Former boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya and Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, testified before the U.S. Senate, cautioning against a proposed overhaul of federal boxing laws. They argued that the current Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, enacted in 2000, is crucial for protecting fighters from exploitation and maintaining a balance of power.
A House-passed bill, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, aims to consolidate promotion, rankings, titles, and sanctioning under a single entity. De La Hoya stated this shift would prioritize corporate profits over fighters, leading to fewer choices and less control for athletes.
Walsh echoed these concerns, emphasizing that the original Ali Act separates fighter control from marketplace control to prevent conflicts of interest. He warned that the proposed Revival Act would betray the principles his grandfather's legislation was designed to uphold.
WWE President and TKO Group board member Nick Khan spoke in favor of the Revival Act, suggesting it offers an optional, centralized system for boxing, similar to major sports leagues.