Judges

[Ron Doyle]

At a national event is it ok to have a judge who is affiliated with one of the fighters?

[Ray Thompson]

Ron,
It is usually NOT ok to have a judge/fighter that is directly affiliated with a fighter. That is not to say that you cannot judge a fighter you might know or have had training time together. It is not uncommon that fighters hook up and workout together therefore it would be impossible for every judge/fighter not to be some what affiliated. Did that make any sense.

[SmackMaster]

ray, how are judges selected for your event? do you select them or does ikf help or appoint them? just wondering how the selection process works, do they have to be certified by ikf? what does ikf or other orgs do about title bouts like a world title? i know it cant work as in boxing since the money isnt there but how does it work with your events? years ago howard hanson and the wka tried to appoint the judges, but wka doesnt have any such power or authority today, if anything, people would laugh at them if they suggested such. do you guys do as ikf asks or just as you can? :confused:

[Austin "OT" Baitman]

IKF will choose the judges for world title bouts. Except for title bouts they do not necessarily have to be IKF certified, but they better have some experience. The promotor is free to select his/her own officials, subject to IKF approval, and any applicable state regulations

As to conlficts of interest, it is generally forbidden for a person to officiate a bout in which:

1. A family member is competing
2. A family member is in the corner of a fighter
3. The official has any direct involvement in the same gym as one of the fighters (POSSIBLE EXCEPTION: Official is from gym X, both fighters also from gym X)
4. The official bears significant professional relationship outside of combative sports to any fighter or cornerperson (i.e. Such fighter or cornerperson is the official's employer or employee

[Ron Doyle]

THANKS OT now maybe you can help with my next question, you seem to be very well educated.