The world of boxing has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the emergence of new promotions and a renewed focus on fighter safety. Two prominent organizations, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and TKO, led by Dana White and Turki Al-Sheikh respectively, are now seeking to make changes to the Muhammad Ali Act, a federal law that has protected boxers for over two decades. The Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act was passed into law on May 26, 2000, with the aim of expanding upon the 1996 Professional Boxing Safety Act and providing a central governing body for the sport. The act has been instrumental in protecting the rights of boxers, including preventing promoters from simultaneously acting as managers and requiring promoters to disclose financial details of fights, including revenue distribution, to boxers. However, as the years have passed, many have argued that the act has not been enough to protect boxers, with some arguing that it has actually had the opposite effect. The act has been criticized for being too restrictive, limiting the number of promotions and events that can take place, and failing to provide adequate protection for fighters. The UFC and TKO are now seeking to amend the Muhammad Ali Act to create more choices and opportunities for boxers. The UFC has stated that it is looking to expand the act to provide more opportunities for fighters to compete and to create a more level playing field for all boxers. TKO and UFC’s push to amend the Muhammad Ali Act is not entirely surprising. In 2016, the UFC lobbied against an amendment that would extend the act into mixed martial arts. More recently, TKO Executive Chairman Ari Emanuel has stated that the Muhammad Ali Act “hurt” boxing. “TKO is having preliminary conversations with members of Congress about how we can work together to expand the Ali Act to create more choices and opportunities for boxers,” a spokesperson for the UFC told ESPN’s Andreas Hale. The efforts of the UFC and TKO to amend the Muhammad Ali Act are not exactly well received by many fans and some former fighters. As news of the organizations’ efforts to amend the act began to circulate, it was met with push back from many. * The Muhammad Ali Act protects fighters from coercion and exploitation. * The act has provided a central governing body for the sport, which has helped to standardize rules and regulations. * The act has also provided protection for boxers from promoters who may try to take advantage of them. Despite the criticism, the UFC and TKO are confident that their efforts to amend the Muhammad Act will lead to a more positive outcome for boxers. They believe that the enhancements they are discussing could help to inspire a boxing revival in America, provide American boxers with access to greater opportunities and better protections, and lead to more boxing events across the country. The UFC and TKO are expected to launch a new boxing promotion in the near future, with many insiders speculating that it will take place in September. The promotion is expected to feature a major fight between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence Crawford, but nothing has been confirmed. In the meantime, the UFC will move forward with UFC on Saturday, April 11, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Muhammad Ali Act has been a vital part of the sport for many years, providing a framework for the sport and protecting the rights of boxers. However, as the sport continues to evolve, it is likely that the act will need to be amended to keep up with the changing landscape. A possible amendment to the act could include:
* Expanding the act to include mixed martial arts. * Providing more protection for boxers from promoters who may try to take advantage of them. * Increasing the number of promotions and events that can take place. By working together with the UFC and TKO, the boxing community can create a more positive and supportive environment for boxers, and ensure that the sport continues to thrive.

“We believe the enhancements we are discussing could help to inspire a boxing revival in America, provide American boxers with access to greater opportunities and better protections, and lead to more boxing events across our country,” a spokesperson for the UFC told ESPN’s Andreas Hale.

The world of boxing is constantly evolving, and it is likely that the Muhammad Ali Act will need to be amended to keep up with the changing landscape. As the UFC and TKO continue to work together to create a more positive and supportive environment for boxers, it will be interesting to see how the act evolves in the future.