Public Meeting Notice  Massachusetts State Athletic Commission Meeting - 6.10.26

Microsoft Teams meeting link and dial-in number

Join the meeting now 

Meeting ID: 252 893 102 591 41 

Passcode: oZ9kJ99f 

Dial in by phone 

Dial In Number United States, Boston

Find a local number 

Phone conference ID: 539 087 071# 

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 June 10, 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 was held on June 10, 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 May 13, 2026

• Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from May 13, 2026, which was seconded by Commissioner Kelly. A roll call vote was held, and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.

3. Executive Director Report

• Executive Director Bryan Freitas reported that the Boxers’ Fund current balance as of 6/09/2026 is $159,044.97

4. Board Counsel Report

• Nothing to report

5. Applications

• Evan Saarmann, Amateur Boxing Judge Application
  • Evan Saarmann was not in attendance at the meeting. The application was not reviewed at this meeting. 
• Tim Hanifan, Boxing Matchmaker Application
  • After a brief conversation with the applicant, where the applicant explained his background, Commissioner Navien made a motion to approve the Boxing Matchmaker Application for Tim Hanifan, which was seconded by Commissioner Kelly. A roll-call vote was conducted, and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
• David Feldman, Boxing Promoter Application
  • After a brief conversation with the applicant, Commissioner Navien made a motion to approve the Boxing Promoter Application for David Feldman, which was seconded by Commissioner Kelly. A roll-call vote was conducted, and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0
• Nathan Shook, Boxing Matchmaker Application
  • After a brief conversation with the applicant, Commissioner Navien made a motion to approve the Boxing Matchmaker Application for Nathan Shook, which was seconded by Commissioner Kelly. A roll-call vote was conducted, and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
• Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, August 29, 2026, Fenway Boxing Event
  • This application was tabled for review at a future meeting. 

6. Variance Request 

• Variance Request from Rick Caldwell for Combat FC 6/13/2026 event. Requesting variance from 523CMR 23.02 regarding the use of a ring for Southeast Asian Kickboxing competitions. Combat FC is requesting a variance to allow the Southeast Asian Kickboxing competitions at the 6/13/2026 event to be held in a cage. 

  After a brief discussion with the requestor, 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, 5-0.

• Variance Request from Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship for their proposed event on 8/29/2026. 

  This request was tabled for review at a future meeting. 

7. Request for Change of Decision (Kevin Nagle)

• Mr. Chris Traietti requested a change of decision pursuant to 523 CMR 14.20 for a contest on May 16, 2026. After discussion, Commissioner Kelly made a motion to approve the request for a hearing under 523 CMR 14.20; Commissioner Navien seconded the motion. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.  A hearing will be scheduled and the parties will be notified. 

8. Regulation Review 523 CMR 6.0-8.0

• The Commission reviewed the changes proposed by past Commissioners and staff to 523 CMR 6.0, and 523 CMR 7.0 and provided feedback. 

9. Open session for topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chair 48 hours in advance of the meeting. 

• A motion was made by Commissioner Zakim to adjourn the public meeting and move into closed sessions, and adjourn the meeting from there, which was seconded by Commissioner Pierce. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
• The public meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.

10. Investigatory Conference – CLOSED per M.G.L.c112, § 65C

11. 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. Boxer Fund
4. Board Counsel Report
5. Applications
   1. Evan Saarmann, Amateur Boxing Judge Application
   2. Tim Hanifan, Boxing Matchmaker Application
   3. David Feldman, Boxing Promoter Application
   4. Nathan Shook, Boxing Matchmaker Application
   5. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, August 29, 2026, Fenway Boxing Event
6. Variance Request 
   1. Variance Request from Rick Caldwell for Combat FC 6/13/2026 event. Requesting variance from 523CMR 23.02 regarding the use of a ring for Southeast Asian Kickboxing competitions. Combat FC is requesting a variance to allow the Southeast Asian Kickboxing competitions at the 6/13/2026 event to be held in a cage.  
   2. Variance Request from Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship for their proposed event on 8/29/2026. Requesting variance from 523 CMR 17.02 and 523 CMR12.05 (4) regarding use of official rules, and the use of gloves during events. 
7. Request for Change of Decision (Kevin Nagle)
8. Regulation Review 523 CMR 6.0 – 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)