The future of professional boxing in the United States enters a critical phase this Wednesday, April 22, as key figures from across the industry are set to testify before the Senate in a hearing led by Senator Ted Cruz, in his role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to examine proposed reforms to the sport’s legal framework.
Among the most prominent names scheduled to appear are promoter Oscar De La Hoya and TKO Group executive Nick Khan, both of whom will serve as key witnesses in a session focused on the impact of the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act (H.R. 4624) legislation that has already passed unanimously in the House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate.
Also expected to provide testimony are professional boxer Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, and Timothy Shipman, President of the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports and Executive Director of the Florida Athletic Commission.
Upon announcing the hearing, Sen. Cruz stated:
“Boxing is a core part of American culture. Identifying avenues for its long-term success is critical for fighters and fans. I look forward to examining how the current structure has shaped the sport, and if Congress should step back into the ring to preserve this cherished American tradition.”
The hearing will center on a potential transformation of the current system governed by the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, which since 2000 has aimed to protect fighters from exploitative practices by separating promoters from managers and requiring financial transparency.
At the heart of the proposed legislation is the creation of Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs)entities that would be allowed to promote events, establish rankings, and crown champions under a single structure.
This model represents a significant departure from boxing’s traditional fragmented system currently dominated by sanctioning bodies such as the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO and moves closer to centralized frameworks like that of the UFC.
It is no coincidence that TKO Group, the parent company of UFC and WWE, strongly supports the initiative. Under a UBO structure, ventures like Zuffa Boxing would be able to operate with full control over fighters, rankings, and titles mirroring the model that has helped UFC grow into a global powerhouse.
The bill also introduces new minimum standards for fighters, including:
- Guaranteed pay per round (ranging from $150 to $200)
- A minimum of $25,000 in medical coverage for fight-related injuries
- Enhanced nationwide medical regulations
However, these proposed benefits come alongside significant opposition within the boxing community. Promoters and longtime industry figures argue that the UBO model could weaken the core protections of the Ali Act by concentrating too much power in a single entity.
Wednesday’s hearing is far from symbolic. It represents a pivotal moment for a sport that, unlike other major professional leagues, remains directly regulated by Congress.
The path forward is clear: if the Senate approves the measure, the reform would be just one step away from becoming law with the signature of President Donald Trump a move widely viewed within the industry as a formality.
With De La Hoya and Khan representing contrasting visions of the business, boxing now finds itself at a historic crossroads: preserve its traditional structure or embrace a centralized model that could fundamentally reshape its future.
