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Muhammad Ali’s grandson begins the fight to defend the Ali Act

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2 months ago

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Nico Ali Walsh IBA 2

Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, is leading a newly formed alliance that opposes changes to federal laws protecting professional boxers.

More than thirty boxing figures have formed the Ali Act Preservation Alliance in response to proposed amendments to the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.

The group says its goal is uncomplicated: defend protections established under Muhammad Ali’s original Boxing Reform Act of 2000, rules intended to prevent promoters from simultaneously controlling fighters’ contracts, rankings and championship opportunities.

Ali Walsh, grandson of the heavyweight legend after whom the law is named, has become the public voice of the movement.

“As Ali, I am completely opposed to changing the Muhammad Ali Act,” wrote Walsh in X. “My grandfather fought for it to protect fighters from being cheated. Remove it and promoters take control and fighters make less.”

The Alliance questions the proposed changes

The Ali Act Preservation Alliance argues that the proposed Revival Act could open the door to a system in which promoters or league-style organizations operate with control over rankings, championships and matchmaking.

As World Boxing News explained after the Ali Act amendments were introduced in Congress, the legislation currently pending in the U.S. Senate would allow up-to-date entities known as United Boxing Associations to operate alongside the conventional sanctioning bodies that have long governed the structure of boxing championships.

Supporters of the bill say the reforms could modernize the sport by strengthening minimum wage standards, improving medical coverage and allowing up-to-date organizational models to compete in the boxing market.

But critics say the same framework could also blur the lines between promoters and management bodies, which Ali’s original bill was intended to separate.

The alliance’s statement warns that if these boundaries disappear, fighters could lose negotiating power while promoters gain control over many aspects of the business.

The debate grows as legislation progresses

WBN followed the progress of work on the Ali Revival Act throughout the legislative process.

Previous reports have examined how this bill was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in over twenty-five years, bringing the most significant change to federal boxing law since 2000 a step closer to reality.

A separate analysis also examined how the legislation could put pressure on sanctioning authorities by offering competitors alternative routes that bypass conventional championship fees.

The debate across sports continues to escalate.

During fight week, Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman in Las Vegas, Premier Boxing Champions belts have emerged around the event, reigniting debate over whether league-style titles could ultimately function in conjunction with boxing’s long-established four-belt system.

The alliance represents the first coordinated intra-box opposition to proposed legislation heading toward a Senate decision.

Concerns about the structure of boxing championships

The newly formed alliance also argues that creating separate championship structures could further complicate the sport’s existing title system.

The group’s statement said the introduction of up-to-date league-controlled belts that cannot be unified with conventional titles could make it impossible to win undisputed championships in the future.

That possibility is at the center of a growing divide between those who see the Rebirth Act as a modernization and those who fear it could further fracture the boxing championship structure.

For now, the bill is being considered in the Senate.

As the debate continues, the formation of the Ali Act Preservation Alliance signals that the opposition in boxing is beginning to organize – led by the grandson of the man whose name defines the law at the center of the dispute.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Boxing

Peter Fury supports British fighter who promises to become ‘the best in the world’: ‘I will take him to the top’

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9 minutes ago

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June 23, 2026

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Peter Fury backs the British fighter who vows to become ‘the best in the world’: “I’ll take him to the top”

Peter Fury is receiving praise for his latest efforts as a coach, but there is one player the 58-year-old admitted he is “really excited about”, promising to take him to the very top of the sport.

Fury’s famous nephew, Tyson Fury, trained him to a unified heavyweight world title, orchestrating an iconic victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015but upon his return, the “Gypsy King” decided to hire a up-to-date cornerback.

Since then, Peter Fury has continued to train his son, Hughie Fury, and guided Savannah Marshall to the undisputed super middleweight world title, but he recently drew praise for his partnership with Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, who pushed Oleksandr Usyk to the limit in his fight for the heavyweight crown last month.

However, while Verhoeven impressed on the massive stage under Fury’s tutelage, the veteran coach is now trying to develop multiple national amateur champion and nephew, James Dean Fury, into a superstar.

I’m talking to Boxing King’s MediaJames Dean Fury certainly anticipated his rise to the top, believing that experience is the only thing currently keeping him from mixing at an elite level after announcing his move to the professional scene.

“Right now, all I want to do is achieve the best version of myself and fulfill my dream of becoming world champion, and whoever it is at that moment will definitely achieve it. I believe in myself, I believe that I am the best in the world and all I need is experience and rounds, and then I will definitely achieve it.”

Meanwhile, in a conversation with About boxingPeter Fury has declared he is “really excited” as he prepares to train another nephew to become a world champion.

“I’m really excited about him because he’s as good as he says he is. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be with me. He’s been with me since I was a baby, he’s close to me, I look at him like he’s my boy, like he’s my son. I have a vested interest in him because he’s my boy, right? He’s my brother’s son and I’ve had him since I was a baby.”

“So for me there’s a great reward waiting for me, to be able to see this adolescent guy fight his way to the top – and he will. He will do it because I can do it and if I have something to do with it, he will definitely do it. Believe me, he is a real talent.”

James Dean Fury has signed a contract with BOXXER and Boxing News understands he could make his professional ring debut Undercard Williamson-Simpson II in Leeds on Saturday, August 8.

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Floyd Mayweather says ‘I’m on my way’ as fight in Greece faces legal threat

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2 hours ago

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June 23, 2026

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Floyd Mayweather alongside a graphic detailing claims connected to proposed boxing events involving Manny Pacquiao and Mike Tyson

Floyd Mayweather insists he is heading to Greece this week despite a growing legal dispute that could cast a shadow over the event.

The undefeated boxing legend sent a direct message to Greek fans on Tuesday amid ongoing preparations for his June 27 event against kickboxing star Mike Zambidis in Athens.

“I want to thank everyone, I want to thank you for all the support. Greece, I’m on my way.

“Let’s have fun, let’s have fun and give the people what they want to see. Greece, I’m on my way.”

The news comes as a growing controversy surrounds several proposed Mayweather-related events involving Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather presses forward

The recently disclosed arbitration request involving plaintiffs Jaspreet Mathur and EMI Capital LLC focuses on contracts related to proposed Mayweather events involving Tyson and Pacquiao.

The dispute names Jona Rechnitz and entities affiliated with Frist Apex Ventures among respondents and fits into an increasingly complicated picture of Mayweather’s exhibition plans.

At the same time, social media related to the case publicly alleged that rights related to Mayweather’s planned return to professional boxing had been sold to separate event producers.

The claims remain allegations, and Mayweather has not publicly addressed the latest filing.

What he did was further promote Greece.

While the arbitration proceedings are ongoing elsewhere, Mayweather is acting as if the June 27 date remains on track.

Collision course

The exhibition in Greece is moving forward and the controversy surrounding Tyson and Pacquiao is gaining momentum.

It’s unclear whether these proceedings will ultimately impact any of the proposed events, but Mayweather shows no signs of changing course.

Just a few weeks ago, attention focused on whether shows featuring Mike Zambidis, Manny Pacquiao and Mike Tyson could co-exist on the same schedule.

The focus now is on whether these plans will survive the increasingly public battle over the broader project.

For now, Athens remains on the calendar, with only days left until the first bell.

Despite the growing controversy surrounding the feud, Mayweather appears determined to keep the event going in Greece.

His message to Greece remains unchanged.

“I’m on my way.”

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Promoter Naoya Inoue points to two main fights that will start in February 2027.

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2 hours ago

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June 23, 2026

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Image: Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani Hits $30M Gate, 500K PPVs Early

Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue’s future plans are starting to take shape after promoter Hideyuki Ohashi revealed that a large fight is already planned for February 2027.

“Right now we’re working on the December pairing. Then next February, if I say there’s a large fight, you’ll probably know what I’m talking about. It’s already in the works. Then we’ll do another one in an amazing place,” Ohashi said to Yahoo Japan.

The comments included mentioning the opponent, but they will probably intensify speculation about the fight with Jesse Rodriguez. The undefeated American recently moved up to bantamweight and won the WBA title with a victory over Antonio Vargas.


Rodriguez’s trainer, Robert Garcia, has indicated that the plan is for Rodriguez to have one more fight before moving up to super bantamweight. Potential bantamweight opponents include WBA champion Seiya Tsutsumi and WBO titleholder Christian Medina, while Rodriguez is still looking for bigger opportunities.

While most of the attention will focus on the February schedule, Ohashi’s reference to another event in an “unusual location” suggests that discussions may already be underway about a second major appearance beyond the expected fight in early 2027.

Inoue defeated Junto Nakatani by unanimous decision in May at the Tokyo Dome, retaining his undisputed championship in a fight that attracted enormous attention across Japan. The victory improved his professional record to 31-0 and further strengthened his position as one of boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighters.

Ohashi’s latest comments represent the clearest indication yet that Inoue’s early 2027 schedule is already in the works, with plans moving beyond a single marquee event. Regardless of whether the February fight ultimately involves Rodriguez or another opponent, the promoter has made it clear that preparations are already underway for the next phase of Inoue’s career.

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Last updated: 23/06/2026 at 1:15

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