Public Meeting Notice  Massachusetts State Athletic Commission Meeting - 5.13.26

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Meeting ID: 239 463 471 656 37 

Passcode: G9xg3cx6 

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Meeting phone number:+1 857-327-9245, 4238811343# United States, Boston 

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Phone conference ID: 423 881 134# 

In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A § 20, notice is hereby given that a remote meeting of the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission will be held on May 13, 2026, at 1:00 pm. 

If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in the meeting, please contact Cheryl Yebba at 617-701-8711. While the Board will do its best to accommodate you, certain accommodations may not be available if requested immediately before the meeting.

In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A § 20, notice is hereby given that a remote meeting of the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission will be held on May 13, 2026, at 1:00 pm. 

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting 

1. Roll Call

2. Discuss/Vote Approval of Meeting Minutes from April 08, 2026
3. Commissioner Kelly made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from April 08, 2026, which was seconded by Commissioner Pierce. A roll call vote was held, and the motion passed unanimously, 4-0.
4. Executive Director Report
5. Executive Director Bryan Freitas reported that the Boxers’ Fund current balance as of 5/06/2026 is $155,970.99
6. Board Counsel Report
7. Nothing to report
8. Applications
9. David Salinas, Boxing Referee 
10. After a brief conversation with the applicant, Commissioner Kelly made a motion to deny the Boxing Referee Application for David Salinas for lack of sufficient experience, which was seconded by Commissioner Miller. A roll-call vote was conducted, and the motion passed unanimously, 4-0.
11. Peter Czymbor, Deputy Commissioner 
12. After a brief conversation with the applicant, who is known to the Commission as he is already a licensed Promoter, Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the Deputy Commissioner Application for Peter Czymbor, which was seconded by Commissioner Kelly. A roll-call vote was conducted, and the motion passed unanimously, 4-0.
13. Gavin Leal, Boxing, MMA, & Muay Thai Matchmaker
14. After a brief conversation with the applicant discussing his experience in these disciplines, Commissioner Zakim made a motion to approve the MMA & Muay Thai Matchmaker Application for Gavin Lean, which was seconded by Commissioner Pierce. A roll-call vote was conducted, and the motion failed 2-2.
15. Gene Del Bianco, Boxing Referee
16. After a brief conversation with the applicant who has significant experience in other jurisdictions, Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the Boxing Referee Application for Gene Del Bianco, which was seconded by Commissioner Kelly. A roll-call vote was conducted, and the motion passed unanimously, 4-0.
17. Dr. Edgar Ballenas, Ringside Physician
18. After a conversation with the applicant, whose counsel also participated in the discussion, regarding his experience and disciplinary history with the Commission, Commissioner Pierce made a motion to deny the Ringside Physician’s Application for Dr. Ballenas, which was seconded by Commissioner Miller. Commissioner Pierce advised that the basis for the denial was due to past history as well as the discussion with the applicant during this meeting.  A roll-call vote was conducted, and the motion passed 4-0.
19. Variance Request
20. Request from Christopher Traietti for Granite Chin Promotions 5/16/2026 event for variance from 523 CMR 10.05 (1) regarding the number of rounds on a boxing fight card. Granite Chin Promotions is requesting a variance to allow the reduction of rounds from 28 to 26 at the 5/16/2026 event in Quincy, MA.
21. After a brief discussion with the requestor who explained that he intended to deliver a quality event even if it ended up being fewer than 28 rounds, Commissioner Miller made a motion to approve the variance as submitted, which Commissioner Kelly seconded. A roll-call vote was conducted, and the motion passed unanimously, 4-0.
22. Disciplinary Hearing for Complaints C25-000135, C25-00137, and C25-00133 (Luna, Smith, and Reyes)
23. Commissioner Pierce recused himself from deciding all three cases and participated only as a fact witness for the prosecution. 
24. The Commission began the hearing for C25-00135 at approximately 1:51 p.m. Mr. Reyes attended the hearing, and his attorney, Sean O’Brien, also participated. Prosecutor Salvatore Ciulla presented documents and the testimony of Sean Pierce as evidence. After discussion, Commissioner Kelly made a motion to take this matter under advisement to confer further in Quasi-Judicial session, and Commissioner Miller seconded the motion. A roll-call vote was conducted, and the motion passed unanimously, 3-0.  A written decision will be issued when ready. 
25. The Commission began the hearing on C25-00133 at approximately 2:34pm. Mr. Smith did not attend the hearing, and no representatives were present. Prosecutor Salvatore Ciulla presented documents and the testimony of Sean Pierce as evidence. After discussion, Commissioner Kelly made a motion to take this matter under advisement to confer further in Quasi-Judicial session, and Commissioner Miller seconded the motion. A roll-call vote was conducted, and the motion passed unanimously, 3-0.  A written decision will be issued when ready. 
26. The Commission began the hearing on C25-00137 at approximately 2:40pm. Mr. Luna did not attend the hearing, and no representatives were present.
27. Prosecutor Salvatore Ciulla presented documents and the testimony of Sean Pierce as evidence. After discussion, Commissioner Kelly made a motion to take this matter under advisement to confer further in Quasi-Judicial session, and Commissioner Miller seconded the motion. A roll-call vote was conducted, and the motion passed unanimously, 3-0.  A written decision will be issued when ready. 
28. The Commission, at approximately 2:45 pm, entered Quasi-Judicial session. The Commission rejoined the public session at approximately 3:07 pm. 
29. Regulation Review 523 CMR 5.0-8.0
30. The Commission reviewed the changes proposed by past Commissioners and staff to 523 CMR 5.0 and 523 CMR 6.0 and provided feedback. 
31. Open session for topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chair 48 hours in advance of the meeting. 
32. A motion was made by Commissioner Pierce to adjourn the public meeting and move into Quasi-Judicial session again, and adjourn the meeting from there, which was seconded by Commissioner Kelly. The motion passed unanimously, 3-0.
33. The public meeting adjourned at 3:59 p.m.
34. Investigatory Conference – CLOSED per M.G.L.c112, § 65C 
35. Quasi-Judicial Session – CLOSED per M.G.L.c30A, § 18(d)

1. Roll Call

2. Discuss/Vote Approval of Meeting Minutes from April 08, 2026
3. Executive Director Report
   1. Boxers’ Fund
4. Board Counsel Report
5. Applications
   1. David Salinas, Boxing Referee 
   2. Peter Czymbor, Deputy Commissioner 
   3. Gavin Leal, Boxing, MMA, & Muay Thai Matchmaker
   4. Gene Del Bianco, Boxing Referee
   5. Dr. Edgar Ballenas, Ringside Physician
6. Variance Request
   1. Variance Request from Christopher Traietti for Granite Chin Promotions 5/16/2026 event. Requesting variance from 523CMR 10.05 (1) regarding the number of rounds on a boxing fight card. Granite Chin Promotions is requesting a variance to allow the reduction of rounds from 28 to 26 at the 5/16/2026 event in Quincy, MA.              
7. Disciplinary Hearing for Complaints C25-000135, C25-00137, and C25-00133 (Luna, Smith, and Reyes)
8. Regulation Review 523 CMR 5.0-8.0
9. Open session for topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chair 48 hours in advance of the meeting. 
10. Investigatory Conference – CLOSED per M.G.L.c112, § 65C
11. Quasi-Judicial Session – CLOSED per M.G.L.c30A, § 18(d)