James Weber is in a unique position as a doctor researching neurological damage and commissioner of sporting events where head injuries occur.

Weber of Brighton Township, a University of Michigan Medical Center emergency physician, will chair the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission through June 5, 2012.

The commission regulates professional boxing and mixed martial arts events in the state.

"I've always enjoyed boxing. I was a gym rat, both to stay in shape and to learn the sport of boxing, as well as to become a very good ringside physician," said Weber.

James Weber stands in his office in Brighton Township surrounded by memorabilia gathered over more than a decade of involvement in world class sporting events as an amateur boxer, ring side physician and self described gym rat.

Alan Ward | Livingston Daily Press & Argus

Mixed martial arts combines several forms of contact-fighting sports, including kickboxing, wrestling and boxing.

The 44-year-old Weber is studying pugilistic dementia. His goal on the commission is to promote boxing and mixed martial arts while advancing research on what can be done to prevent injuries, Weber said.

Commissioners only provide credentials and levy punitive action when necessary.

"The sport is going to happen with or without me, or with or without any type of legislative bylaws to oversee it," Weber said.

The ringside physician for USA Boxing's amateur boxers, studied martial arts in his youth and later boxed in the amateur ranks. He had about five fights before giving up the sport.

Weber also is involved in efforts to support ex-fighters who suffer long-term health problems after retirement and, in many cases, go broke.

"Once I got up-close and personal and became good friends with a lot of the fighters, it just bothered me that we would see so many of our champions destitute and broke or really not doing well in their post-fight career," he said.

"I just thought that it was wrong. It was an act of disrespect when you consider these were world-class athletes."