Any person who is present at any prize fight, to aid, abet or assist therein, or give countenance thereto, or who aids or encourages such fight in this state, without being present thereat, shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than three thousand five hundred dollars, or both. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (1) professional boxing or mixed martial arts matches held or conducted under the laws of this state, or (2) amateur boxing or mixed martial arts matches held under the provisions of section 29-143j or under the supervision of any school, college or university having an academic course of study or of the recognized athletic association connected with such school, college or university.

(1949 Rev., S. 8517; February, 1965, P.A. 617, S. 12; 1967, P.A. 787, S. 4; 1972, P.A. 55, S. 13; P.A. 85-293, S. 10; P.A. 13-258, S. 19; 13-259, S. 17.)

History: 1965 act deleted exception allowing professional boxing exhibitions under permit and made specific provision for amateur boxing exhibitions; 1967 act added exception for exhibitions under Sec. 19-327; 1972 act specified that provisions do not apply to boxing exhibitions; P.A. 85-293 deleted reference to power of commissioner of consumer protection to grant permits for wrestling bouts; P.A. 13-258 changed fine from $500 to $3,500 and made a technical change; P.A. 13-259 inserted Subdiv. (1) and (2) designators, replaced “boxing exhibitions” with “professional boxing or mixed martial arts matches”, deleted reference to wrestling bouts, replaced “amateur boxing exhibitions” with “amateur boxing or mixed martial arts matches” and made technical changes.

See chapter 532a re boxing and mixed martial arts.