What’s the new bi-partisan bill on professional boxing introduced in Congress on the lines of UFC?

A new bi-partisan bill introduced in Congress proposes implementing UFC-style regulation for professional boxing in the United States, reported Yahoo. The legislation aims to establish standardised rules, medical protocols, and oversight mechanisms across all boxing promotions, mirroring the centralised structure used by the UFC.

The newly introduced bill, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, aims to amend the Professional Boxing Safety Act. Brought forward by Georgia Republican Brian Jack and Kansas Democrat Sharice Davids - a former MMA fighter - the bi-partisan legislation would allow for the establishment of alternative regulatory bodies known as Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs).

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HOW WILL UBOs WORK?

According to the Yahoo report, these UBOs would serve to create a more centralized and consistent oversight system for professional boxing, similar to the structure seen in the UFC. The bill is designed to modernise boxing governance, enhance fighter safety, and restore credibility to a sport often criticised for its fragmented regulation.

Currently, professional boxing operates under a four-belt system, where fighters climb the ranks within one of the sport’s four major sanctioning bodies - WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF - to earn a shot at a world title. The proposed UBOs would not replace this existing structure but would instead establish a parallel system, giving fighters the option to compete outside the traditional model.

Under the bill, UBOs could manage their own rankings, award titles, and organise events, allowing promoters to oversee both the competition and the titles involved. This represents a significant shift from boxing’s long-standing regulatory framework.

WHO WILL BE THE BIGGEST BENEFICIARY?

The primary beneficiary of these proposed changes is TKO Boxing, founded by UFC CEO Dana White alongside Saudi Arabian boxing financier Turki Alalshikh and WWE President Nick Khan, which would be permitted to establish its own UBO and operate a UFC-style league model under the new system if the bill is passed.

Boxing has long faced criticism for its overcrowded title landscape, with too many belts causing confusion among fans about who the true champions are and how division rankings are determined. Additionally, existing sanctioning bodies face conflicts of interest, as they collect percentage fees from championship bouts - giving them financial incentive to favor popular fighters and proliferate unnecessary titles like 'regular', 'gold' or 'franchise' belts.

In contrast, UBOs would be prohibited from charging fighters any fees for ranking placement or participation in title fights, aiming to eliminate pay-to-play dynamics and bring greater transparency and fairness to the sport.

WILL THE NEW BILL GET PRESIDENT TRUMP'S APPROVAL?

If the bill passes through Congress, it would head to President Donald Trump’s desk for final approval - a step unlikely to face resistance, given Trump’s well-known friendship with UFC CEO White. Their long-standing relationship, combined with Trump’s public support for combat sports, suggests the bill would receive a favorable reception at the White House.