Boxing
The House of Representatives met to discuss the novel boxing bill
Published
6 months agoon
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
Joe Joyce announces his return to fighting more than a year after Filip Hrgović’s defeat
Published
1 hour agoon
June 8, 2026
Joe Joyce will return to action against the undefeated heavyweight on July 11, marking his first fight under SugarHill head coach Steward.
The 40-year-old has not fought since April 2025, when he made a sturdy showing of himself before losing a unanimous decision to Filip Hrgovic. Joyce was scheduled to face fellow veteran Dillian Whyte and then face former world title challenger Hrgovic in a grueling 10-round fight when Whyte withdrew due to injury.
before, “Juggernaut” was rejected and scored unanimously by Derek Chisorawhich followed his 10th round victory over Kash Ali in 2024.
Hoping to get back into the win column, Joyce is now preparing to face Russian Artem Suslenkov in the Murat Gassiev vs Tony Yoka fight at Moscow’s VTB Arena.
After making contact with renowned trainer Steward, who is best known for his work with Tyson Fury, Joyce said he was looking forward to meeting the 30-year-old away.
“I have spent the last year preparing, training and wanting to get back into the ring. I am excited to go to Russia and fight for the WBA continental heavyweight title on July 11.
“Thank you IBA Pro for this opportunity. My team and I are locked in and Moscow should prepare for a great performance.”
Suslenkov boasts a professional record of 14-0 (9 KO), and most notably defeated Michael Hunter by eight-round unanimous decision in an IBA Pro match in 2024.
In the heavyweight division, the 6-foot-1 inch has also previously passed Christian Hammer and has stopped fights against Agron Smakici and Artur Mann each time.
Meanwhile, Joyce clearly wants to stay in the sport even after many called for him to retire following back-to-back losses to Zhilei Zhang in 2023.
Boxing
Adrien Broner raises fresh concerns during live broadcast
Published
3 hours agoon
June 8, 2026
Adrien Broner has sparked fresh concern after another live broadcast showed the former four-weight world champion struggling physically while continuing to consume alcohol.
Broner is present every day on the 24/7 broadcasts with influential boxer DeenTheGreat, and alcohol is rarely off limits during broadcasts.
However, many viewers believe that drinking itself is no longer the biggest problem.
Recent broadcasts showed Broner swallowing drinks quickly, taking them from other people nearby and appearing to choke or nearly vomit on several occasions as he continued to drink.
Fresh care
Broner has never hidden his love of nightlife, and many people can drink regularly and still be in complete control.
What concerned some viewers was the increasingly perceptible physical effects of alcohol on the welterweight star in real time.
During recent shows, Broner has repeatedly appeared to be unwell after drinking alcohol, and moments where he appears to be on the verge of illness have become challenging for viewers to watch.
As WBN previously reported, Ryan Garcia publicly urged Broner to stop drinking after watching stream clips while Gervonta Davis was undergoing a health check.
The scenes have heightened concern around the boxer who once built his reputation on training camp discipline and maintaining excellent fitness for much of the year.
Another picture
Other shows featured drunken calls by Floyd Mayweather and increasingly erratic moments.
For a fighter once seen as Mayweather’s successor and one of boxing’s brightest stars, the contrast is making headlines.
What started as a live-streaming venture that Broner thought would make him a millionaire again is now generating a very different reaction.
Broner continues to insist that he is rebuilding his life and finances through streaming.
But as more and more clips spread online, more and more people seem less interested in the entertainment value and more focused on the man at the center of the action.
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. Since 2010, he has been interviewing world champions, breaking down international titles exclusively and reporting from the ring. His work is distributed on major platforms including Apple News. Read the full biography.
Boxing
Bill Haney says Devin Haney is still developing at 27 years aged
Published
3 hours agoon
June 8, 2026
Haney has spent much of the last year being associated with some of boxing’s biggest names, including Ryan Garcia, Brian Norman Jr. and, most recently, Shakur Stevenson, amid reports that Zuffa Boxing is targeting big-name fights on its roster.
When asked about the future and the opportunities that will be available to players as up-to-date platforms enter the sport, Haney pointed to the long-term goals he still has for his son.
“At 27, Devin is still going forceful. He’s still heading towards, you know what I mean, boxer from Mount Rushmore. It’s still growing said Bill to MillCity Boxing.
Haney also shared a favorable opinion of Zuffa’s entry into boxing, suggesting that additional platforms could only benefit fighters looking to advance their careers.
“It’s a platform for the athlete to come through and that’s what it is, he really listens to his coach and his coach really looks at everything. I mean, it’s a great opportunity, man,” Bill said.
While critics continue to debate Devin Haney’s place in the sport’s elite, Bill believes his achievements have already earned him a place among boxing’s greatest fighters.
“Well, that would have to be difficult when you were talking to other Hall of Fame players and they were saying Devin was a Hall of Famer and they were saying you’re wrong. You never hear a Hall of Famer with his game,” Bill said.
“I think once they realize that and sit down, they’d like to have a career like Devin had.”
Haney’s comments come as Devin continues to consider his next move in a loaded welterweight division with several high-profile fights potentially available as boxing’s promotional landscape evolves.

Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most vital fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
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