A major change to the Muhammad Ali Act is being introduced through a new bi-partisan bill in Congress that could clear the way for UFC style promotion in the sport of boxing.
The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, which was endorsed by the Association of Boxing Commissions, was presented on Wednesday by U.S. representatives Brian Jack (R-GA-03) and Sharice Davids (D-KS-03). Davids is a former MMA fighter who was elected to represent the state of Kansas in Congress back in 2019.
Under the proposed
legislation, the update to the existing Muhammad Ali Act would allow for the creation of United Boxing Organizations (UBO), which would serve as an alternative to the current sanctioning bodies like the WBA, WBC and IBF.
The proposed bill would allow UBO’s to effectively operate just like the UFC does in the sport of MMA. The language below spells out how UBO’s would work differently from the traditional boxing model.
“Unified Boxing Organization … means an association, a league, or a centralized industry organization in the private sector that organizes a professional boxing match in a system in which a boxer under contract with such association, league or centralized industry organization competes against another such boxer pursuant to unified rules and without reliance on a sanctioning organization operating independently of such association, league or centralized industry organization, implements a system for title belts and ranking for boxers under contract with such association, league or centralized industry organization.”
A UBO could promote events, maintain rankings and hand out UBO specific title belts just like the UFC does in MMA.
“As a former MMA fighter, I know firsthand the physical and financial risks that come with stepping into the ring,” Congresswoman Davids said in a statement. “This bipartisan bill is about giving professional boxers the protections, opportunities, and freedom of choice they deserve. I’m proud to work across the aisle to help strengthen the future of American boxing and ensure athletes are treated fairly and safely.”
In addition to the creation of UBO’s, the proposed amendment would also establish a minimum per round payment due to boxers at $150. While that might not sound like much, many states don’t have a minimum set up so promoters are allowed to pay whatever they want, which typically affects boxers early in their careers.
Part of the bill also establishes higher insurance coverage for fighters.
But the main crux of the bill comes down to creating the UBO’s, which is touted as a way to add new “health and safety protections” as well as “comprehensive anti-doping testing programs” and “strict anti-betting policies.” Under the bill, UBO’s “would not charge boxers any fees for placement in the rankings or the right to participate in championship matches.”
“The Association of Boxing Commissions Board of Directors is in unanimous support of the new Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act,” Michael Mazzulli, president of the Association of Boxing Commissions, said in a release. “This new legislation provides much-needed updates to the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 by enhancing the medical standards that protect boxers, establishing a national minimum payment per round, and defining national minimum health insurance requirements.
“This bill will mitigate the exploitation of the debut fighter and of all professional fighters that participate in the sweet science of pugilism.”
Making changes to the existing Muhammad Ali Act has long been in the works after TKO Group Holdings — parent company to the UFC — announced plans to get involved in the sport of boxing. TKO Boxing was just approved for a promoter’s license in Nevada on Wednesday with plans to launch with the upcoming Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight in September.
TKO Boxing is backed financially through Saudi Arabia and the General Entertainment Fund headed up by Turki Alalshikh.
If the bill passes through Congress, it would land on President Donald Trump’s desk for approval.
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