The 'baby shower' that Anton and Marlysa had planned turned out to be even bigger than they had anticipated, not only because several Animalian couples had succeeded in conceiving offspring during the summer and autumn breeding seasons, but also because the great arena where the IAC would take place was officially completed.
Officially called the Claw Coliseum, it was a fusion of a great sport stadium, a convention center minus the hotel rooms, and a museum. The outside was based on the Roman Coliseum, while the inside was more modern. Scattered around the inside were Animalian versions of famous Classical/Renaissance statues, Samson playing the part of Michelangelo's 'David' for example. These statues often caused a lot of giggles among girls, as well as a lot of pictures taken with them.
The museum part of Claw Coliseum was a display on: the evolution of combative sports, such as boxing and wrestling; a display on the Roman Gladiator Games (much to the mixed emotions of the Animalians); and displays from famous fights and boxers, such as Muhammad Ali.
The real wonder of the Claw Coliseum was the center field. It had a floor that could project any field type for any sport. It could also be withdrawn to access the Olympic-sized swimming pool beneath it, which could be frozen for sports that required an icy terrain. The final thing was that any other sport requirement, such as goalposts, etc. could easily be added on or removed from the field.
During his training, Anderson learned about "formal competitive combat" as he called it. Working together with the Animalia council, the UFC, and other sports organizations, he had put together a set of rules that would let males and/or female Animalians tussle with each other without violating the Edicts of Animalia, and provide entertainment:
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1. During formal combat, no teeth, claws, horns or antlers may be used to inflict harm on others.
2. Full protective gear (fully padded gloves (with claw covers for predators), mouth guards, etc.) will be worn at all times.
3. There will be a maximum of 15 rounds, five minutes long each, before the match is stopped and it goes to the judges.
4. If one opponent doesn't knock out the other by the end of the 15th round, the winner will be the one with the most points. Points will be awarded to each opponent based on style, speed, damage, aggression and good sportsmanship, but taken away based on causing severe injuries, poor sportsmanship, and cheating.
5. Either opponent is free to yield to their opponent, declaring them the winner, but shall not be used to gain an advantage over said opponent, because then the match is over.
6. There will be automatic penalties for blows to the chest (for females), below the belt (for males), or to the muzzle, unless it was confirmed to be accidental.
7. Those with horns or antlers are allowed a charge and/or locking of antlers, at the beginning of each round. Other than that, horns or antlers are not to be used.
8. The referee is allowed to break up any match if there is a risk for serious injury or the five minutes in a round is up.
9. If serious injury results, the match is called in favor of the injured party, and the one who inflicted the injury is required to help him recover.
10. If the match is for breeding rights, the winner has claim to the disputed mate for one month unless offspring is intended. Then the disputed mate is permanently removed from the pool of "available" mates.
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The group 'baby shower' took place in Claw Coliseum, but there were a few who couldn't make it or had to leave early. Anton and Marlysa had to leave early because Marlysa began having contractions halfway through the party, while Judy had to miss out because she had to deal with twenty new volunteers for Project Phoenix. Otherwise, it was a great chance to look at new products for newborn Animalians, such as early childhood toys, and bath products for Animalian babies and toddlers.