The grandson of legendary boxer, Marvin Hagler, has a message for fight fans in the wake of Zuffa Boxing’s advocacy for proposed changes to the landscape of American boxing through The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.
There are some things fighters might like, as Hall-of-Fame fighter Tim Bradley pointed out this week, with health insurance and other resources, perhaps referencing the Performance Institute in Las Vegas — a one-of-a-kind facility in combat sports in which UFC or Zuffa fighters alike can receive complimentary rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and meals.
But Bradley also pointed out that the Revival Act would see the creation of UBOs that strip fighter protections back because a UBO, which Zuffa Boxing could morph into, would be a promoter, manager, and rankings committee combined, as opposed to the separation that currently exists in traditional boxing.
Now, James Hagler says similar.
“My name is James Hagler,” he said, in an open letter on Instagram. “I’m the grandson of Marvin Hagler, and I’m a professional boxer.
“I listened to the Senate subcommittee hearing on the Muhammad Ali Revival Act. I heard my grandfather’s name used — but not to protect fighters. To sell nostalgia. What’s actually being pushed is a bill that would strip boxers of their economic protections.”
“I oppose it.”
— Marvin Hagler’s grandson on The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act
He said he opposes it just “like Nico Ali Walsh. Like Oscar de la Hoya. Like the many fighters who have already signed the open petition against this bill.
“Don’t take away federal protections so a multi-billion dollar corporation can make even more off fighters’ blood, sweat, and sacrifice,” he finished.
