On Tuesday afternoon, the US House of Representatives passed the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act. The new legislation will go on to be voted on in the Senate and when it passes that hurdle will move along to the President for signature.
Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) delivered remarks on the House Floor. In part, he said:
“The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act would bring the sport into the modern era. This bipartisan legislation would create new frameworks to enhance safety standards, expand opportunities for fighters, and restore integrity to the sport—revitalizing one of America’s most iconic sports.
“This bipartisan bill would allow Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs) to operate alongside existing sanctioning bodies. That means more options for fighters and more choice in how they compete.
While Warlberg’s statement present one viewpoint, the bill mainly supports the purview of TKO so that it could enter the boxing space with Zuffa Boxing. The UBO model creates a closed universe similar to the UFC where the sanctioning body can be the promoter.
I wrote my Congressperson about voting to No. Regardless of my effort (at least I tried), the House passed the bill which is seeming moving expeditiously through the legislative process.
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