Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act

Summary#

This act adds a new option for professional boxers and sets rules for "unified boxing organizations" (UBOs). It amends the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996. Key requirements for UBOs include medical testing (physical, eye, HIV, hepatitis B and C), brain imaging (MRI and MRA) before a first covered match and every three years after, pregnancy tests for female boxers within 14 days of a match, and extra testing after a knockout paid by the UBO. Boxers age 40 or older must get extra annual exams (chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, urinalysis, metabolic panel).

The act requires more ringside medical coverage: at least two additional ambulances reserved for boxers and at least three licensed physicians at ringside in addition to existing requirements. UBOs must provide training and rehabilitation facilities, a training injury insurance policy, and a medical coordinator for contracted boxers. UBOs must run an anti-doping program with in-competition and no-notice testing done by an independent third party and publish a list of prohibited substances and penalties. The act also requires a conduct policy banning betting and sharing non-public match information, rules to limit conflicts of interest, and that matches not be held in states without a boxing commission or on reservations without a qualifying tribal regulator. UBOs must file basic information with the Federal Trade Commission or make it public on a website. The bill adds criminal penalties for UBO officers or employees who willfully violate these UBO requirements.

The act also changes industry standards: promoters or UBOs must pay a minimum of $150 per round to each boxer, and health insurance provided must cover at least $25,000 for match injuries with premiums not paid by the boxer. It updates referee and judge certification requirements. Some amendments take effect 30 days after enactment.

What it means for you#

• If you are a professional boxer: You may be able to join a UBO system. You would face regular medical checks, brain imaging, pregnancy testing (if female), and possible no-notice drug tests. You would have access to UBO-provided training facilities, a medical coordinator, and insurance for training injuries; you would still be responsible for any health-insurance deductibles. You would get at least $150 per round from a promoter or UBO.
• If you are a promoter or UBO: You must meet new medical, safety, anti-doping, and transparency requirements and cover many associated costs (ambulances, ringside physicians, certain tests, anti-doping). You must publish prohibited-substance lists and include testing terms in boxer contracts.
• If you are a state boxing commission or official: The act requires that matches be held only where an appropriate boxing commission or qualifying tribal regulator exists and that judges and referees be certified by the state commission or the Association of Boxing Commissions.

Expenses#

• The bill assigns many costs to unified boxing organizations (UBOs): extra ambulances present for matches, replacement ambulances if one leaves, the cost of more frequent MRI/MRA tests after a knockout, ringside physicians, training and rehabilitation facilities, the cost of a training injury insurance policy (premiums), and costs of anti-doping programs.
• Testing under the anti-doping program may not be the boxer's financial responsibility.
• Boxers remain responsible for any health-insurance deductibles.
• The Federal Trade Commission may assess a fee to a UBO to offset processing and public posting costs.
• No publicly available information about federal spending or other government costs is provided in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

The bill states its purposes: to give professional boxers more choice and opportunity by letting them opt into an alternative system run by unified boxing organizations, and to further enhance safety precautions to protect boxers’ well-being.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.