Section 320. Number and conduct of seconds

A. Before a contest begins, the chief second and other seconds shall be identified for the officials. The corner shall present the boxer, ready to compete, when the event inspector calls the boxers to the ring and shall present the boxer, ready to box, when the referee calls the boxers to the center of the ring for final instructions.

B. No boxer may have more than three seconds, except that in a world title bout, the department or its contractor may authorize up to five seconds. Seconds must appear at the official weigh-in and prefight meeting at the time and place designated by the department or its contractor.

C. All seconds must keep their shoulders below the ring floor level during the bout. Seconds are prohibited from standing up or leaning on the edge of the ring, mat or floor or slapping the ring, mat or floor while the bout is in progress, or touching the ring ropes until the bell sounds to end the round. Seconds must keep coaching volume down while the bout is in progress and are prohibited from interfering with the officials in any physical or verbal way.

D. Only one of the seconds may be inside the ring ropes between rounds and shall not enter the ring until the bell signals the end of the round. During the rest period, the second may coach his boxer; treat cuts, abrasions or swelling; and provide water, ice, approved sport drinks, or other cooling-down techniques.

E. Any excessive or undue spraying or throwing of water on any boxer by a second between rounds is prohibited. Seconds are responsible for wiping up any fluids in their corners between rounds.

F. Seconds shall not enter the ring to assist or move a boxer who has been knocked down or injured until instructed to do so by the ringside physician. Seconds shall leave the ring at the sound of the timekeeper's warning that 10 seconds remain before the start of the next round, removing all buckets, stools and other equipment promptly.

G. Throwing in the towel is not permitted by any second. If a second enters the ring during the round, the boxer shall be disqualified by the referee. Only the referee can stop the bout.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.