The initial hearing on the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act takes place on Thursday with a Congressional Hearing set. Presumably, the hearing, entitled “In Their Corner: Creating More Opportunities for American Boxers” will support the passing of the legislation.
Former boxing champion, Mike Tyson, has written a letter in support of the Act.
The witnesses to testify at the hearing include one of the bills co-sponsors The Honorable Brian Jack, UFC Senior VP and COO Lawrence Epstein, Boxing lawyer Patrick English, California State Athletic Commission Executive Officer Andy Foster and the widow of Muhammad Ali, Lonnie Ali.
Tyson’s letter supports the proposed law which would establish a “per-round minimum” payment for boxers and mandatory health insurance. “This new legislation restores balance–allowing boxers to choose their own path while preserving the integrity of the sport,” writes Tyson.
Payout Perspective:
There are two sides to every story, possibly more. But while Tyson, a personal friend of Dana White, acknowledges some of the positives for the new law, there are negatives. Notably, as warned by former UFC fighters, the legislation creates a similar business structure that caused former fighters to file antitrust lawsuits against the company. The creation of Unified Boxing Organizations would allow organizations (namely Zuffa Boxing) to operate without dealing with sanctioning organizations. With that being said, the organization/promoter would also be the regulator of the event creating a potential conflict. MPO will be reporting on the hearing tomorrow
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