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Nevada could start using instant replay in boxing and mixed martial arts within a month to help referees review crucial or controversial moments at the end of fights.
The Nevada Athletic Commission approved limited use of the technology to help referees review hits that end fights, including knockouts and hits like low blows or head-butts if they cause the match to end because of injury.
Low blows, head-butts, rabbit punches and other illegal hits can disqualify fighters if referees say they were delivered on purpose, but if ruled accidental a winner is determined by judges’ scorecards.
Instant replay would be used at the sole discretion of referees to either confirm or overturn their initial calls, said Keith Kizer, the commission’s executive director.
“Just like in football, either the play stands, the play is reversed or if it’s inconclusive the play would stand,” Kizer said. “It’s done right then and there, but just like in football you can’t have instant replay once the next play happens.”
Kizer said corners and others could ask for a play to be reviewed but referees won’t be required to go to the monitors unless they feel it’s necessary.
The new rule could be in effect within 30 days, Kizer said. It awaits approval from the state’s Legislative Council Bureau and filing from the state librarian.
That means it’s possible that instant replay could be used during the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Juan Manuel Marquez fight Sept. 19 in Las Vegas.
Kizer said he thinks it’s unlikely, but not impossible, that instant replay could be expanded to other uses in boxing. He said that boxing and mixed martial arts don’t have the same natural breaks in action that other sports that use instant replay have.
“Because of the nature of the sport it’d be very difficult to use it in other situations,” he said.
