NAC approves new rule to end paperwork delays

Lundvall demanded that people going before the five-member commission have their clerical work completed two business days before the scheduled meeting or risk being dropped from the agenda.

Her fellow commissioners agreed, and the new rule went into effect immediately.

“It’s a multitude of factors” behind the new paperwork protocol, Lundvall said. “Any fighter that wishes to be licensed has obligations to us that need to be fulfilled. Also, his opponent has a right to know the person he is competing against is properly licensed.

“I don’t like doing things on the fly. I think two business days is reasonable for the commissioners to go over the facts of all applications.”

Commissioner Skip Avansino agreed.

“All applicants, be they fighters or promoters, should have their paperwork done well ahead of the meeting,” Avansino said. “When they don’t, it’s a waste of their time and of our time.

“We’re pleased to exercise our responsibilities as commissioners, and we want to give everyone a fair hearing. But to do that, we need to have all the information. Right now, we’re not getting everything we need to make a fair decision.”

Lundvall wanted to make an example of light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver, who at age 39 had to undergo comprehensive medical testing before he could be cleared to fight Chad Dawson on Saturday at the Palms. Tarver was informed seven weeks before the fight of his obligations to the NAC, but when his item came up for discussion at the Sept. 30 meeting, he lacked some medical tests, including an ophthalmology report.

Lundvall made a motion to deny Tarver’s request for a license. Chairman John Bailey offered a compromise to allow Tarver to fight assuming his paperwork would arrive in the next couple of days and be in order.

Ultimately, Tarver got the necessary documents to the commission. But Lundvall’s point was clear: She is busy working as a trial lawyer and doesn’t want her time wasted.

NAC executive director Keith Kizer said everyone will benefit from the new rule.

“This will keep the process moving and that the fighters’ safety, which is No. 1, is guaranteed,” he said. “It will also protect the consumers because you don’t want fighters dropping out at the last minute because their medical paperwork wasn’t complete.”

• GILBERT RETURNS — Reno middleweight Joey Gilbert will return to the ring for the first time since September 2007 when he faces Jesse Brinkley in a 12-round super middleweight bout Jan. 30. The site for the bout has not been determined.

Gilbert (15-1) had a lengthy legal battle with the NAC after he tested positive for several banned substances following his 2007 win over Charles Howe. The case wasn’t settled until August, and Gilbert was fined $10,000 and given a one-year retroactive suspension.

Brinkley (31-5) has won five consecutive fights. He took a 12-round unanimous decision over Jason Naugler on June 13 in Reno in his most recent bout.

• COMMISSIONERS RETAINED — Reno-based commissioners Avansino and T.J. Day have been retained on the NAC by Gov. Jim Gibbons. Both commissioners will begin new three-year terms Nov. 1.

Avansino, who first joined the commission in 2002, will begin his third term. Day joined the NAC in 2005 and will be starting his second term.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.