New York State Legislature Joint Legislative Committee on Professional Boxing Public Hearing Transcript L0264

New York State Legislature Joint Legislative Committee on Professional Boxing Public Hearing Transcript

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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

This series consists of transcripts of a hearing conducted by the Joint Legislative Committee on Professional Boxing on February 4-5, 1963. The committee had proposed a bill that would, in effect, have outlawed professional boxing in New York State. The stated intent of the hearings was to help the committee decide whether or not the bill or a more refined bill would be submitted to the Legislature or whether the abolition of boxing would be recommended.

Creator:

New York (State). Legislature

Title:

Joint Legislative Committee on Professional Boxing public hearing transcript

Quantity:

0.1 cubic feet

1963

Series Number:

L0264

Administrative History

Assembly Resolution 190 adopted on March 30, 1962 provided for three Senators and four Assemblymen to investigate and make a study of the conduct of professional boxing in New York State, including existing laws and rules of regulatory bodies affecting boxing. The scope of the investigation was to include every matter and thing deemed by the committee competent, relevant, and material in the ascertainment of the true situation. A report to the Temporary President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the Assembly was to be presented by December 15, 1962, and to the Legislature by March 31, 1963. The sum of $25,000 was appropriated to the committee to conduct its work.

The Joint Legislative Committee on Professional Boxing was later designated the Joint Legislative Committee on Sports and Physical Fitness, and was reconstituted by the 1963 Legislature and directed to expand its activities to include investigation of all professional and amateur athletics. In addition, the committee was to assist local communities and organizations in promoting more citizen participation in physical fitness programs. Investigations were to be extended to March 31, 1964. A report to the Temporary President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the Assembly was due by December 15, 1963, and to the Legislature by March 31, 1964. A sum of $30,000 was appropriated to the committee for this work.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of transcripts of a hearing conducted by the Joint Legislative Committee on Professional Boxing on February 4-5, 1963, in the Assembly Chambers, Albany. The committee had made a rough draft of a proposed bill that would, in effect, have outlawed professional boxing in the State of New York. The stated intent of the hearings was to help the committee arrive at a decision as to whether or not the bill or a more refined bill would be submitted to the Legislature or whether the abolition of boxing would be recommended. Notable persons testifying include Howard Cosell and Cassius Clay (later Mohammed Ali).