Bill in motion in Wisc. to regulate kickboxing
I am beyond overjoyed that the bill has been passed. I am truly thankful for everyone who saw the need to have this sport regulated after witnessing my brother’s tragic death.
In November of last 2014, Wisonsin investigative journalist John Diedrich looked into the death of kickboxer Dennis Munson Jr. Diedrich pointed to a number of shortcomings that could have contributed to the death, including inattention by the corner, referee, and ringside doc, and a lack of regulation.
Now the Wisconsin assembly has approved a bill to step up regulation of combat sports. Wisconsin currently regulates both mixed martial arts and professional boxing, but does not regulate kickboxing.
Once again, Diedrich has the story.
The Assembly passed a bill Tuesday to regulate all unarmed combat sports that involve blows to the head, a measure introduced after the death of an amateur kickboxer in Milwaukee.
The bill passed on a voice vote without debate. The measure now moves to the Senate, where it will receive a committee hearing on Wednesday.
Of Tuesday’s vote, Munson’s sister, Brandy Gee, said, “I am beyond overjoyed that the bill has been passed. I am truly thankful for everyone who saw the need to have this sport regulated after witnessing my brother’s tragic death. So many lives will be saved by what happened in Madison today… This is just the beginning.”
The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc), said it puts in place important safety protocols.
Munson died “under circumstances that should have constituted negligence. A lack of oversight at the state level provided no legal remedy for Dennis’s family to seek justice for his death,” he said in a statement.
“Today is truly a win for Dennis Munson Jr. and his family. The circumstances surrounding his death are beyond heartbreaking. This legislation will put in place important, common sense protocols that I hope will prevent future tragedies in the ring.”
Had the Munson fight been regulated, there would have been officials from the state on hand, including inspectors. The state said it could not investigate Munson’s death and the circumstances surrounding the fight because kickboxing was not regulated.
At a hearing on the bill, AB76, Gee passionately and tearfully asked legislators to act.
“I don’t want my brother to have died for nothing,” she told committee members in November. “If this were regulated, people (in charge of the fight) would take their jobs more seriously.”
