Big House Boxing

Letter from Enforcement Director for the Bureau and overseer of the enforcement of the Michigan Unarmed Combat Act.

6/24/08

Carl, regarding your inquiry to the department. My name is Archie Millben, I’m the enforcement Director for the Bureau and I oversee the enforcement of the Michigan Unarmed Combat Act. For the last ten years I have overseen the Professional Boxing Program. Regarding the MMA issue: We are currently working on the approval and placement of the rules needed to regulate both boxing and MMA. The lack of proper rules has created a delay in the approval of any professional MMA events in the state. While this delay has been in place, individuals have seen fit to organize and conduct what they call “amateur MMA events” throughout the state. The number of such events has recently reached epic proportions. The number and type of events has generated some interest by the public in controlling such events. In addition, various faction of the MMA community are interested in controlling these events to limit the exposure for possible serious injury which will certainly alert the general public and a push for greater regulation and/or removal of the sport in general will possibly ensue. Therefore, there has been some interest by both the commission and the AG’s office to place immediate controls on the amateur sport until regulation in the form of professional rules can be put in place. There are no letters to shut down any event at this time. I think what is happening is just a general request to the promoters to limit their activity until we can properly protect both the public and the athletes involved in the sport. I hope this adds some clarity to the rumor that all amateur events are being shut down by the AG’s office. Further, I would expect your cooperation in working with the commission in effort to make the future of this sport a popular, safe and profitable venture.

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