Sen. Allen Proposes Bill To Ban Slap Fighting
Slap fighting is a combat sport where opponents take turns delivering open-handed slaps to each other's faces, aiming for knockouts or judge's decisions. It has been known to result in concussive brain trauma. The "sport" has drawn criticism from doctors because fights end by knockout (KO), technical knockout (TKO) from injury, or judge's decision if they go the full rounds.
The dangers from Slap Fighting have drawn the attention of Cottondale State Senator Gerald Allen who has prefiled Senate Bill 7, that would permanently ban slap fighting in the state.
The bill allows the Attorney General to bring a civil action requesting relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order, against any person he or she believes is violating any provision
Allen's legislation has drawn support from the Alabama Athletics Commission, "The Alabama Athletic Commission was one of the first Athletic Commissions in the United States to ban the sport of “Slap Fighting” in 2022, despite requests from sanctioning organizations. Since the ban, we have been consistent in keeping and enforcing the ban in the State of Alabama. This decision was reached after rigorous debate amongst commissioners and consulting with Combat Sports officials and medical practitioners with expertise in combat sports. Unlike other forms of combat sports regulated by the AAC, “Slap Fighting” by its own ruleset offers no way for competitors to intelligently defend themselves. The AAC is further concerned with the increased risk of brain injury and other long-term effects of the participants." -- Chairman Joel R. Blankenship.
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) is a study of the impact resulting from slap fighting. A total of 78 fights were analyzed, comprising 333 slaps and 139 sequences among 56 contestants. Concussive signs were observed after 97 slaps (29.1%) and 72 sequences (51.8%). Of the 56 contestants, 44 (78.6%) had at least 1 concussive sign, and 20 instances of second impact (i.e., a contestant showing a visible sign of concussion after having shown signs after a previous slap) were observed.
The legislative session begins Tuesday, January 13.
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