Yellowknife (Mar 17/06) - A boxing commission is just one vote away from adoption, even though city administration isn't sure they can complete the work before an internationally-touted fight comes to Yellowknife.

A bylaw to establish a commission narrowly passed second reading by a vote of 3-2 among those city councillors present, Monday night.

Yellowknife boxer Lincoln Prescott will fight in one of the undercard events at an international boxing match scheduled to be held in Yellowknife, May 20. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

It's being rushed through so that Hay River's Jelena Mrdjenovich - the womens super featherweight world champion - can legally defend her title in Yellowknife, May 20.

An athletics commission, which includes referees and ringside doctors, is required under the Criminal Code of Canada before a prize fight can proceed. Most of them will have to come from outside the territory.

Administration hopes to have a commission in place by the end of the month.

Some councillors were noticeably sheepish about allowing extra work to go into establishing the commission in the face of mounting pressure on the city's fire department. It has been levelled with a dozen safety orders from the Workers' Compensation Board to be completed over the next five months.

"If we lose one staff member because of over-work, I won't be able to hold my head up," said Coun. Blake Lyons, who said it's not the boxing match that bothers him, but the timing.

Lyons said he often sees staff at work when he drops by City Hall on the weekend and fears they are burning out.

Coun. Dave McCann did not attend Monday's meeting, but forwarded a letter to the mayor, which he read out to council. He stated: "Leave the gladiators to Las Vegas. This city doesn't need it."

City administrator Max Hall admitted he isn't certain that the city will have enough time to put the commission together.

"There's no guarantee we can do it," he said.

"I can't say yes, but I don't want to say no."

Other councillors spoke of the prestige that the international televised event will bring to the city.

Coun. Mark Heyck also said it could have a positive impact on the city's youth.

"It will raise the profile of amateur boxing in the city," he said.

"Amateur boxing can keep youth off the street and get some discipline."

Council will hold a final vote on the bylaw, likely sometime next week.