RALEIGH, N.C. — Funding for the North Carolina Boxing Commission is included in the recently signed state budget, a relief for boxing promoters like Don Rodger of Apex Martial Arts Center.

In order for a boxing event to take place, a promoter must first have a permit from the commission. Rodger's last permitted event was in February of 2020.

Since then, permits have halted because there was not funding for the commission's staff.

Many promoters have moved to other states to hold their events, where the laws are less stringent.

“It’s really hurting the sport big time because everybody in this state has to spend money to travel to another state to compete when, right in their backyard, they should be able to do it here,” Rodger said.

He is hoping to hold his first event of 2022 in February. 

Funding for the commission is slated to kick in January 1. The commission chair says once staff is hired, permits will be given out again.