Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act Progress
The contentious Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, also known as H.R.4634, has made significant progress towards becoming law following a decisive 30-4 vote in the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee on Wednesday. This bill, introduced in July by Congress members Brian Jack (R-GA) and Sharice Davids (D-KS), aims to establish Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs) that would function similarly to the UFC, thus centralizing operations in boxing. These UBOs could take charge of their ranking systems, award titles, and oversee events, effectively merging promoter and sanctioning body roles.
Support and Concerns
Endorsed last October by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC)—after an initial public comment period that raised numerous concerns from fighters about the potential for monopolistic control—this legislation is backed by TKO, the newly formed promotional group led by UFC CEO Dana White, WWE president Nick Khan, and Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh.
With Zuffa’s inaugural boxing event approaching on January 23, part of a broader partnership with Paramount, the bill’s progression is coming at a critical time. During the markup, various amendments aimed at enhancing protections for fighters were adopted to address criticisms surrounding coercive contracting practices associated with TKO.
Committee Chairman Rep. Tim Walberg, a Republican, stated that the initiative seeks to improve options, compensation, and safety for boxers while fostering growth within the historic sport.
Some Democrats, including Rep. Bobby Scott from Virginia, expressed strong opposition, warning that allowing UBOs to be exempt from certain contracts could lead to TKO exerting undue influence over professional boxing. Scott highlighted that boxing’s current decentralized framework is essential for safeguarding fighters’ financial well-being.
Proposed Amendments and Safety Measures
To alleviate these concerns, an amendment introduced by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) would create a free-agency window for boxers for the last month of their contracts, facilitating communication with other UBOs or promoters. This amendment limits contracts to six years and mandates UBOs to arrange at least one fight every six months or provide a minimum monthly salary of $2,000, consequently preventing the sidelining of fighters. Additionally, the proposed minimum payout per round for boxers is set to rise from $150 to $200.
Safety measures have also been strengthened through the adoption of an amendment mandating that professional boxing events have two ambulances and two doctors present on-site. Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) noted that these changes would align the bill with existing state regulations and industry practices. Furthermore, minimum insurance coverage for fighters will escalate from $25,000 to $50,000, with an added $15,000 for accidental death due to boxing accidents. The bill will also incorporate rigorous anti-doping protocols, necessitating that at least half of participating boxers in events undergo random drug testing.
Concerns persist that such stringent safety regulations could complicate the organization of non-televised club events, potentially stifling participation in this sector. Lonnie Ali, the widow of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, was in attendance at the markup, reinforcing her advocacy for the bill.
Next Steps
Having successfully advanced through committee, the legislation will next go before the full House of Representatives, where it must secure a majority vote to proceed further. Ongoing recommendations for further refinements to the bill are anticipated as debates continue before the vote.
