HAR §16-74-120. Foul penalty

The referee may penalize any contestant who fouls his opponent during a contest, by charging such contestant with loss of points, whether the foul or fouls be intentional or unintentional. The referee shall use his own discretion in determining the number of points, if any, chargeable against the contestant in each instance, depending upon the severity or harmlessness of the foul and its effect upon the opponent. The referee shall indicate on the official score card supplied by the commission the number of points taken away from a contestant in any and all rounds in which he may find it necessary to charge the contestant with such loss. The referee shall, at the conclusion of each round, notify the judges and commission representative of the number of points to be deducted in accordance with his determination. (a) Persistent fouling. Persistent fouling by a contestant requiring cautioning by the referee shall be noted on the referee’s score card and called to the attention of the 36 commission for appropriate punishment. Intentional fouling shall be cause for disqualification. (b) Low blows. All contracts for boxing bouts now include the following paragraph: "The boxer agrees to equip himself with an abdominal guard of his own selection, type to be approved by the commission, which will obviate the necessity of any claims being made for low blows during the contest. It is expressly understood that this contest is not to be terminated by a low blow, as the protector selected by the boxer is, in his own opinion, sufficient protection to withstand any so-called low blow." In connection therewith, referees are instructed to count boxers out who fall to the floor claiming foul as a result of a low blow because of the fact that they are now equipped with a protector of their own selection which they agree is of "sufficient protection to withstand any so-called low blow." (c) Intentional. If, by reason of any foul committed intentionally during a contest, an opponent shall be rendered incapacitated or unfit to continue, the contest shall be terminated by the referee and the incapacitated contestant shall be declared the winner if, at the termination thereof, he shall actually be ahead on points. The referee shall, in such event, recommend that the purse of the offending contestant be withheld from payment, for disposition by the commission, and such offender shall be subject to a fine, suspension or other punishment, as may be determined by the commission upon a full hearing thereof. Termination. If the incapacitated opponent referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not be ahead on points, the contest shall, nevertheless, be terminated, no decision shall be rendered by the referee and he shall order the purses of both contestants withheld from payment; a full report shall be made by the referee to the commission and delivered to the executive secretary or inspector assigned or on duty, who shall present such report immediately to the commission; a hearing shall be held by the commission and the disposition of the proceeds of the purses and the fines and penalties and other punishment may be assessed as the commission in its judgment may deem expedient. 37 (d) Unintentional or accidental. In the event of an unintentional or accidental foul (except as provided in these rules) other than low-blow fouls, rendering an opponent incapacitated or unfit to continue (in the opinion of the referee), the contest shall be terminated and the decision awarded to the incapacitated boxer, but the referee shall recommend payment of the purses of both contestants be withheld; the referee shall make a full report thereof, as is otherwise indicated herein, and the matter shall be heard by the commission and be disposed of as the commission may in its judgment deem expedient, including the right on the part of the commission to order a rematch between the opponents at some future date, without further payment to them, or either of them. If a bout is stopped because of accidental or unintentional fouling the referee shall determine whether the boxer who has been fouled can continue or not, and if his chances have not already been seriously jeopardized as a result of the foul, the referee may order the bout continued after a reasonable interval; the timekeeper shall be notified by the referee of his action. (e) Referees are hereby required to report to the commission repeated or persistent intentional or unintentional fouling by any contestant, in which the commission may order a hearing and subject the offending contestant to punishment as may be appropriate under the circumstances, including a fine or suspension, or both. [Eff 10/2/81; comp 10/5/91] (Auth: HRS §440-6) (Imp: HRS §440-19)