The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act could see a jaw-dropping change to the sport of boxing – which could affect several top stars within the sport
Almost two dozen world class boxers are set to be affected after the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act took one step closer to being rubber-stamped.
The aim of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000 was to “protect the rights and welfare of professional boxers on an interstate basis by preventing certain exploitive, oppressive, and unethical business practices.”
The new law, which has been backed by TKO and spearheaded by UFC supremo Dana White, does not change the existing Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform. Instead, it is set to introduce new rules that essentially allow for UFC-style promotion under the new name of Unified Boxing Organisations (UBO). This includes a promotion being allowed to sign fighters to exclusive contracts, a new rankings system, and titles.
FOLLOW OUR FIGHTING FB PAGE! Latest boxing and MMA news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
READ MORE: Jake Paul left with egg on his face as MMA career is over before it began
Alongside the creation of the UBOs, the the sport’s current sanctioning bodies will have to change their practices. The World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organisation, International Boxing Federation and the International Boxing Organisation will only be able to have one champion per weight class.
Over the years, boxing fans have lambasted the idea of constantly throwing world titles on the line, such as bouts for an interim gold strap. An interim belt would only be awarded “in the case of an injury or illness to a reigning titleholder, refusal or inability by the reigning titleholder to defend [their] title, or for reasons beyond the control of the boxer, including inability to travel.”
READ MORE: Dana White hits back at ‘bully’ accusation ahead of boxing debutREAD MORE: Tyson Fury’s brother admits to doubts about fighter’s comeback
It seems inevitable that the current landscape may shift, and with the proposed plan of ‘one champion, per weight division,’ many are set to be affected. As it stands, the current list of interim title holders per division is as follows:
- Heavyweight: Murat Gassiev (WBA Regular), Agit Kabayel (WBC Interim) – Oleksandr Usyk holds the Super/Primary belts
- Bridgerweight: Georgiy Yunovidov (WBA Interim) – Muslim Gadzhimagomedov is the full champion
- Cruiserweight: Michal Cieslak (WBC Interim) – Noel Mikaelian is the WBC champion.
- Light Heavyweight: David Benavidez (WBA Regular), Albert Ramirez (WBA Interim), Callum Smith (WBO Interim) – Dmitry Bivol holds the Super/Primary belts.
- Super Middleweight: Christian M’Billi (WBC Interim) – Title is vacant or held by a single primary.
- Middleweight: Jesus Ramos (WBC Interim) – Carlos Adames is the WBC champion.
- Super Welterweight: Jaron Ennis (WBA Interim), Vergil Ortiz Jr (WBC Interim) – Primary belts held by Sebastian Fundora/Abass Baraou.
- Super Lightweight: Alessandro Riguccini (WBA Interim), Isaac Cruz (WBC Interim) – Primary belts held by Russell/Smith.
- Lightweight: Jadier Herrera (WBC Interim) – Shakur Stevenson is the WBC champion.
- Featherweight: Mirco Cuello (WBA Interim), Bruce Carrington (WBC Interim) – Primary belts held by Ball/Fulton.
- Super Bantamweight: Murodjon Akhmadaliev (WBA Interim) – Naoya Inoue is Undisputed.
- Bantamweight: Nonito Donaire (WBA Interim) – Antonio Vargas/Seiya Tsutsumi hold primary.
- Super Flyweight: David Jimenez (WBA Interim) – Jesse Rodriguez is the primary champ.
- Flyweight: Jonathan González (WBA Interim), Galal Yafai (WBC Interim) – Ricardo Sandoval holds primary.
- Minimumweight: Ryusei Matsumoto (WBA Regular), Oscar Collazo is the WBA Super champion.
Wednesday’s public session introduced several new amendments which were voted on and approved by the committee. Chairman Tim Walberg, a Republican from the state of Michigan, unveiled the following changes:
- Increasing the proposed minimum payment-per-round from $150 to $200
- Expanding the proposed minimum medical coverage from $25,000 to $50,000
- Updating the proposed timelines and frequency requirements for mandatory medical testing, including eye exams, bloodwork, brain health testing, and related evaluations.
While Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, proposed, and won, the following changes:
- Mandating boxer contracts be no longer than six years
- Updating the proposed free agency provisions to allow boxers, beginning 30 days prior to the expiration of their contracts, to initiate contact with other UBOs or promoters
- Establishing that, in the absence of a bout within any six-month period, a boxer is entitled to compensation equal to ten times the minimum per-round compensation of $200.
Currently, across 18 weight classes, the WBC has 24 world and interim champions – excluding regional belts, while the WBA, at times, has awarded more than 40 belts in 17 weight classes. The binning of the belts may be a welcomed sight, but with the proposed minimum payment-per-round, the amendment could see the UFC-style of pay cross into boxing and will no doubt cause havoc across the sport of boxing. But even with the slight increase brought forward, it certainly does not look promising.
