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The House of Representatives met to discuss the novel boxing bill

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3 months ago

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Eric Bottjer

A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in July that would create an amended version of the existing boxing reform laws of 1996 and 2000 was discussed on Capitol Hill today. It was the first public hearing on the issue since it was introduced by sponsor Brian Jack, a Republican from Georgia. Supporters of the bill say the novel legislation will create novel opportunities for militants and lead to the long-term rehabilitation of an enterprise that went bankrupt after 130 years of existence. Critics say the bill would allow a UFC-style monopoly similar to the current professional mixed martial arts business model.

Committee Chairman Ryan Mackenzie (Allentown, Pa.) immediately set the tone in his opening remarks. He said this bill would make boxing “great again” (the phrase “great again” was repeated, well, many times, in case you were wondering about Mackenzie’s political leanings). Ranking Member Omar Ilhan (D-Minneapolis, Minn.) said she saw value in the bill, but added: “There are parts of this bill that raise the question of who will actually control the future of boxing. Are we prioritizing Goliath to the detriment of David? This bill as designed gives more power to gigantic corporations than boxers.”

The genesis of the bill – called the Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act – is the UFC’s desire to enter (and critics say take over) boxing, supported in part by Saudi Arabia and its “public investment fund.” Those testifying in support of the bill rejected the monopoly narrative. Rep. Jack stressed that the bill, if passed, would not remove the 1996 and 2000 reform acts and that rather than create a monopoly, it would simply give boxers another option to advance their careers. According to Jack, the law will create Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs), which will create a “parallel system to (existing) sanctioning bodies. The bill will fix “widespread exploitation and corruption in boxing,” Jack said.

Testifying in favor of the bill (H.R. 4624) was Andy Foster, executive director of the California State Athletic Commission, who predicted the creation of many “UBOs” in the coming years. Foster indicated that UBOs would not charge boxers or promoters “crushing punitive fees” and added that the bill guaranteed club-level boxers a minimum pay structure ($150 per round) as well as zero-deductible medical insurance (currently paid by promoters or boxers). Sometimes boxers leave a fight in a worse financial situation than when they arrived, Foster said. He encouraged the committee to add an amendment to the bill that would adjust minimum portfolio amounts in the future to inflation.

Foster was supported at today’s hearing by Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali’s widow, and UFC Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Epstein, who stated: “There is no denying that professional boxing has been in steady decline in the United States. The Muhammad Ali Boxing Renaissance Act has the potential to reverse this decline by creating an creative model that will advance the industry.”

Epstein and the bill’s supporters are sensitive to criticism that the potential law would result in a monopoly, and have emphasized that they believe it simply creates an additional avenue of exploration for boxers. “UBOs will not replace sanctioning organizations,” Epstein said.

UBOs would constitute a “separate, parallel system” to the four existing main sanctions groups.

The lone wolf at the hearing was well-known attorney Pat English, who worked on the two previous boxing reform bills that are now the law. “There are things (in the first two bills) that need to be improved and modified,” English said, “but this bill is not the right solution.” The “real purpose” of the novel law, according to English, is to give monopoly power to a specific UBO – Zuffa Boxing, backed by the UFC. Most boxers are against the idea, English said. While supporters of the bill point to drug testing requirements, English added that the bill does not require reporting of test results to athletic commissions or Boxrec, the current official record-keeping service employed by the Association of Boxing Commissions.

Supporters of this act include ABC, as well as the California commission, promoter Tom Brown, Mike Tyson, various arenas in the US and, oh, the Teamsters.

The bill now returns to the committee that hosted today’s hearing (the House Committee on Education and Labor). Any changes or amendments will be discussed (for example, Foster’s proposal to raise the minimum amount of the boxer budget in the future) before it is sent to the House of Representatives for a vote. According to Arnaud Armstrong, communications specialist in Rep. Mackenzie’s Allentown office, the process will take “weeks.” If it passes, it will be sent to the Senate, which typically takes longer than the chamber to prepare the bill for a vote.

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Boxing

Tank Davis is eyeing a rematch with Isaac Cruz after a tough fight in 2021

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2 hours ago

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March 9, 2026

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Image: Tank Davis Eyes Isaac Cruz Rematch After Tough 2021 Fight

Fighters like Raymond Muratalla, Abdullah Mason, William Zepeda and Floyd Schofield represent the direction many expected from Davis, making the return to Cruz a remarkable step, even if the first fight remains the one fans remember.

The fight is being discussed in the 140-pound weight class. Their first meeting took place at lightweight in December 2021 and ended in a unanimous decision for Davis after twelve rounds.

Cruz’s pressure forced Davis (30-1, 28 KO) in a cautious fight rather than the knockout victories that marked much of his career. Davis injured his left hand early in the fight and relied heavily on movement, defense and counters with his right hand while Cruz continued to press forward and raise the volume of his throws.

The judges scored the fight 115-113, 115-113 and 116-112 for Davis. Cruz’s pressure kept the contest close and led to a physical twelve-round battle that looked different than many of Davis’ other victories.

Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KO) continued to build his record after this fight, and his victories put him near the top of the division. His aggressive style and willingness to constantly push forward made it the first fight that fans still bring up when discussing Davis’ toughest fights.

Davis most recently fought to a twelve-round draw against Lamont Roach in March 2025 and has been inactive since that fight. A second fight with Cruz would mark a return to a fight that continues to attract attention whenever we analyze Davis’ career.

A novel element is the weight class. Discussions about a rematch point to a fight at 140 pounds, rather than the lightweight limit where they first met.

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Boxing

Keyshawn Davis Claims He’s ‘Increasing Weight For Championship Fight’

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4 hours ago

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March 9, 2026

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Keyshawn Davis says he is ‘moving up in weight for championship fight’

Keyshawn Davis has been linked to a move up to welterweight in recent weeks, and it appears “The Businessman” will be making the jump soon, with the “championship fight” date reportedly set at 147 pounds.

Davis was stripped of his WBO lightweight title when he missed weight last June for his scheduled first defense against Edwin De Los Santos. He then moved up to super lightweight and knocked out Jamaine Ortiz in the final round of their fight on the Teofimo Lopez vs. card. Shakur Stevenson.

In the wake of that victory, the Norfolk-born superstar called for a fight against current WBO welterweight world champion Devin Haney, who originally agreed to the fight before negotiations stalled.

As a result, it looked like Davis might stay at 140 pounds, but in… interview for FightHubThe 27-year-old revealed that he has a date for a “championship fight” in preparation for his 147-pound debut.

“I definitely got a response [from the people I called out] and I definitely have a date too. I’m telling you all this now and I’ll definitely be back sooner than you all think. That’s why you saw me playing politics in the gym.

“It’s political, but I’m really staying pointed. Don’t fuck up, I’m staying astute. There’s something coming.”

“I think I’m moving up [to 147lbs]. Yes, [for a championship fight]”

Haney seemed to be close to securing a unification fight with WBA champion Rolando Romero Lewis Crocker (IBF) postponed his match with Liam Paro due to injuryand Ryan Garcia (WBC) is looking elsewhere. It’s unclear where Davis fits.

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Boxing

Haney rejects Romero’s triangle theory after Ryan’s theorem

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6 hours ago

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March 9, 2026

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Image: Devin Haney rejects Rolando Romero’s triangle theory after Ryan Garcia claim

The comment came as Rolly, 30, was discussing Haney and the possibility of the two 147-pound champions meeting in the ring.

Haney responded on social media today after comments that went viral, rejecting Romero’s argument and saying that results involving other fighters do not determine the outcome of a future fight.

“Triangle theories don’t work in boxing,” Haney said on Program X. “Rolly will be strengthened by me.”

Former undisputed lightweight champion Haney then further mocked that logic by listing a string of results involving several fighters.

“Rolly was shaped by Barroso, Barroso was shaped by O’Hara Davies, Davies was shaped by Josh Taylor, Taylor was shaped by Teo, Teo was shaped by Kambosos, it all leads back to ME,” Haney said.

The exchange of words takes place as both fighters continue to discuss a possible unification fight in the welterweight division. Rolly holds the WBA title and Haney holds the WBO belt, creating the potential for a two-belt fight if negotiations are completed.

There have been discussions about rescheduling the fight between both champions for later this year, although neither side has confirmed that a deal has been finalized.

Devin will likely enter the fight as the clear favorite against Rolly (17-2, 13 KO), who moved up to welterweight after competing at a lighter weight earlier in his career.

Romero defeated Ryan Garcia via 12-round unanimous decision on May 2, 2025, which increased attention on potential welterweight fights. The fight took place in Recent York and was one of the biggest victories in Romero’s career.

He hasn’t fought since that victory, analyzing possible high-profile fights.

One issue with Romero’s schedule is his tardy mandatory defense against Shakhram Giyasov. The Uzbek contender has been a top contender for the WBA title for a long time, but a title fight has not been ordered or finalized yet.

It is unclear whether the WBA will allow Romero to directly enter a unification fight with Haney without meeting Giyasov first. Sanctioning bodies sometimes allow champions to postpone mandatory defenses before unification fights, although no decision has been announced.

Negotiations between Haney and Romero are still ongoing.

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