recovered by the attorney general pursuant to the bond required under section 90A.2, subsection 3.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, §727A.9; C79, 81, §99C.9]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §944
C87, §90A.9
97 Acts, ch 29, §9; 2010 Acts, ch 1122, §9
Referred to in §90A.6, 90A.10, 90A.11

  
     
90A.10  Grants — appropriation.
  1.  Moneys collected pursuant to  section 90A.9  from a professional boxing event are appropriated to the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing and shall be used by the commissioner to award grants to organizations that promote amateur boxing matches in this state. All other moneys collected by the commissioner pursuant to this chapter are appropriated to the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing and shall be used by the commissioner to administer this chapter. Section 8.33 applies only to moneys in excess of the first twenty thousand dollars appropriated each fiscal year.
  2.  The commissioner shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to establish application procedures and criteria for the review and approval of grants awarded pursuant to this section.
  3.  An advisory committee composed of three members of the golden gloves association of America, incorporated — Iowa branch, who shall be appointed by the association, and three members of the United States of America amateur boxing federation — Iowa branch, who shall be appointed by the federation, shall advise the commissioner regarding the awarding of grants pursuant to this section.
84 Acts, ch 1106, §1
C85, §99C.10
86 Acts, ch 1245, §944
C87, §90A.10
87 Acts, ch 26, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1004, §1; 93 Acts, ch 15, §1; 97 Acts, ch 29, §10; 2013 Acts, ch 137, §34; 2024 Acts, ch 1043, §40

     
90A.11  License penalties — cease and desist order.
  1.  A person who acts as a promoter without first obtaining a license commits a serious misdemeanor and shall be liable to the state for the taxes and penalties pursuant to section 90A.9.
  2.  a.  Notwithstanding the procedural requirements of chapter 17A, the commissioner may issue an order to cease and desist a match or event if the criteria of this subsection are met. The county sheriff shall assist with service and enforcement of the commissioner’s order to cease and desist if requested by the commissioner. The provisions of chapter 17A shall apply after enforcement of the order to cease and desist.
  b.  The commissioner may issue an order to cease and desist a match or event if all of the following have occurred:
  (1)  The commissioner conducted an investigation and determined a promoter is organizing, advertising, holding, or conducting an event or match that is within the scope of section 90A.2.
  (2)  The promoter has not applied for or has been denied a license.
  (3)  The deadline to file a timely license application has passed.
  3.  a.  A person who acts as a promoter without first obtaining a license is subject to a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars for each violation.
  b.  The commissioner shall notify the unlicensed promoter of a proposed civil penalty by service in the same manner as an original notice or by certified mail. If within fifteen business days from the receipt of the notice, the unlicensed promoter fails to file a notice of contest in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner pursuant to chapter 17A, the penalty as proposed shall be deemed final agency action for purposes of judicial review.
  c.  The commissioner shall notify the department of revenue upon final agency action regarding the assessment of a civil penalty against an unlicensed promoter. Interest shall be calculated on the penalty from the date of final agency action.
  d.  Judicial review of final agency action pursuant to this section may be sought in accordance with the terms of section 17A.19. If no petition for judicial review is filed within sixty days after service of the final agency action of the commissioner, the commissioner’s findings of fact and final agency action shall be conclusive in connection with any petition for enforcement which is filed by the commissioner after the expiration of the sixty-day period. The clerk of court, unless otherwise ordered by the court, shall enter a decree enforcing the final agency action and shall transmit a copy of the decree to the commissioner and the unlicensed promoter named in the petition.
  e.  Civil penalties recovered pursuant to this subsection shall be remitted by the commissioner to the treasurer of state for deposit in the general fund of the state.
97 Acts, ch 29, §11; 2010 Acts, ch 1122, §10; 2011 Acts, ch 34, §22

     
90A.12  Age requirement for amateur boxing and mixed martial arts contestants.
  1.  A person shall not participate as a contestant in an organized amateur boxing contest unless each contestant participating in the contest meets the age requirements of USA boxing incorporated, or its successor organization. A birth certificate, or similar document validating the contestant’s date of birth, must be submitted at the time of the prefight physical examination in order to determine eligibility.
  2.  Subsection 1 does not apply to contestants in regional, national, or international organized amateur boxing contests or to organized amateur boxing contests involving contestants who are serving in the military service.
  3.  A person shall not be a contestant in a mixed martial arts match unless the contestant is eighteen years of age or older. Each contestant shall submit to the commissioner a certified birth certificate, or similar document, validating the contestant’s date of birth prior to the match in order to verify the contestant’s eligibility. 
97 Acts, ch 29, §12; 2001 Acts, ch 188, §23; 2010 Acts, ch 1122, §11
Referred to in §90A.5