All Amateur fighters fighting in states who are
not governed by a State Athletic/Boxing Commission must wear headgear
EXCEPT IF EXEMPT UNDER THE OPTIONAL
HEADGEAR RULE."
ALL Amateur Fighters fighting in States who ARE
governed by a State Athletic/Boxing Commission and are fighting on an
IKF Sanctioned bout shall be governed by
the requirements of the State, Minimum or Maximum requirements for headgear.
UPDATED 11-7-07: For example, in Colorado,
headgear is mandatory for all amateur kickboxers. On the other hand, in
accordance with the California State Athletic Commission (AC) Rules and
Regulations, in California, kickboxers must only have a minimum of 3 fights to
be allowed to shed the headgear. In States such as these where the AC has chief
control over amateur kickboxing, the IKF
will uphold the minimum of the States requirements but also, not overshadow a
States maximum requirement. This means there an amateur fighter in Colorado who
is fighting on an event sanctioned by the IKF,
will always wear headgear, no matter what their past
experience is. On the other hand, in California, the IKF will allow fighters with 3 or more bouts, who
are 18 years old or older, (CA: § 18766.) to shed their headgear if
desired, as mandated by the California State Athletic Commission Amateur
Kickboxing Rules.