Boxing could be set for a major shake-up.
On Wednesday afternoon, a bipartisan bill was introduced into the US Congress to reform the current sanctioning body structure.
At present, boxing operates under a four-belt system whereby the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO are the only bodies that can establish legitimate world champions and rankings.
But the Muhammad Ali American Revival Act, which was presented by Congress members Brian Jack and Sharice Davids, aims to create Unified Boxing Organisations (UBO) to run in parallel to the alphabet bodies.
Boxing remains the only professional sport in the United States regulated by Congress. The proposed bill would allow for UBOs to name their own champions and establish separate rankings, in a similar vein to how the Mixed Martial Arts promotion, the UFC, operates.
If the bill gets approval from President Donald Trump, which it would need if it passes through Congress, it would mark the first major update to boxing federal law since the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2020, which specifically outlaws ‘alternative bodies’.
These changes have been put forward less than six months after Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh and UFC CEO Dana White formed the TKO Boxing league.
TKO Boxing recently had its promoter’s license approved in Nevada with plans to stage Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford on September 13.
White had teased the idea of running the promotion like the UFC, and that could be on the verge of becoming a reality.
In theory, providing the legislation is passed by September, Canelo and Crawford would be able to square off for the TKO’s version of the super middleweight world title.
“To me, boxing is dying in America,” U.S. representative Jack told ESPN.
“Every metric would affirm it’s in a steady decline.
What the Muhammad Ali American Revival Act would change
- Creation of Unified Boxing Organisations (UBO) to run in parallel to the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO
- UBOs can establish their own rankings and world champions, which is outlawed under current legislation
- UBOs are required to pay boxers a minimum of $150 a round
- UBOs are also required to pay a mandatory minimum of $25,000 in coverage for injuries sustained in fights
“Pay-per-view numbers are down, HBO and Showtime have exited the sport. ESPN’s deal with Top Rank Promotions is expiring in August.
“The ambiguity of current regulations have stifled U.S. investments, and we are proposing a bipartisan solution.”
“As a former MMA fighter, I know firsthand the physical and financial risks that come with stepping into the ring,” U.S. Representative Davids said in a statement.
“This bipartisan bill is about giving professional boxers the protections, opportunities, and freedom of choice they deserve.
“I’m proud to work across the aisle to help strengthen the future of American boxing and ensure athletes are treated fairly and safely.”
As part of the bill, UBOs would be required to pay boxers a minimum of $150 (£110) a round, while also implementing greater health insurance and anti-doping programs.
There will be a mandatory minimum of $25,000 (£18,453) in coverage for injuries sustained during a fight.
At the time of writing, there is no minimum coverage implemented for the aforementioned areas.