An amended version of the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act (H.R. 4624) moved a significant step closer to becoming law after the Education and Workforce Committee voted 30–4 to advance the bill to the House of Representatives. The vote followed a hearing in Washington, D.C., where the proposal received strong bipartisan backing, allowing it to proceed as a potential amendment to the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996.
The revised bill gained momentum largely through the efforts of Ilhan Omar, who pushed for added protections for boxers, alongside committee chairman Tim Walberg, who supported and expanded upon those amendments. Together, their work helped shape a version that drew broad support across party lines and addressed concerns raised during earlier discussions.
In its current form, H.R. 4624 would allow for the creation of a Unified Boxing Organization, provided it complies with strict safeguards. This framework would enable Zuffa Boxing to operate in a league-style model similar to the UFC, while existing sanctioning bodies could continue to function under the traditional system.
Key amendments include raising minimum boxer pay to $200 per round, doubling minimum injury insurance coverage to $50,000, and introducing monthly compensation of at least $2,000 during inactive periods to prevent fighters from being sidelined. Contracts would be capped at six years, with fighters allowed to negotiate elsewhere in the final 30 days, and limits would be placed on the use of interim titles to curb their overuse.The proposal also mandates expanded random drug testing for title fights and at least half of all other bouts on a card, aligned with the World Anti-Doping Agency list.
As for the next steps, the amended Mihammad Ali Act must pass through the House and the Senate and receive the President’s approval before becoming law.
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