Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids, a former mixed-martial-arts fighter, is co-sponsoring the new “Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.” The proposal has ignited a sharp response from boxers, managers and combat-sports lawyers who argue the bill would erode key safeguards created by the 2000 Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.
Dana White contributed to Sharice Davids’ campaign in 2021.
Changes to the Ali Act
Congress enacted the Ali Act in the year 2000 after testimony on exploited fighters, manipulated rankings and undisclosed promotional contracts. The law requires promoters to disclose fight revenues and expenses to athletes, bars promoters from acting as managers to avoid conflicts of interest, and gives state commissions authority to suspend promoters who violate the rules.