City may end freeze on combat sports

City council will consider lifting its one-year moratorium on combative sports, possibly ditching it as early as Feb. 28.

“We think that if the all-clear is there, if fighter safety is improved materially ... we can lift the moratorium and be back in business,” Mayor Don Iveson said Wednesday.

The community and public services committee voted Wednesday to send to full council a motion that would allow the city to lift the moratorium after getting a report Feb. 21 on progress implementing safety recommendations by the Edmonton combative sports commission.

The motion also asks council to exempt wrestling events and enable Edmonton-based competitors to train here and compete elsewhere.

Council would vote on those amendments Jan. 23.

The moratorium was imposed last month following a report on boxer Tim Hague, who died two days after being knocked out in a heavyweight boxing match in June against Adam Braidwood. The ban was to run until Dec. 31.

About 20 people, including organizers, wrestlers and boxers, asked councillors Wednesday to lift the moratorium, saying it hurt their careers and livelihood.

“I can’t go a year and sit around,” said Melanie Lubovac of KO Boxing Promotions. “I have a mortgage. I have car payments.”

She said she had to cancel four events for this year after the moratorium took effect.

Professional boxer Brad Switzer said his sport is a young man’s game.

“I’ve worked very hard to get where I am today,” he said. “I only have a few years left. It’s going to be very disappointing to end my career not fighting.”

World Boxing Council/Women’s International Boxing Federation super featherweight champion Jelena Mrdjenovich held up her copper-blue belt, asking committee members to whom she should give it.

She said it was good that combative sports were being reviewed, but did not agree with how it was done.

“To put a complete ban on this is a little ridiculous,” she said.

“I think an object in motion should stay in motion and I think that you should fix things as they go.”

She further added: “I’m embarrassed to be an Edmontonian for the first time in my life. I’m sad, embarrassed and hurt.”

Iveson assured them that he heard them.

“The moratorium could come off within a matter of weeks as long as city council is assured that some progress is being made on priority fighter safety recommendations,” he said.