A Senate committee took up the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026 on Wednesday, hearing sharply divided testimony on a proposal that has already cleared the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation heard from both supporters and opponents of the amendment, which would allow for Universal or Unified Boxing Organizations to operate outside of traditional sanctioning bodies. The system outlined in the bill includes minimum pay per rounds for boxers and organizational titles instead of sanctioning body titles.
Nick Khan and Timothy Shipman testified in support of the amendment. Khan argued, "This bill delivers concrete protections that are long overdue," adding, "... It's for safety and fair treatment of the boxers. If that disqualifies you from forming a UBO, the problem is not this bill."
Oscar De La Hoya and Nico Ali Walsh spoke in opposition. De La Hoya warned, "This is a fundamental shift in power, that if changed, would put corporate profits first and fighters second," while Ali Walsh criticized the structure around athletes, stating, "Fighters are labeled independent contractors," and arguing, "... We can protect fighters more effectively than we do today without concentrating control over them. If this bill is passed in its current form, it should not have my grandfather's name on it, as it would betray the principles that his act was created to protect."
Opponents argue the amendment would allow TKO to gain control of the market and suppress fighter pay by avoiding current Ali Act constructs. Senators have until April 29 to submit questions, and witnesses have until May 13 to respond.
