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HR 1832106th CongressSigned into LawHouse

Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act

Policy Area: Sports and Recreation
View on Congress.gov
Origin Chamber
House
Last Updated
Mar 23, 2026
Latest Action Date
May 26, 2000

Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 106-210.

Official Summary

Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act - Amends the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (the Act) to direct the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) to develop and approve by a vote of at least a majority of its member State boxing commissioners guidelines for: (1) minimum contractual provisions that should be included in bout agreements and boxing contracts; and (2) objective and consistent written criteria for the ratings of professional boxers. Expresses the sense of Congress that State boxing commissions should follow such guidelines.Declares that a contract provision shall be considered to be in restraint of trade, contrary to public policy, and unenforceable, against any boxer to the extent that it contains a coercive provision as provided in this Act and that: (1) it is for a period greater than a year; or (2) the other boxer under contract to the promoter came under that contract pursuant to a coercive provision. Specifies that no subsequent contract provision extending any rights or compensation covered herein shall be enforceable against a boxer if the effective date of the contract containing such provision is earlier than three months before the expiration of the relevant time period.Prohibits a boxing service provider from requiring a boxer to grant any future promotional rights as a requirement of competing in a professional boxing match (match) that is a mandatory bout under the rules of the sanctioning organization.Prohibits a sanctioning organization from receiving any compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with a match until: (1) it provides the boxers with notice that the sanctioning organization shall, within seven days after receiving a request from a boxer questioning that organization's rating of the boxer, provide to the boxer a written explanation of the organization's criteria, its rating of the boxer, and the rationale or basis for its rating (including a response to any specific questions submitted by the boxer), and submits a copy of its explanation to the ABC; and (2) with respect to a change in the rating of a boxer previously rated by such organization in the top ten boxers, the organization posts a copy, within seven days of such change, on the Internet website or home page, if any, including an explanation of such change, for a period of not less than 30 days, and provides a copy of the rating change and explanation to an association to which at least a majority of the State boxing commissions belong.Prohibits a sanctioning organization from receiving any compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with a match unless, not later than January 31 of each year, it submits to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and to the ABC: (1) a complete description of the organization's ratings criteria, policies, and general sanctioning fee schedule; (2) the bylaws of the organization; (3) the appeals procedure of the organization for a boxer's rating; and (4) a list and business address of the organization's officials who vote on the ratings of boxers.Requires a sanctioning organization to: (1) provide such information in writing and, for any document greater than two pages in length, also in electronic form; and (2) promptly notify the FTC of any material change in the information submitted.Directs the FTC to make such information received available to the public. Allows the FTC to assess sanctioning organizations a fee to offset the costs it incurs in processing the information and making it available to the public. Permits a sanctioning organization, in lieu of submitting the information required above to the FTC, to provide the information to the public by maintaining a website on the Internet that: (1) is readily accessible by the general public using generally available search engines and does not require a password or payment of a fee for full access to all the information; (2) contains all the information required to be submitted to the FTC in an easy to search and use format; and (3) is updated whenever there is a material change in the information.Sets forth provisions regarding required disclosures: (1) to State boxing commissions by sanctioning organizations; (2) for promoters; and (3) for judges and referees.Provides that neither a boxing commission nor an Attorney General may disclose to the public any matter required to be furnished by a promoter under this Act, except to the extent required in a legal, administrative, or judicial proceeding. Specifies that if a State law governing a boxing commission requires that such information be made public, a promoter is not required to file such information with such State if the promoter files such information with the ABC.Prohibits any person from arranging, promoting, organizing, producing, or fighting in a match unless all referees and judges participating have been certified and approved by the boxing commission responsible for regulating the match in the State where the match is held.Amends the Act to prohibit: (1) a promoter from having a direct or indirect financial interest in the management of a boxer; or (2) a manager from having a direct or indirect financial interest in the promotion of a boxer, or from being employed by or receiving compensation or other benefits from a promoter, except for amounts received as consideration under the manager's contract with the boxer. Specifies that this provision does not prohibit a boxer from acting as his own promoter or manager, and that it only applies to boxers participating in a boxing match of ten rounds or more.Prohibits an officer or employee of a sanctioning organization from receiving any compensation, gift, or benefit from a promoter, boxer, or manager, except for the receipt of: (1) payment by a promoter, boxer, or manager of a sanctioning organization's published fee for sanctioning a match or reasonable expenses in connection therewith if the payment is reported to the responsible boxing commission; or (2) the receipt of a gift or benefit of de minimis value.Amends the Act to set penalties for violation of anti-exploitation, sanctioning organization, or disclosure provisions. Authorizes specified civil actions by States and a private right of action by any boxer suffering economic injury because of a violation of this Act. Provides that nothing in this Act authorizes enforcement against the FTC, specified Federal or State officers or entities, or a boxer acting in his capacity as a boxer.(Sec. 7) Amends the Act to include the Virgin Islands within the definition of "State" under the Act. Defines "suspension" to include revocation of a boxing license.Requires each boxing commission to establish procedures to: (1) ensure that no boxer is permitted to box (with exceptions) while under suspension from any boxing commission due to unsportsmanlike conduct or other inappropriate behavior inconsistent with generally accepted methods of competition in a match; and (2) review a suspension where appealed by a licensee, manager, matchmaker, promoter, or other boxing service provider (currently limited to appeals by a boxer).Changes the renewal period for professional boxer identification cards from two to four years.Provides that if no State commission is available to supervise a boxing match: (1) the match may not be held unless it is supervised by an association of boxing commissions to which at least a majority of the States belong; and (2) any reporting or other requirement relating to a supervising commission allowed under the Act shall be deemed to refer to such entity.Expresses the sense of Congress that a boxing commission should, upon issuing an identification card to a boxer, make an appropriate health and safety disclosure to that boxer, including the risks associated with boxing (in particular, the risk and frequency of brain injury and the advisability that a boxer periodically undergo medical procedures designed to detect brain injury).

GovScope Watchdog™

AI Government Intelligence™
Executive Summary

The Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act amends the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 to enhance protections for professional boxers and improve transparency and fairness in the sport. It directs the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) to develop guidelines on contractual provisions and boxer ratings, prohibits coercive contract terms, and restricts promoters and managers from certain financial interests. The Act also imposes disclosure requirements on sanctioning organizations, mandates certification of referees and judges, and establishes penalties for violations. It includes provisions for suspension procedures, extends boxer ID card renewal periods, and requires health and safety disclosures to boxers. The Act aims to regulate boxing matches more effectively and ensure fair treatment of boxers while increasing oversight of sanctioning bodies and promoters.

Bottom Line

This law strengthens boxer protections, increases transparency in boxing governance, and sets standards for contracts, ratings, and conduct within professional boxing.

Policy Risk Level
🟡 Medium
Neutral Risk Assessment
Key Points
  • Requires the Association of Boxing Commissions to establish guidelines for minimum contract provisions and objective boxer rating criteria.
  • Prohibits coercive contract provisions that restrict boxers unfairly and limits promoters' and managers' financial interests in boxers.
  • Mandates sanctioning organizations to disclose rating criteria, bylaws, appeals procedures, and officials to the FTC and ABC, with public access to this information.
  • Requires certification and approval of referees and judges by state boxing commissions for all matches.
  • Establishes penalties and civil actions for violations and expands the definition of 'State' to include the Virgin Islands.
Who Benefits?

['Professional boxers, through enhanced contract protections and clearer rating criteria.', 'State boxing commissions and the Association of Boxing Commissions, via standardized guidelines and oversight.', 'Sanctioning organizations, by clarifying disclosure and operational requirements.', 'Promoters and managers, through defined limits on financial interests and clearer regulatory expectations.', 'The Federal Trade Commission, by receiving information to oversee sanctioning organizations.']

Potential Concerns

['Implementation complexity in developing and enforcing uniform guidelines across multiple state commissions.', 'Administrative costs for sanctioning organizations and the FTC related to disclosure, reporting, and public information maintenance.', 'Potential challenges in monitoring and enforcing prohibitions on coercive contract provisions and financial conflicts of interest.', 'Balancing transparency requirements with privacy and proprietary concerns of promoters and sanctioning bodies.', 'Ensuring consistent certification standards for referees and judges across states and associations.']

Political Context

The bill was enacted as Public Law No: 106-210 on May 26, 2000, amending the earlier Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996. It reflects congressional efforts to address concerns about fairness, transparency, and safety in professional boxing by involving state commissions, the Association of Boxing Commissions, and the Federal Trade Commission. The law includes provisions to regulate contractual practices, sanctioning organizations, and match officials, indicating a comprehensive approach to boxing governance within the sports and recreation policy area.

Hidden Impact Review

High concern review — 3 hidden impact flags detected

GovScope reviewed 3 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.

High Concern
Detected Flags
Indirect Effects

['Improved boxer safety awareness due to mandated health and safety disclosures, including brain injury risks.', 'Potential standardization of boxing contracts and ratings across states, leading to more consistent treatment of boxers.', "Increased public access to sanctioning organizations' operations and criteria, potentially influencing boxer and promoter behavior.", 'Possible reduction in conflicts of interest within boxing promotion and management, affecting industry dynamics.', 'Enhanced oversight and enforcement mechanisms may lead to more legal actions related to violations of the Act.']

GovScope Watchdog Notes

The Act establishes multiple transparency and oversight mechanisms, including annual reporting to the FTC and ABC, public access to sanctioning organizations' rating criteria and fee schedules, and certification requirements for referees and judges. It also creates private rights of action for boxers and authorizes civil enforcement by states, enhancing accountability. However, confidentiality provisions limit public disclosure of some promoter information, which may affect full transparency. Monitoring compliance with contract provisions and financial interest restrictions will require coordinated enforcement efforts across state commissions and federal agencies.

Passage Likelihood: HighConfidence: 95%Model: gpt-4.1-mini

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