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Why did state athletic commissions begin regulating boxing?
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boxing
Manny Pacquiao (right) and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., in their 2015 welterweight bout; Mayweather won in a unanimous decision.
State athletic commissions began regulating boxing as a compromise between outright prohibition and unfettered legalization. Initially, many U.S. states viewed prizefighting as a threat to public order, leading to laws that classified the sport as an illegal assault or riot.1
However, several factors eventually forced authorities to reconsider the sport's value:
- Popularity and Profitability: The sport's growing commercial success and its ability to draw large audiences made it difficult to ignore.1
- Symbolism: The heavyweight champion came to represent American resolve and strength, which increased the sport's social acceptance.1
- Military Utility: During World War I, boxing was recognized as a valuable training tool for developing courage, skill, and character.1
By establishing state boxing and athletic commissions, authorities were able to ensure that matches were conducted under proper conditions, transforming the sport from a perceived lawless activity into a regulated pursuit.1