The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), one of the largest commissions that oversees professional boxing in the United States, has given its formal recommendation for the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, a piece of proposed legislation that aims to significantly change how the sport operates.
A unanimous 6-0 vote from the CSAC confirmed the decision on Wednesday afternoon, following a lengthy hearing which involved a long list of dissenting opinions from former UFC fighters.
The TKO Group Holdings-supported act, sponsored by Georgia Republican representative Brian Jack and Kansas Democrat Sharice Davids, looks to offer a way for boxers and promoters to operate independent of the sport’s top sanctioning bodies.
Under the current Ali Act, sanctioning bodies like the World Boxing Council (WBC) manage ranking systems and championships, not promoters.
These groups can decide who should challenge for a title next via ordering matchups and can also revoke someone’s belt, if needed. Their rulings can often force promotions to collaborate.
This is significantly different from a sport like MMA, where promoters control their own belts and rankings and have full influence over their matchmaking decisions, including whether or not they want to co-promote.
The new proposed legislation would offer boxers a different path: Either remain in the sanctioning body-run system or opt out by joining a Unified Boxing Organization.
A UBO would operate under the aforementioned MMA system, giving a promoter full control of their titles and rankings.
The change would weaken the authority of sanctioning bodies, as a portion of the pro ranks would no longer be subject to their supervision. If a top fighter were signed to a UBO, for example, a sanctioning body wouldn’t be able to order them to face another major name in their weight class, something which is common in the current system.
The bill also has a rule that will force both UBO and non-UBO boxing promoters to pay a minimum of $150 per round and offer up to $25,000 in health coverage for injuries.
Many have been critical of the legislation, arguing that UBO-style promoting could allow one company to “achieve a stranglehold on the sport,” CombatSportLaw.com writer Erik Magraken told POST Wrestling in July.
“Independent rank and title are the key reasons why pro boxers can command such great purses compared to MMA athletes,” Magraken explained.
TKO’s Nick Khan, who made an appearance during the CSAC hearing to voice his support, said in a statement following the ruling that the Revival Act only gives more options to boxers.
“This bill does not eliminate or change any of the existing provisions of the original Ali Act,” he said. “What we are proposing is an alternative system in which fighters will have more choice and opportunities, better pay, greater health and safety protections, and more events in which to compete.”
The Revival Act coincides with TKO’s plan to launch Zuffa Boxing next year. Comments from Dana White, who will be involved in the project, have made it clear that the promotion hopes to operate under the proposed insular UBO model, only working with talent signed onto their brand.
“I live in my own little bubble; I’m going to do my thing,” White told CBS Sports about co-promoting Zuffa Boxing events with others. “I’m not worried about what any of those guys are doing, and to be honest, those guys don’t think big enough.”
Numerous ex-UFC fighters called in to oppose CSAC’s endorsement. Among them were Matt Brown, Nate Quarry, Sara McMann, Kajan Johnson, Todd Duffee, and Pat Barry.
While CSAC’s decision doesn’t directly affect whether the new act will become law, it puts significant authority in boxing behind the potential legislation.
