On Wednesday, Congress introduced bipartisan legislation seeking to amend the Professional Boxing Safety Act, marking the first substantial update to federal boxing laws since the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000. The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, spearheaded by Representatives Brian Jack (R-Ga.) and Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), proposes a new organizational framework inspired by the UFC-style Boxing Organizational Model to address ongoing issues within professional boxing.
This legislation would create an alternative system known as Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs), allowing these bodies to host events, issue rankings, and award championships, functioning alongside the existing sanctioning bodies but using a simpler, tournament-style competitive format similar to the UFC.
Establishing Minimum Salaries and Health Protections for Fighters
The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act also introduces important financial and safety provisions aimed at protecting athletes. It mandates a national minimum pay of $150 per round for professional boxers, a sharp increase considering that six states currently have minimums below this figure and many have none. Additionally, the bill proposes a minimum injury-related health coverage of $25,000, providing a higher safety net than what exists in 43 states.
Beyond minimum pay, fighters within UBOs would gain benefits including health insurance covering injuries sustained in training, comprehensive anti-doping tests, and strict anti-betting regulations. Moreover, fighters would not be burdened with sanctioning fees, a financial relief compared to the existing system.
Endorsements and Support from Key Figures
The proposed bill enjoys backing from the Association of Boxing Commissions and Lonnie Ali, widow of Muhammad Ali, who endorses the legislation as a way to honor her late husband’s legacy. Lonnie Ali emphasized the role boxing played in Muhammad Ali’s life and activism:
“The sport of boxing provided a pathway for Muhammad to become a global sports and cultural icon,”
—Lonnie Ali, Widow of Muhammad Ali
“Boxing elevated his public platform and gave voice to his fight for civil rights. If Muhammad was with us today, he would want to ensure the sport of boxing in America remained strong and viable for generations to come, providing opportunities for other athletes to pursue their goals and dreams, just like he did. Given its enhanced protections for boxers, I believe Muhammad would be proud to have his name associated with this bill.”
—Lonnie Ali, Widow of Muhammad Ali
Representative Brian Jack also explained that while the Ali Act remains intact, the new bill clarifies uncertainties that have hindered investment and innovation in boxing regulation:
“The thrust here is we have a system and if you want to stay in that system, you can,”
—Brian Jack, U.S. Representative
“We are not touching the Ali Act. Instead, we are adding an additional section to U.S. code that allows for the creation of UBOs and we’re touching the PBSA [Professional Boxing Safety Act] by amending it.”
—Brian Jack, U.S. Representative
“I kind of describe it like on a whiteboard you’ve got a big circle with the sanctioning organization model. Then you’ve got a UBO model. That’s another circle. And the only overlap, so to speak, is that amending for minimum fighter pay and specified health coverage. That applies to both models.”
—Brian Jack, U.S. Representative
UBOs Will Operate as a Parallel System Within Boxing
The UBO structure will not replace the current framework of boxing but will function alongside it. Fighters entering professional boxing will be able to choose between competing under the traditional model with multiple sanctioning bodies or the new, more streamlined UBO system. This parallel structure provides more options for fighters and promotes competition within the sport’s governance.
UFC Influence and Upcoming Boxing Ventures
The timing of this legislation coincides with UFC CEO Dana White’s plans to expand into boxing promotions. Recently, White announced a partnership between TKO Group Holdings—the parent company of UFC and WWE—and Saudi Arabian official Turki Alalshikh to form a new boxing promotion. Their first anticipated event is the super middleweight matchup between Saul “Canelo” Álvarez and Terence Crawford, scheduled for September 13.
Dana White outlined the vision for his boxing promotion, explaining the UFC-style Boxing Organizational Model:
“Everybody knows the format—the best fight the best. You work your way up the rankings, and once somebody breaks into the top five [and] there is no question [about] who the best five guys are in each weight class, they fight it out. And once somebody holds that belt, you don’t need three letters in front of the belt. Whoever has that belt is the best in the world in that weight class. It’s a very simple model.”
—Dana White, UFC CEO
A league based on this approach is anticipated to launch in early 2026, signaling a potential shift in boxing’s landscape fueled by UFC-style organization and promotion strategies.
Legislative Progress and Political Strategy
Representatives Jack and Davids, leveraging their bipartisan influence and Davids’ experience as a former MMA fighter, aim to expedite the bill’s progress before the August congressional recess. A hearing may occur in early fall, with the possibility of a vote before the year ends. Both lawmakers plan extensive outreach to educate fellow members of Congress on the benefits of updating boxing regulations and the history behind boxing legislation in the U.S.
Jack stressed the need for collaboration across party lines to advance this cause:
“I’m going to be making a flurry of phone calls,”
—Brian Jack, U.S. Representative
“I’ll leave it to my Democrat counterpart to work her side of the aisle and I’ll work mine. I think the hope is that the boxers and people that are invested in this see it and they get excited about it and say, ‘Hey, this is more opportunities, more choice for us.’ They reach out to their members of Congress and tell them, this is good legislation, let’s move it and let’s do something bipartisan in this Congress and let’s let sports guide the way to what I hope to be a return to bipartisanship.”
—Brian Jack, U.S. Representative
Significance of Legislative Reform for Boxing’s Future
This congressional proposal seeks to modernize boxing with fighter protections aligned to current realities, recognizing the growing need for minimum pay standards and health coverage. By introducing the UFC-style Boxing Organizational Model through UBOs, it offers an alternative path that could help address the sport’s fragmentation and promote fair competition and transparency.
If passed, the reforms could revitalize professional boxing in the U.S., increase fighter welfare, and foster innovation within the sport’s business structure. With influential backing from figures such as Lonnie Ali and the prospect of UFC-style promotion entering boxing, these changes may signal a pivotal moment in the sport’s regulation and governance.