Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act faces Senate roadblock

The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act has stalled in the Senate months after clearing the House, with critics warning the bill could strip away fighter protections despite promises of improved health care and pay standards.

The House passed the legislation by voice vote in March following a 30-4 committee approval, but Senator Ted Cruz said in April he would introduce a modified Senate version that has yet to materialize, ESPN reports. The bill would establish unified boxing organizations as an optional alternative system, with mandated health insurance, annual brain MRIs, and $200-per-round minimums for fighters.

De La Hoya and Ali's grandson testify against House version

Oscar De La Hoya and Nico Ali Walsh told the Senate Commerce Committee in April that the House bill would concentrate power under UBOs and weaken existing protections. "The coercive contracts will be coming back," Ali Walsh said during the hearing, per ESPN. "All the things in the current Ali Act that protects fighters will be taken away and you will see it down the line." He added that his grandfather's name should be removed from the legislation if it passes as written because it would betray the principles Muhammad Ali fought for.

The California State Athletic Commission backed the bill despite opposition from fighters during public hearings, and Mike Tyson supported the reforms in December. USA Boxing withdrew its support last month in favor of a neutral stance. Cruz chairs the Commerce Committee, which heard testimony from Ali Walsh, De La Hoya, Association of Boxing Commissions president Tim Shipman, and TKO board member Nick Khan.

The bill would supplement rather than replace the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000 and the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996. One disputed provision concerns who pays for mandatory medical testing — fighters or the UBOs themselves. De La Hoya argued the organizations should cover those costs. The legislation must pass both chambers and reach President Trump's desk before the current session ends, or the process restarts in January after midterm elections.

Source: espn.com