Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

The full House of Representatives this evening approved a bill that would relax the state's boxing rules.

Rhode Island is the only state that still imposes a "three-knockdown" rule, which ends the bout if a fighter is knocked down three times in a single round. (Arkansas has a similar rule on its books, though nearly all fights receive waivers to ignore it, officials there said today).

To help bring Rhode Island standards in line with others around the country, House Minority Leader John Loughlin has proposed repealing the three-knockdown rule here, allowing referees to determine when and if a fight must end.

The proposed change received little discussion in today's floor debate, though several dissenting members said they still have safety concerns.

The bill was approved by a vote of 53 to 13. It must now make its way through the Senate in order to be passed into law.

 Tags  General Assembly House of Representatives John Loughlin politics

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