Oscar De La Hoya and Nico Ali Walsh have publicly voiced strong opposition to the revised Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, presenting their arguments before the U.S. Senate as the bill edges closer to becoming law.
The legislation, backed by Zuffa Boxing, has already passed the House of Representatives and is widely expected to move through the Senate before reaching President Donald Trump. Against that backdrop, both De La Hoya and Ali Walsh used their platform to warn of long-term consequences for fighters if the revised act is adopted.
De La Hoya argued that the proposed structure would centralize control under a single promotional system, limiting fighters’ independence. He claimed the model would allow promoters to dictate key revenue streams, including ticket sales, sponsorships, and bonuses, ultimately reducing fighters’ leverage and earning potential. He also questioned why existing protections in boxing - such as medical and insurance standards - were not extended to other combat sports like the UFC.
Ali Walsh, speaking from the perspective of his grandfather’s legacy, emphasized that the original Ali Act was designed to separate promoters, managers, and sanctioning bodies. He warned that the revised version risks removing those safeguards, potentially locking fighters into long-term contracts while allowing a single entity to control rankings, titles, and matchmaking.
Supporters of the new act, including representatives tied to Zuffa and TKO Group Holdings, countered that reform is necessary to address boxing’s declining popularity and fragmented structure. They highlighted proposed benefits such as minimum pay standards, health insurance during training camps, and enhanced medical testing, arguing these changes could modernize the sport and improve fighter safety.
Despite those claims, De La Hoya and Ali Walsh maintained that the revised act undermines the principles of transparency and fairness that defined the original legislation.
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