Yesterday, Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI), in his role as the Education and Workforce Committee Chairman, delivered the following statement, as prepared for delivery, at a markup of three bills, one of which is an amendment to the Muhammad Ali to protect professional boxers. The amendment is being pushed by Zuffa Boxing, who will run its first show this weekend and is hostile to the four existing major sanctioning bodies. Walberg said, "The third bill we’ll consider this morning is H.R. 4624, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, introduced by Representative Brian Jack. This bipartisan bill would create an alternative system in boxing by permitting the formation of Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs) alongside the sport’s existing sanctioning bodies, giving fighters more choice in how they compete. 

 

"For boxers fighting within UBOs, the bill would strengthen their health and safety protections. This bill also extends additional safety and wage protections for all boxers, regardless of whether they fight inside or outside of a UBO. In short, the bill is designed to give boxers more options, better pay, and stronger safety protections, while encouraging the growth and modernization of this historic sport.