MUHAMMAD ALI AMERICAN BOXING REVIVAL ACT OF 2026

Quick facts

Record: House Floor
Section type: Floor speeches
Chamber: House
Date: March 24, 2026
Congress: 119th Congress
Why this source matters: This section came from the House floor portion of the record.

Linked context

People mentioned: Walberg, Tim, Scott, Robert C. "Bobby", Jack, Brian
Bills and resolutions: H.R. 4624 (119th Congress)
Committees: Committee on Education and Workforce, Committee on the Judiciary

Readable version of the official text

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4624) to amend the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 to establish requirements for unified boxing organizations, to further enhance the well-being of professional boxers, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 4624

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of

the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Muhammad Ali American Boxing

Revival Act of 2026”.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this Act are—

(1) to provide increased choice and opportunity to

professional boxers by allowing a professional boxer to

choose to participate in the alternative system offered by a

unified boxing organization; and

(2) to further enhance safety precautions that protect the

well-being of professional boxers.

SEC. 3. UNIFIED BOXING ORGANIZATIONS.

(a) In General.—The Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996

(15 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the

following:

“SEC. 24. UNIFIED BOXING ORGANIZATIONS.

“(a) Alternative System for Compliance With the

Requirements of This Act.—A unified boxing organization (in

this section referred to as a `UBO') shall be deemed to be in

compliance with the requirements of this Act if the UBO meets

the requirements of section 5 and the conditions of this

section with respect to—

“(1) each boxer under contract with the UBO; and

“(2) each professional boxing match organized by the UBO

(in this section referred to as a `covered match').

“(b) Safety and Industry Standards; Medical

Examinations.—

“(1) In general.—A condition of this section is that a

UBO meets the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this

subsection, in addition to the requirements of section 5.

“(2) Special rule relating to knockouts.—In the case of a

boxer who suffers a knockout during a covered match, a UBO

shall require that (in addition to the examinations required

for such boxer pursuant to section 5(a)(1)(B)(iii)) the boxer

undergo the applicable examinations described in section

5(a)(1)(B)(iii) relating to brain health prior to

participating in the boxer's next covered match.

“(3) Supplemental physical examinations for boxers who are

40 years of age or older.—

“(A) In general.—A UBO shall ensure that a boxer who

participates in a covered match at the age of 40 or older

undergoes (in addition to the physical examinations required

pursuant to section 5(a)(1)(B)(iii) and paragraph (2) of this

subsection, as applicable) a supplemental physical

examination conducted by a licensed physician that affirms

the fitness of the boxer to safely participate in a covered

match.

“(B) Elements.—A supplemental physical examination under

subparagraph (A) shall include each of the following:

“(i) A chest X-ray.

“(ii) A comprehensive metabolic panel blood test.

“(iii) A urinalysis to measure the overall health

condition of the boxer.

“(C) Frequency.—The supplemental physical examination to

be conducted under subparagraph (A) shall occur at least

annually, except that the chest X-ray required under

subparagraph (B)(i) shall occur at least once every 6 years.

“(c) Provision of Medical Care During Matches.—

“(1) Ambulances.—A condition of this section is that a

UBO provides (in addition to the ambulance required to be

provided by such UBO pursuant to section 5(a)(2)) for at

least 1 additional ambulance to be continuously present on

site of a covered match.

“(2) Ringside presence.—

“(A) In general.—A condition of this section is that a

UBO provides (in addition to the licensed physician required

to be provided by such UBO pursuant to section 5(a)(3)) for

at least 1 additional licensed physician to be continuously

present at ringside during a covered match.

“(B) Certification requirement.—Beginning on the date

that is 2 years after the date of enactment of the Muhammad

Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026, each physician

required to be provided by a UBO shall have a certification

obtained through a certification program administered by the

Association of Boxing Commissions in partnership with the

Association of Ring-side Physicians (or any successor

organization).

“(d) Support Services for Boxers Under Contract With a

UBO.—A condition of this section is that, during the period

in which a boxer is under contract with a UBO, the UBO shall

ensure such boxer has each of the following:

“(1) Equipment and facilities for training and

rehabilitation.—The boxer has access to equipment and

facilities that are operated by the UBO for training and

rehabilitation.

“(2) Insurance policy.—In addition to the health

insurance provided to the boxer pursuant to section 5(a)(4),

the boxer has in effect an insurance policy that provides

medical coverage for any injury sustained by the boxer during

the period of training for a covered match.

“(3) Medical coordinator.—A medical coordinator is

assigned to the boxer to assist the boxer with satisfying

medical and licensing requirements related to the

participation of the boxer in a covered match.

“(e) Comprehensive Anti-doping Program.—

“(1) Requirement.—

“(A) In general.—A condition of this section is that a

UBO has in effect a comprehensive anti-doping program that

includes the testing and requirements related to such testing

under this subsection.

“(B) List of prohibited substances and penalties.—A UBO

shall, on an annual basis, publish, and make available to the

public, a list that identifies, with respect to the preceding

year—

“(i) each substance tested for under the comprehensive

anti-doping program of the UBO; and

“(ii) each penalty imposed on a boxer under paragraph (6).

“(2) In-competition testing.—

“(A) In general.—The UBO shall ensure that testing is

conducted, in accordance with paragraph (5), for at least

half the boxers participating in each covered match organized

by such UBO for an event.

“(B) Timing.—Testing required under subparagraph (A)

shall—

“(i) occur during the period beginning on the date of a

weigh-in for a covered match and ending on the date of the

match; and

“(ii) determine whether a boxer is positive or negative

for each substance prohibited by—

“(I) the boxing commission of the State in which the match

is held; or

“(II) in the case of a covered match held within a

reservation (as defined by section 21), the tribal

organization (as defined by section 21 and that meets the

requirements of section 21) regulating the match.

“(3) No-notice testing.—In addition to the testing

required under paragraph (2), during the period in which a

boxer is under contract with a UBO, the UBO may conduct

testing, with no advance notice to the boxer and in

accordance with paragraph (5), to determine whether such

boxer is positive or negative for each substance prohibited

by the UBO.

“(4) Substances prohibited by ubo.—The UBO shall prohibit

any substance described in section 7(a)(2)(C)(ii), except

that the UBO may elect to not test a boxer participating in a

covered match for any substance that is not prohibited by the

boxing commission of the State in which the match is being

held or the tribal organization described in paragraph

(2)(B)(ii)(II) that is regulating the match.

“(5) Administration of tests.—An independent third-party

shall conduct the testing under paragraphs (2) and (3), which

shall include—

“(A) carrying out each such test;

“(B) determining the result of each such test; and

“(C) reporting a positive result of such a test to—

“(i) the UBO concerned;

“(ii) the boxing commission of the State in which a

covered match is held or the tribal organization regulating

the match; and

“(iii) the Association of Boxing Commissions.

“(6) Penalties.—

“(A) In general.—A UBO shall implement any penalty

decided—

“(i) with respect to a positive test result related to the

testing conducted under paragraph (2), by—

“(I) the boxing commission of the State in which a covered

match is held or the tribal organization regulating the

match; or

“(II) the Association of Boxing Commissions; and

“(ii) with respect to a positive test result related to

the testing conducted under paragraph (3), by the independent

third-party conducting such testing.

“(B) Assessment for penalties.—In imposing a penalty on a

boxer for whom the independent third-party reports a positive

test result under paragraph (2) or (3), the boxing

commission, the Association of Boxing Commissions, or the

independent third-party described in subparagraph (A) shall

consider—

“(i) the seriousness of the positive test result in

relation to the participation of the boxer in a covered

match; and

“(ii) the degree to which the boxer is at fault for the

positive test result.

“(7) Contract requirement.—A UBO shall include in any

contract entered into between the UBO and a boxer regarding

participation in covered matches such terms and conditions as

may be necessary to require the boxer to submit to testing

under this subsection during the period of the contract.

“(f) Required Contract Provisions.—In addition to the

requirements described in subsection (e)(7), a contract

between a UBO and a boxer shall meet each of the following

requirements:

“(1) During the 30-day period ending on the last day of

such contract, the boxer may not be prohibited from

communicating with another UBO or a promoter.

“(2) Such contract shall—

“(A) specify the minimum payment that such boxer will

receive for participating in a round of a boxing match, which

shall be at least $200 per round; and

“(B)(i) arrange that such boxer fight in a minimum of 1

boxing match every 6 months; or

“(ii) ensure that such boxer is paid an amount that is not

less than 10 times the minimum payment for such boxer for 1

round as specified pursuant to subparagraph (A), except that

this clause shall not apply if an injury prevents the boxer

from fighting and the boxer is collecting insurance for such

injury pursuant to subsection (d)(2), or the boxer refuses or

is otherwise unable to fight for reasons beyond the control

of the UBO, including inability of the boxer to travel or the

boxer's failure to maintain relevant licensure.

“(3) Such contract may not exceed 6 years.

“(g) Boxing Conduct Policy.—

“(1) In general.—A condition of this section is that a

UBO implements and ensures compliance with a comprehensive

boxing conduct policy that prohibits a boxer, or any covered

individual, who is directly involved with or participates in

a covered match from—

“(A) placing a bet or wager, directly or through a third

party, on the match; and

“(B) sharing non-public information with a third party

that is material to the performance of a boxer participating

in the match or the outcome of the match for the purpose of

assisting the third party in placing a bet or wager on the

match.

“(2) Compliance.—A UBO shall implement and ensure

compliance with procedures for monitoring and enforcing

compliance with the boxing conduct policy implemented under

paragraph (1).

“(3) Covered individual defined.—In this subsection, the

term `covered individual' means, with respect to a boxer who

participates in a covered match, any of the following:

“(A) An adult living in the same household as the boxer.

“(B) A coach, manager, or athletic trainer of the boxer.

“(C) A physician or other medical professional who

provides services to the boxer.

“(D) An employee, officer, or director of the UBO

concerned.

“(E) An agent of any such person who is directly involved

with or participates in a covered match.

“(h) Conflicts of Interest.—A condition of this section

is that a UBO implements prohibitions against the officers or

employees of the UBO, or any representative of the UBO,

engaging in any of the following:

“(1) Any direct or indirect financial interest in the

management of a boxer in relation to the participation of the

boxer in a covered match.

“(2) Employment of, or making a payment to, a manager who

represents a boxer who participates in a covered match,

except—

“(A) when the boxer acts as the boxer's own manager; or

“(B) for any consideration paid by the UBO to the manager

under the contract between the manager and the boxer.

“(3) Receiving or requesting from a boxer the payment of a

fee related to—

“(A) the ranking of the boxer; and

“(B) the participation of the boxer in a covered match—

“(i) including any fee related to a boxer participating in

a covered match in which the boxer will be challenging a

champion or defending a championship, including any award;

and

“(ii) excluding any cost related to a boxer reimbursing a

UBO for reasonable expenses incurred by the UBO on behalf of

the boxer in relation to the participation of the boxer in a

covered match, including any medical expense and travel

expense.

“(i) Boxing Commissions.—

“(1) Prohibition.—A condition of this section is that a

covered match may not be held—

“(A) in a State without a boxing commission; or

“(B) within a reservation (as defined by section 21) under

the jurisdiction of a tribal organization (as defined by

section 21) that does not meet the requirements of section

“(2) Judges and referees.—A condition of this section is

that a UBO meets the requirements of section 16.

“(j) Financial Responsibility.—

“(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), a condition of

this section is that a UBO is financially responsible for the

costs of meeting the requirements of section 5 and the

conditions of this section.

“(2) Cost of any deductible.— The cost of any deductible

for any health insurance required to be provided by the UBO

for a boxer shall be the financial responsibility of the

boxer.

“(k) Federal Trade Commission Filing.—

“(1) In general.—A condition of this section is that, on

the date in which a UBO intends to claim status as a UBO for

purposes of this section, the UBO submits to the Federal

Trade Commission and to the Association of Boxing Commissions

information regarding the UBO, including the following:

“(A) The State in which the UBO is incorporated.

“(B) The business address of the UBO.

“(C) The website of the UBO.

“(2) Format; updates.—To meet the condition of this

subsection, the UBO shall—

“(A) provide the information described in paragraph (1)

in—

“(i) writing; and

“(ii) for any document greater than 2 pages in length,

electronic form; and

“(B) promptly notify the Federal Trade Commission of any

material change in the information submitted.

“(3) Federal trade commission to make information

available to public.—The Federal Trade Commission—

“(A) shall make information received under this subsection

available to the public; and

“(B) may assess the UBO a fee to offset the costs the

Commission incurs in processing the information and in making

the information available to the public.

“(4) Internet alternative.—In lieu of submitting the

information described in paragraph (1) to the Federal Trade

Commission, a UBO may provide the information to the public

by maintaining a website on the internet that meets the

following requirements:

“(A) Is readily accessible by the general public using

generally available search engines.

“(B) For full access to the information, does not require

a password or payment of a fee.

“(C) Contains the information described in paragraph (1)

in a format that is easy to search and use.

“(D) Is updated when there is a material change in the

information.

“(l) Relationship With State Law.—Nothing in this section

shall prohibit a State from adopting or enforcing

supplemental laws or regulations not inconsistent with this

section, or criminal, civil, or administrative fines for

violations of such laws or regulations.”.

(b) Enforcement.—Section 18(b) of the Professional Boxing

Safety Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6309(b)) is amended by adding

at the end the following:

“(5) Unified boxing organizations.—Any officer or

employee of a unified boxing organization who willfully and

knowingly violates, or coerces or causes any other person to

violate, section 24 shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned for

not more than 1 year or fined not more than $20,000, or

both.”.

Safety Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6301) is amended—

(1) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:

“(7) Physician.—The term `physician' means a doctor of

medicine, with a degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of

Osteopathic Medicine, who is legally authorized to practice

medicine by the State in which the physician performs such

function or action.”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(16) Unified boxing organization.—The term `unified

boxing organization' or `UBO' means an association, a league,

or a centralized industry organization in the private sector

that—

“(A) 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

“(B) 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.”.

SEC. 4. BOXING INDUSTRY STANDARDS.

(a) Boxer Safety and Industry Standards.—Section 5 of the

Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6304) is

amended—

(1) in the section heading, by inserting “and industry”

after “safety”;

(2) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—

(A) by striking “No person” and inserting the following:

“(a) Health and Safety of Boxers.—No person”; and

(B) by inserting “, at a minimum,” after “that

provides”;

(3) in subsection (a), as so designated—

(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

“(1) Physical examination.—

“(A) In general.—A physical examination of each boxer by

a physician certifying whether or not the boxer is physically

fit to safely compete, copies of which shall be provided to

the boxing commission by such physician.

“(B) Minimal medical requirements.—

“(i) In general.—A physician may certify as required

under subparagraph (A) only if the examinations described in

clause (iii) are conducted, which examinations shall be valid

only for the amount of time prior to a match indicated in

such table.

“(ii) Validity.—No examination shall be valid unless it

is conducted by a physician, in person, and includes a

written opinion that the result of such examination does not

contraindicate that a boxer is able to compete safely.

“(iii) Required examinations.—The examinations described

in this clause are those set forth in the following table:

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

“Required examinations Validity ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Complete physical examination, including blood work 1 year Dilated eye examination 1 year Heart examinations (Electrocardiogram, and for a boxer aged 40 years or older, a stress test) 1 year Antibody tests (Negative Human Immunodeficiency Virus antibody, Hepatitis B antigen, and Hepatitis 6 months C antibody) Brain health examinations (For a boxer aged 40 years or older, a magnetic resonance image (MRI) 1 year scan and a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the brain; for a boxer under age 40, an MRI of the brain or neurologic examination conducted by a neurologist) In the case of a female fighter, a pregnancy test 14 days”; ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

(B) in paragraph (2)—

(i) by striking “Except” and inserting “Ambulance;

equipment.—Except”; and

(ii) by striking “an ambulance or medical personnel” and

inserting “an ambulance and medical personnel”;

“(3) Physician.—A physician continuously present at

ringside who, beginning on the date that is 2 years after the

date of enactment of the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival

Act of 2026, shall have a certification obtained through a

certification program administered by the Association of

Boxing Commissions in partnership with the Association of

Ring-side Physicians, or any successor organization.”; and

(D) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:

“(4) Insurance.—For each boxer, health insurance that—

“(A) provides a minimum of $50,000 in medical coverage for

any injuries sustained in the match and $15,000 in accidental

death coverage for any fatality arising from such match; and

“(B) with respect to any premium, is not the financial

responsibility of the boxer.”;

(4) by adding after subsection (a), as designated by

paragraph (2) of this subsection, the following:

“(b) Minimum Payment to Boxers.—A promoter or unified

boxing organization shall pay a minimum of $200 to each boxer

for each round in a match in which the boxer participates.”;

and

(5) by adding at the end the following:

“(c) Simplification of Titles.—

“(1) Singular titles.—A sanctioning organization or

unified boxing organization shall award only 1 championship

title for each weight class.

“(2) Interim titles.—A sanctioning organization or

unified boxing organization may not award an interim

championship title except in the case of an injury or illness

to a reigning titleholder, refusal or inability by the

reigning title holder to defend his title, or for reasons

beyond the control of the boxer, including inability to

travel.”.

(b) Review.—Section 7 of the Professional Boxing Safety

Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6306) is amended—

(1) subsection (a) is amended by adding at the end the

following:

“(5) Procedures to ensure that—

“(A) drug tests shall be administered—

“(i) for any title bout; and

“(ii) at random for all other bouts, provided that tests

are administered for not less than 50 percent of such other

bouts; and

“(B) such drug tests shall screen, at a minimum, for any

substance listed on the most current edition of `The World

Anti-Doping Code, The Prohibited List International Standard'

of the World Anti-Doping Agency, except that a boxing

commission may elect not to screen for such a substance if

the use of such substance is not prohibited by the State in

which the match is being held or the tribal organization (as

defined in section 21) that is regulating the match.”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(c) Consistent Standards.—It is the sense of Congress

that—

“(1) uneven development of standards and practices by

boxing commissions (including tribal organizations in

compliance with section 21) has enabled matches that would

not have been authorized by boxing commissions with robust

standards and practices, and that boxers have been seriously

injured or killed as a result;

“(2) the Association of Boxing Commissions (in this

subsection referred to as the `ABC'), in partnership with the

Association of Ringside Physicians, is well-positioned to

identify policies and practices most conducive to boxer

safety and wellbeing; and

“(3) the ABC should, accordingly, publish and maintain—

“(A) a model legislative and regulatory code for

professional boxing, derived from—

“(i) State policies that are most protective of boxers'

safety, health, wellbeing, and economic opportunity;

“(ii) rigorous sporting authority guidelines, such as the

USA Boxing protocols for medical suspension; and

“(iii) expert consensus statements from the Association of

Ringside Physicians and other sports medicine organizations;

“(B) best practices recommendations for oversight of

professional boxing and implementation of legal duties by

boxing commissions; and

“(C) an annual report card of boxing commission

conformance with such model codes and best practices.”.

Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6307h) is amended to

read as follows:

“SEC. 16. JUDGES AND REFEREES.

“No person may arrange, promote, organize, produce, or

fight in a professional boxing match unless all referees and

judges participating in the match have been certified and

approved by—

“(1) the boxing commission responsible for regulating the

match in the State where the match is held; or

“(2) the Association of Boxing Commissions.”.

(d) Conflicts of Interest.—Section 17(c)(2)(A) of the

Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C.

6308(c)(2)(A)) is amended by striking “or reasonable

expenses in connection therewith”.

(e) Technical Amendment.—Paragraphs (1) and (3) of section

21(a) of the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15

U.S.C. 6312(a)) are amended by striking “25 U.S.C. 450b”

and inserting “25 U.S.C. 5304”.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPLICATION.

The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the

date of enactment of this Act, and shall apply with respect

to boxing matches that take place on or after the date that

is 30 days after such date of enactment.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) each will control 20 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.

General Leave

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4624.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Michigan?

There was no objection.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to “float like a butterfly” and “sting like a bee” in support of H.R. 4624, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026.

For much of the 20th century, boxing stood at the heart of American

sports and culture. It gave us legends like Christy Martin, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Jack Dempsey, and Muhammad Ali, but the sport today looks very different.

For too long, professional boxing has operated under an outdated

patchwork of regulations that leaves fighters vulnerable to injury, exploitation, and limited opportunity.

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. For boxers fighting within UBOs, the bill would strengthen health and safety protections. The legislation also extends stronger safety protections and increases wages for all professional boxers, whether they compete inside or outside of a UBO.

In short, the bill gives boxers more choice, better pay, and stronger

safety protections, while encouraging the growth and modernization of this historic sport.

Muhammad Ali, who was my constituent at one time, said this: “Don't count the days; make the days count.”

Today, we have the opportunity to make this day count for the

fighters who step into the ring, for the future of this sport, for the integrity of the competition itself, and for the fans like me and others who will experience a benefit from this bill.

For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote “yes” on H.R. 4624, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4624, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.

This bill amends the Federal law governing safety, transparency, and

integrity in professional boxing, the only professional sport that is federally regulated.

The original law regulating boxing was enacted to end corrupt

promoters' abilities to corner the market by locking up top talent and requiring any would-be challengers to surrender their promotional rights or agree to new representation chosen by the promoter. Some particularly powerful promoters allegedly even threatened or bribed sanctioning organizations to manipulate their rankings.

Thanks to current law, those days are over. As a result of that law, boxers at the top of the sport take home approximately 80 percent of the revenue associated with a match.

The bill we are voting on today is the result of bipartisan work that

went into improving it. Specifically, Chairman Walberg, Workforce Protections Subcommittee Ranking Member Omar, Representative Stevens, and I came together, identified key issues, and made meaningful fixes to strengthen the legislation. These changes were significant, and the bill we are considering is much better than the version that was introduced.

For example, we improved health and safety protections for fighters,

particularly when it comes to brain health, which is an important priority, by adding additional neurological testing.

The bill now ensures that qualified ringside physicians are

available, strengthens emergency preparedness by requiring onsite medical personnel, and expands pre-bout medical testing.

We also enhanced boxers' economic security. We increased minimum insurance coverage for injuries, added accidental death coverage, and raised the minimum compensation per round.

We also took steps to protect the integrity of the sport. The bill now incorporates consistent antidoping standards, increases drug testing, and begins to address the problem of too many championship titles diluting competition.

We added protections for fighters under contract by limiting contract

length, ensuring opportunities to compete will be compensated, and giving boxers a fair chance to pursue other opportunities.

These practical, bipartisan improvements are a significant win for

boxers' health and well-being, as well as their economic futures.

As the bill moves forward in the legislative process, the Senate can

and should build on the progress we have made in the House and continue to improve this legislation before it becomes law.

For example, the Senate could ensure enforceability of the Boxing

Act's rights by prohibiting any contract between a boxer and a UBO or boxing service provider, including clauses that bar class action proceedings or mandates to bring disputes to private arbitration.

Mr. Speaker, I support the bill and thank the authors, Representative Sharice Davids of Kansas and Brian Jack of Georgia, for their work on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jack), the author of this legislation.

Mr. JACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4624, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, which I proudly authored and introduced with my colleague from Kansas (Ms. Davids), a former professional mixed martial artist herself and a leader in her Caucus.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, Tim Walberg; the ranking member, Bobby Scott; and the distinguished members of the committee for considering and favorably reporting my legislation with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote.

Today, our House of Representatives has an opportunity to make

history by passing the first Federal boxing legislation in over a quarter century.

Mr. Speaker, professional boxing in America has an incredibly rich and storied history. It is a sport that demands courage, perseverance, and determination from its champions, and its heroes have inspired greatness, ignited dreams, and forged generations of memories and tradition.

Mr. Speaker, 39 years before Jackie Robinson bravely broke barriers in Major League Baseball, Jack Johnson, the Galveston Giant, reigned as the first Black heavyweight champion of the world, from 1908 to 1915. Decades before the New York Knicks were formed, thousands of spectators crammed into Madison Square Garden to see Jack Dempsey fight.

Many of you may recall storied bouts during boxing's golden era, like

Leon Spinks versus Muhammad Ali in 1978, Marvin Hagler versus Thomas Hearns in 1985, and Mike Tyson versus Evander Holyfield in 1997.

Unfortunately, American boxing has since faced a steady decline. It has been 38 years since an American won a heavyweight gold medal at the Olympics, and the majority of boxing's premier fights are now overseas, many time zones away.

In recent years, “HBO World Championship Boxing” and “Showtime Championship Boxing,” long home to the greatest fights, ceased operations.

{time} 1510

Last year, ESPN's contract with a leading boxing promotion ended

without renewal, leaving professional boxing without an American distributor.

At the heart of boxing's downturn is a structural flaw that our

predecessors in Congress identified over 25 years ago but declined to address. We have the opportunity to fix this today and revive this great American sport.

For over a century, individual States enacted legislation to regulate

professional boxing, but the patchwork of regulations without uniform minimum standards led to the exploitation of boxers and rampant corruption.

Since the 1950s, Congress has considered proposed legislation to

address these problems. After multiple attempts in the 1990s, Congress finally acted, passing the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act in 2000.

As a result, boxing is the only professional sport regulated by

Congress.

The Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 established minimum safety

standards for professional boxers. The Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, more commonly known as the Ali Act, attempted to reform unfair and anticompetitive practices in the professional boxing industry. Both were enacted by voice vote with unanimous support from the House and Senate.

Mr. Speaker, today, we have the opportunity to follow in our predecessor's footsteps and pass the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.

My legislation amends the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and

preserves in its entirety the original Ali Act.

First, my bill clarifies ambiguities in current law that have stifled

innovation and investment in the sport. This

legislation allows for the creation of Unified Boxing Organizations,

otherwise known as UBOs, that will provide professional boxers with more opportunities, better pay, and greater protections.

The UBO system will not replace the current structure of professional

boxing. Instead, UBOs will operate as a separate, parallel system that will give boxers the freedom to choose which system works best for them.

The bill's strict antidoping and antigambling protocols will

safeguard the integrity of the sport and restrict UBOs from charging boxers fees for placement in rankings or participation in championship matches.

To improve the safety and well-being of professional boxers, my

legislation establishes a national minimum payment per round of $200 and strengthens existing health and safety protections, including establishing for the very first time a national minimum of $50,000 in health coverage for injuries sustained during a bout.

My legislation also seeks to alleviate confusion fans often face

while following the sport by specifying that sanctioning organizations and UBOs shall only award one championship title for each weight class.

Mr. Speaker, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act strengthens safety for boxers, improves the quality of life for boxers, and establishes a framework for innovation within the sport to flourish.

Passage of my legislation will return boxing events to our country,

and bringing jobs, investment, and economic activity back to American communities.

The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act is endorsed by Lonnie

Ali, the wife of Muhammad Ali; the Association of Boxing Commissions;
and former heavyweight champion of the world Mike Tyson.

Additionally, America's largest arena operators support my

legislation, including Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corporation, MGM Resorts International, and State Farm Arena in my hometown of Atlanta. Representing American workers, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters also supports this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation has accomplished something few other issues before this Congress have done. The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act fostered collaboration between Republicans and Democrats who worked together in good faith to revive one of America's greatest sports, in the name of one of America's greatest athletes.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Omar), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.

I come to this issue both as a legislator and a longtime fan of the

sport. At its best, boxing is a sport of courage, discipline, and dignity. For too long, the people who are risking the most have not always been treated with the fairness and respect they deserve.

Congress passed the original Ali Act for a reason: to stop powerful interests from exploiting boxers and denying them control over their careers.

When this bill first came before us, I had significant concerns. That is why I worked hard to make it better. We negotiated in good faith with the majority, and we did make it better.

This bill now includes stronger baseline protections for boxers,

including higher pay, better healthcare coverage, and stronger ringside medical protections.

It also includes an amendment that I offered with Representative

Stevens to guarantee free agency for boxers, strengthening their economic freedom, and limiting the ability of powerful leagues to control boxers' careers.

I am voting “yes” today because boxers deserve those benefits and protections. Let me be clear: This work is not done. We still need stronger financial transparency, stronger antimonopoly provisions, and stronger safeguards against coercive contracts, including forced arbitration clauses.

I support this bill, not because it is perfect, but because we fought

hard to make sure it wasn't just a gift to industry.

Boxers put their bodies, their long-term health, and their

livelihoods on the line every time they step into the ring. Congress should not ask them to accept more risk with less protection and less economic security.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Senators to keep improving this bill.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Jordan), the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary and a doggone good wrestler in his time as an NCAA champion.

Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and thank him for his work on this bill.

As a kid growing up in the seventies and eighties who was into

sports, I loved watching boxing. Title fights were a big thing. It was comparable to watching the Final Four and the World Series. There were big fights people tuned into, and some of these names have been mentioned: Thomas “Hitman” Hearns I remember from Detroit, “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, and, of course, I loved the Sugar Ray Leonard/Roberto Duran fights that took place, especially when Sugar Ray beat him the second time, the No Mas Fight.

Nothing compared to the heavyweight title fights: Ali/Frazier, Frazier/Foreman, Ali/Foreman, Ali/Norton, all of those guys—amazing fights.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman again for the work on this bill. I particularly thank Representative Jack for the good work he has done, hoping that we can revive boxing, this great sport, in our country, and do it in a way that will expand opportunity for young fighters who want to box and want to be in this game and do it in a way that is also healthy for them, healthy for the sport, healthy for everyone. That is what this legislation does.

Again, I thank the chairman and the committee for the bipartisan work

that was done. In particular, I thank Representative Jack for the good work he has done shepherding this bill through, and I urge a “yes” vote.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney), a senior member of the Committee on Education and Workforce.

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4624, which I also opposed in committee along with three other members who opposed the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, a bill which radically amends the existing Muhammad Ali Act that was passed in 2000. That law established statutory protections for boxers from exploitative and unethical business practices.

The committee received expert testimony from witnesses with deep

experience in the legal landscape in the boxing world and warned us that this bill will strip away many of those hard-fought reforms.

H.R. 4624 creates a new parallel legal structure, the so-called unified boxing organizations, which can engage in promotion, rule setting, match organization, and creation of their own titles and rankings. Under the existing law negotiated and spearheaded by the late John McCain, these functions have been required to remain separate to protect against conflicts of interest and coercive contract terms for boxers.

The UBOs proposed under H.R. 4624 will replicate a model that has been extremely lucrative in other nonboxing, mixed martial arts sports worlds that operate with few legal and economic protections for fighters, leading to a long history of litigation and allegations of coercive and anticompetitive practices.

This includes the use of long-term contracts, including forced

arbitration, blocking fighters from bringing a lawsuit for breach of contract, and class action waivers that waive a fighter's right to be awarded damages in settlement on behalf of a group.

One of the crowning achievements of the original Muhammad Ali law was

the establishment of a boxer's right to a private cause of action to assert their rights, which all Americans enjoy, to seek legal redress for unlawful injuries. H.R. 4624 fails to protect these protections within UBOs.

{time} 1520

Mr. Speaker, there has been a narrative that this is something that has unified the boxing world in terms of support for this bill.

I include in the Record a letter dated just a few weeks ago, February

27, 2026, from USA Boxing, the largest amateur boxing organization in America withdrawing their endorsement that they gave the bill last January.

February 27, 2026.

Re Withdrawal and Clarification of January 18, 2026,

Correspondence.

Hon. Tim Walberg,

Chairman, Committee on Education and the Workforce,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Hon. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott,

Ranking Member, Committee on Education and the Workforce,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Walberg and Ranking Member Scott: On January

18, 2026, correspondence was transmitted to your offices

regarding the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act (H.R.

4624).

Following review, the USA Boxing Board of Directors

determined that the January 18, 2026, correspondence did not

reflect a formally adopted Board position at the time of

submission and was not authorized by a vote of the Board.

Accordingly, the Board issues this clarification and confirms

that the January 18 correspondence does not represent an

official position at USA Boxing.

Accordingly, the Board hereby withdraws that letter.

After discussion, the Board has determined that USA Boxing

will not take a position on H.R. 4624.

We appreciate the Committee's attention to matters

affecting the sport of boxing.

Respectfully,

Tyson Lee,

President of USA Boxing.

Mike McAtee,

Executive Director/CEO of USA Boxing.

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I also include in the Record a letter from Top Rank boxing CEO Robert Arum, who again criticized this bill for the damage it is going to do to boxers' legal rights, and states that a UBO is deemed in compliance with such provisions simply by virtue of being recognized as a UBO.

December 3, 2025.

Re Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.

House Education and the Workforce Committee.

Washington, D.C.

Dear Committee Members: My name is Bob Arum and I am the

chairman and founder of Top Rank, Inc., a leading boxing

promoter operating since 1966. I am writing to you all

regarding the proposed Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival

Act (the “Amendment”).

The Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and the

subsequent Muhammad Ali Act amendment (collectively the “Ali

Act”) instituted a series of regulations intended to protect

fighters from exploitative and unethical business practices.

By way of example, the Ali Act in its current form:

(1) Prohibits promoters from entering into coercive

contracts with fighters (See Ali Act Section 10(a)), which

serves to prevent a fighter from being forced to sign a long-

term contract with a particular promoter as a condition

precedent to securing a fight with an opponent under contract

to that same promoter;

(2) Creates strict disclosure rules that compel promoters

to disclose to fighters the compensation they have contracted

to receive from the fighter's match, which provides fighters

with transparency regarding the revenue generated from their

bouts and serves as a tool that allows fighters to negotiate

fair market value for subsequent bouts (See Ali Act Section

13(b)(1) of the Ali Act); and

(3) Establishes a firewall between promoters and managers,

which helps ensure that managers represent the interests of

their fighters and do not serve as agents of promoters at

their fighters' expense (See Ali Act Section 17(b)).

The Amendment strips away these and other protections for

fighters set forth in the Ali Act for any fighter that signs

with a newly created Unified Boxing Organization (“UBO”).

Specifically, the proposed Section 24(a) of the Amendment

states that a UBO is “deemed to be in compliance with the

requirements of this Act if the UBO meets the conditions of

this section with respect to—(1) each boxer under contract

with the UBO; and (2) each professional boxing match

organized by the UBO.”

As presently drafted, the conditions required for an entity

to qualify as a UBO do not include the protections for

fighters set forth above. A UBO is not prohibited from

entering coercive contracts with fighters, is not required to

provide financial disclosures to fighters, and is not subject

to the rule establishing a firewall between managers and

promoters. It is not subject to any of the protections

created for fighters in the Ali Act. Instead, a UBO is deemed

in compliance with such provisions simply by virtue of being

recognized as a UBO and complying with the requirements for

UBOs. This is incredibly problematic and entirely

unjustifiable. Put simply, there is no reason for Congress to

actively remove these protections for those fighters who

choose to sign with a UBO, and there is no reason for a UBO

to be exempt from complying with these protective measures.

Proponents of the Amendment have hailed that it will create

greater opportunities for fighters outside the current

sanctioning body system, enhance health and safety benefits,

and improve fighter pay. The Amendments can achieve those

ends without exempting UBOs from the protections for fighters

set forth in the Ali Act. Proponents have also stated that

the bill does not change the existing provisions of the

original Ali Act. This is misleading at best. As stated

above, the Amendment exempts UBO's from the existing

provisions of the original Ali Act by deeming the UBO in

compliance with such provisions so long as it adheres to all

UBO requirements. Fighters who benefited from those

protective provisions will no longer do so if they

participate in the UBO system. That is a fundamental change

to the underlying Ali Act and to the many protections granted

to fighters therein.

There is likely a version of this bill that achieves the

stated aims of its proponents without harming fighters who

participate in the alternative UBO system. Indeed, such a

change to the presently drafted Amendment could be easily

accomplished—UBOs should be forced to comply with those

portions of the underlying Ali Act that protect fighters to

be deemed in compliance with the overall Act and to maintain

their standing as a UBO. There is no sound reason to reject

such a proposed change, which serves only to ensure that

previous protections for fighters carry over into the new

alternative system the Amendment seeks to create.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any

further questions or if Top Rank can provide any additional

information.

Sincerely,

Robert Arum,

Chief Executive Officer, Top Rank, Inc.

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, this is incredibly problematic and entirely unjustifiable. Put simply, there is no reason for Congress to actively remove these protections for those fighters who choose to sign with the UBO, and there is no reason for a UBO to be exempt from complying with these protective measures.

Mr. Speaker, lastly, Patrick English, who testified before the committee, rebutted the myth that boxing is dying.

Mr. Speaker, cable is dying, but boxing is signing very lucrative contracts with streaming services.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut.

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, this bill does not have consensus support from those its proponents claim. Again, as has been stated by Ms. Omar, I join with her in calling on the Senate to continue to work on this bill and focus on the achievements of Senator McCain in terms of protecting boxers' rights that are at risk with this legislation. Again, I would ask for Members to oppose this bill when the time comes up for a vote.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Harris), a great member of the Education and Workforce Committee.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.

Mr. Speaker, for decades boxing has declined in the public eye in part because of a fragmented structure that has left many fighters without the security and stability they deserve. This bill gives boxers more control over their careers, allowing them to choose whether to compete within a unified boxing organization or continue under the current system.

The bill updates longstanding requirements to ensure proper medical

oversight, including the presence of doctors and ambulances at every event. It includes my amendment, which better aligns these requirements with established industry practice and State laws in some of the Nation's premier combat sport States, including Nevada.

As a result, the bill now requires two ambulances and two doctors to

be continuously present at professional boxing matches. I urge my colleagues to support this bill brought forward by my friend Representative Brian Jack that I believe will modernize boxing safety standards.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. McGarvey).

Mr. McGARVEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act. The term “GOAT” gets thrown around a lot these days. In fact, my middle school son came home recently asking us to buy him a pair of GOAT sweatpants.

There is a movie that just came out produced by Steph Curry called

“GOAT.”

But in Louisville, Kentucky, we know that there is only one Greatest

of All Time: Muhammad Ali. His three world titles, his gold medals, his footwork, his showmanship and charisma, they made him an icon inside the ring. His work outside the ring, which is arguably more impressive, cemented that legacy.

He was the GOAT.

Ali often said that he was: the onliest boxer in history who people asked questions like a Senator. It is only fitting that Congress named the bill in his honor when they set out to reform the boxing industry. We do so again today as we consider further reforms.

The first Ali acts in 1996 and 2000 secured significant reforms for

boxers—guaranteeing transparency, protecting fighter safety, trying to erect a firewall between promoters and managers—but American boxing remains fractured and favors the interests of sanctioners and promoters over the fighters themselves.

I think that is why a boxing landscape that produced eight

heavyweight gold medalists in the 10 Olympics between 1952 and 1988 has not produced a single one since.

Today's bill is a step in the right direction, and I will vote

“yes.” But like Ranking Member Scott and Representative Omar, I believe there is more work to do on this bill before it gets to the President's desk.

Boxing lifted Cassius Clay from Smoketown and gave Muhammad Ali to

the world. That is a legacy worth fighting for.

I thank my colleagues and my dear friend Lonnie Ali who continues to

fight for boxers and for her late husband's legacy.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Mackenzie), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Mr. MACKENZIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4624, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.

For generations, boxing stood at the center of American sports. It produced legends, inspired communities, and embodied the grit and determination that defined our country. But today, the sport has become fragmented, marked by inconsistent standards; weak oversight; and, too often, inadequate protections for fighters.

As chairman of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, I recently led

a hearing examining these challenges. We heard directly from experts, advocates, and leaders in the sport about the urgent need to strengthen safety, improve transparency, and create real opportunities for fighters.

At the end of the day, boxers are workers, and like every American

worker, they deserve a safe and fair workplace.

This bill takes important steps to get us there. It establishes clearer, more consistent standards across the sport, strengthens medical protections, and ensures fighters have access to fair pay and proper oversight.

Just as importantly, it helps restore integrity and trust in the

sport that has meant so much to so many Americans.

H.R. 4624 is about putting American fighters first, protecting their health, respecting their dignity, and giving them a fair shot at success.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is far better today because of the bipartisan work that went into it.

Together, we have improved safety standards, strengthened financial

protections, and added important safeguards for fighters.

These changes will help ensure that boxers are better protected both

in and out of the ring and that the sport moves forward with greater integrity and accountability.

As all the speakers on this side have mentioned, there is more work

that could be done to strengthen the bill, especially as it pertains to private right of action and binding arbitration. This bill has come a long way and is significantly improved from its introduced version.

I support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I express my appreciation to Ranking Member Scott for his efforts and work on this bill. It is always good to work with him. I greatly appreciate the work of the sponsor of the bill, Mr. Jack, and his cosponsor Representative Davids, as well as Representative Omar for the efforts that they have put into making this bill what it appears to be and stands to be and the impact that it can have as we have noted today.

Like many Americans, I enjoy boxing movies like “Rocky” and “Cinderella Man.” I think the reason those stories resonate with so many is because it reflects what boxing is meant to represent: discipline, opportunity, a fair fight, and doggone toughness in the American way.

I so enjoyed my colleague Mr. Jordan as he went through names that I recollect, sitting with my twin brother and my father watching those historic boxing matches. Now, I am a short distance from the Kronk Gym, a historic gym where Emanuel Steward and others trained fighters to do the American thing: discipline, opportunity, and a fair fight.

This bill is also reflective of the story of the American Dream that

anyone can earn his or her shot through grit and determination.

But in the real world, a fair fight requires rules that protect

competitors as much as they promote competition.

{time} 1530

Today, professional boxing too often falls short of that standard. Too often, fighters are pushed into dangerous matches without proper medical oversight, even in the training that they do. They are left navigating contracts with a lack of transparency and forced to shoulder risk without adequate recourse. That reality undermines athlete safety and public confidence in the sport.

The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act modernizes the framework

of professional boxing to meet the expectations of today's athletes and today's fans. It strengthens protections for fighters, creates more opportunities, and helps restore integrity in the sport.

At a time when interest in boxing is growing again, we have the

chance to restore confidence in a sport that once inspired generations of Americans.

Mr. Speaker, for the fighters of today and tomorrow, for the fans who believe in this sport, and for the enduring principle of fair competition, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4624, and I yield back the balance of my time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4624, as amended.

The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Official source

Download the official section PDF

Readable version of the official text

Linked Context

Official Record