[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4624 Engrossed in House (EH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4624
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 to establish
requirements for unified boxing organizations, to further enhance the
well-being of professional boxers, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival
Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to provide increased choice and opportunity to
professional boxers by allowing a professional boxer to choose
to participate in the alternative system offered by a unified
boxing organization; and
(2) to further enhance safety precautions that protect the
well-being of professional boxers.
SEC. 3. UNIFIED BOXING ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) In General.--The Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15
U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 24. UNIFIED BOXING ORGANIZATIONS.
``(a) Alternative System for Compliance With the Requirements of
This Act.--A unified boxing organization (in this section referred to
as a `UBO') shall be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements
of this Act if the UBO meets the requirements of section 5 and the
conditions of this section with respect to--
``(1) each boxer under contract with the UBO; and
``(2) each professional boxing match organized by the UBO
(in this section referred to as a `covered match').
``(b) Safety and Industry Standards; Medical Examinations.--
``(1) In general.--A condition of this section is that a
UBO meets the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this
subsection, in addition to the requirements of section 5.
``(2) Special rule relating to knockouts.--In the case of a
boxer who suffers a knockout during a covered match, a UBO
shall require that (in addition to the examinations required
for such boxer pursuant to section 5(a)(1)(B)(iii)) the boxer
undergo the applicable examinations described in section
5(a)(1)(B)(iii) relating to brain health prior to participating
in the boxer's next covered match.
``(3) Supplemental physical examinations for boxers who are
40 years of age or older.--
``(A) In general.--A UBO shall ensure that a boxer
who participates in a covered match at the age of 40 or
older undergoes (in addition to the physical
examinations required pursuant to section
5(a)(1)(B)(iii) and paragraph (2) of this subsection,
as applicable) a supplemental physical examination
conducted by a licensed physician that affirms the
fitness of the boxer to safely participate in a covered
match.
``(B) Elements.--A supplemental physical
examination under subparagraph (A) shall include each
of the following:
``(i) A chest X-ray.
``(ii) A comprehensive metabolic panel
blood test.
``(iii) A urinalysis to measure the overall
health condition of the boxer.
``(C) Frequency.--The supplemental physical
examination to be conducted under subparagraph (A)
shall occur at least annually, except that the chest X-
ray required under subparagraph (B)(i) shall occur at
least once every 6 years.
``(c) Provision of Medical Care During Matches.--
``(1) Ambulances.--A condition of this section is that a
UBO provides (in addition to the ambulance required to be
provided by such UBO pursuant to section 5(a)(2)) for at least
1 additional ambulance to be continuously present on site of a
covered match.
``(2) Ringside presence.--
``(A) In general.--A condition of this section is
that a UBO provides (in addition to the licensed
physician required to be provided by such UBO pursuant
to section 5(a)(3)) for at least 1 additional licensed
physician to be continuously present at ringside during
a covered match.
``(B) Certification requirement.--Beginning on the
date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of the
Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026, each
physician required to be provided by a UBO shall have a
certification obtained through a certification program
administered by the Association of Boxing Commissions
in partnership with the Association of Ring-side
Physicians (or any successor organization).
``(d) Support Services for Boxers Under Contract With a UBO.--A
condition of this section is that, during the period in which a boxer
is under contract with a UBO, the UBO shall ensure such boxer has each
of the following:
``(1) Equipment and facilities for training and
rehabilitation.--The boxer has access to equipment and
facilities that are operated by the UBO for training and
rehabilitation.
``(2) Insurance policy.--In addition to the health
insurance provided to the boxer pursuant to section 5(a)(4),
the boxer has in effect an insurance policy that provides
medical coverage for any injury sustained by the boxer during
the period of training for a covered match.
``(3) Medical coordinator.--A medical coordinator is
assigned to the boxer to assist the boxer with satisfying
medical and licensing requirements related to the participation
of the boxer in a covered match.
``(e) Comprehensive Anti-doping Program.--
``(1) Requirement.--
``(A) In general.--A condition of this section is
that a UBO has in effect a comprehensive anti-doping
program that includes the testing and requirements
related to such testing under this subsection.
``(B) List of prohibited substances and
penalties.--A UBO shall, on an annual basis, publish,
and make available to the public, a list that
identifies, with respect to the preceding year--
``(i) each substance tested for under the
comprehensive anti-doping program of the UBO;
and
``(ii) each penalty imposed on a boxer
under paragraph (6).
``(2) In-competition testing.--
``(A) In general.--The UBO shall ensure that
testing is conducted, in accordance with paragraph (5),
for at least half the boxers participating in each
covered match organized by such UBO for an event.
``(B) Timing.--Testing required under subparagraph
(A) shall--
``(i) occur during the period beginning on
the date of a weigh-in for a covered match and
ending on the date of the match; and
``(ii) determine whether a boxer is
positive or negative for each substance
prohibited by--
``(I) the boxing commission of the
State in which the match is held; or
``(II) in the case of a covered
match held within a reservation (as
defined by section 21), the tribal
organization (as defined by section 21
and that meets the requirements of
section 21) regulating the match.
``(3) No-notice testing.--In addition to the testing
required under paragraph (2), during the period in which a
boxer is under contract with a UBO, the UBO may conduct
testing, with no advance notice to the boxer and in accordance
with paragraph (5), to determine whether such boxer is positive
or negative for each substance prohibited by the UBO.
``(4) Substances prohibited by ubo.--The UBO shall prohibit
each substance prohibited as described in subclause (I) of
clause (ii) of section 7(a)(5)(B) (or, if no substance is so
prohibited, each substance listed as described in subclause
(II) of such clause), except that the UBO may elect to not test
a boxer participating in a covered match for any substance that
is not prohibited by the boxing commission of the State in
which the match is being held or the tribal organization
described in paragraph (2)(B)(ii)(II) that is regulating the
match.''
``(5) Administration of tests.--An independent third-party
shall conduct the testing under paragraphs (2) and (3), which
shall include--
``(A) carrying out each such test;
``(B) determining the result of each such test; and
``(C) reporting a positive result of such a test
to--
``(i) the UBO concerned;
``(ii) the boxing commission of the State
in which a covered match is held or the tribal
organization regulating the match; and
``(iii) the Association of Boxing
Commissions.
``(6) Penalties.--
``(A) In general.--A UBO shall implement any
penalty decided--
``(i) with respect to a positive test
result related to the testing conducted under
paragraph (2), by--
``(I) the boxing commission of the
State in which a covered match is held
or the tribal organization regulating
the match; or
``(II) the Association of Boxing
Commissions; and
``(ii) with respect to a positive test
result related to the testing conducted under
paragraph (3), by the independent third-party
conducting such testing.
``(B) Assessment for penalties.--In imposing a
penalty on a boxer for whom the independent third-party
reports a positive test result under paragraph (2) or
(3), the boxing commission, the Association of Boxing
Commissions, or the independent third-party described
in subparagraph (A) shall consider--
``(i) the seriousness of the positive test
result in relation to the participation of the
boxer in a covered match; and
``(ii) the degree to which the boxer is at
fault for the positive test result.
``(7) Contract requirement.--A UBO shall include in any
contract entered into between the UBO and a boxer regarding
participation in covered matches such terms and conditions as
may be necessary to require the boxer to submit to testing
under this subsection during the period of the contract.
``(f) Required Contract Provisions.--In addition to the
requirements described in subsection (e)(7), a contract between a UBO
and a boxer shall meet each of the following requirements:
``(1) During the 30-day period ending on the last day of
such contract, the boxer may not be prohibited from
communicating with another UBO or a promoter.
``(2) Such contract shall--
``(A) specify the minimum payment that such boxer
will receive for participating in a round of a boxing
match, which shall be at least $200 per round; and
``(B)(i) arrange that such boxer fight in a minimum
of 1 boxing match every 6 months; or
``(ii) ensure that such boxer is paid an amount
that is not less than 10 times the minimum payment for
such boxer for 1 round as specified pursuant to
subparagraph (A), except that this clause shall not
apply if an injury prevents the boxer from fighting and
the boxer is collecting insurance for such injury
pursuant to subsection (d)(2), or the boxer refuses or
is otherwise unable to fight for reasons beyond the
control of the UBO, including inability of the boxer to
travel or the boxer's failure to maintain relevant
licensure.
``(3) Such contract may not exceed 6 years.
``(g) Boxing Conduct Policy.--
``(1) In general.--A condition of this section is that a
UBO implements and ensures compliance with a comprehensive
boxing conduct policy that prohibits a boxer, or any covered
individual, who is directly involved with or participates in a
covered match from--
``(A) placing a bet or wager, directly or through a
third party, on the match; and
``(B) sharing non-public information with a third
party that is material to the performance of a boxer
participating in the match or the outcome of the match
for the purpose of assisting the third party in placing
a bet or wager on the match.
``(2) Compliance.--A UBO shall implement and ensure
compliance with procedures for monitoring and enforcing
compliance with the boxing conduct policy implemented under
paragraph (1).
``(3) Covered individual defined.--In this subsection, the
term `covered individual' means, with respect to a boxer who
participates in a covered match, any of the following:
``(A) An adult living in the same household as the
boxer.
``(B) A coach, manager, or athletic trainer of the
boxer.
``(C) A physician or other medical professional who
provides services to the boxer.
``(D) An employee, officer, or director of the UBO
concerned.
``(E) An agent of any such person who is directly
involved with or participates in a covered match.
``(h) Conflicts of Interest.--A condition of this section is that a
UBO implements prohibitions against the officers or employees of the
UBO, or any representative of the UBO, engaging in any of the
following:
``(1) Any direct or indirect financial interest in the
management of a boxer in relation to the participation of the
boxer in a covered match.
``(2) Employment of, or making a payment to, a manager who
represents a boxer who participates in a covered match,
except--
``(A) when the boxer acts as the boxer's own
manager; or
``(B) for any consideration paid by the UBO to the
manager under the contract between the manager and the
boxer.
``(3) Receiving or requesting from a boxer the payment of a
fee related to--
``(A) the ranking of the boxer; and
``(B) the participation of the boxer in a covered
match--
``(i) including any fee related to a boxer
participating in a covered match in which the
boxer will be challenging a champion or
defending a championship, including any award;
and
``(ii) excluding any cost related to a
boxer reimbursing a UBO for reasonable expenses
incurred by the UBO on behalf of the boxer in
relation to the participation of the boxer in a
covered match, including any medical expense
and travel expense.
``(i) Boxing Commissions.--
``(1) Prohibition.--A condition of this section is that a
covered match may not be held--
``(A) in a State without a boxing commission; or
``(B) within a reservation (as defined by section
21) under the jurisdiction of a tribal organization (as
defined by section 21) that does not meet the
requirements of section 21.
``(2) Judges and referees.--A condition of this section is
that a UBO meets the requirements of section 16.
``(j) Financial Responsibility.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a condition of
this section is that a UBO is financially responsible for the
costs of meeting the requirements of section 5 and the
conditions of this section.
``(2) Cost of any deductible.-- The cost of any deductible
for any health insurance required to be provided by the UBO for
a boxer shall be the financial responsibility of the boxer.
``(k) Federal Trade Commission Filing.--
``(1) In general.--A condition of this section is that, on
the date in which a UBO intends to claim status as a UBO for
purposes of this section, the UBO submits to the Federal Trade
Commission and to the Association of Boxing Commissions
information regarding the UBO, including the following:
``(A) The State in which the UBO is incorporated.
``(B) The business address of the UBO.
``(C) The website of the UBO.
``(2) Format; updates.--To meet the condition of this
subsection, the UBO shall--
``(A) provide the information described in
paragraph (1) in--
``(i) writing; and
``(ii) for any document greater than 2
pages in length, electronic form; and
``(B) promptly notify the Federal Trade Commission
of any material change in the information submitted.
``(3) Federal trade commission to make information
available to public.--The Federal Trade Commission--
``(A) shall make information received under this
subsection available to the public; and
``(B) may assess the UBO a fee to offset the costs
the Commission incurs in processing the information and
in making the information available to the public.
``(4) Internet alternative.--In lieu of submitting the
information described in paragraph (1) to the Federal Trade
Commission, a UBO may provide the information to the public by
maintaining a website on the internet that meets the following
requirements:
``(A) Is readily accessible by the general public
using generally available search engines.
``(B) For full access to the information, does not
require a password or payment of a fee.
``(C) Contains the information described in
paragraph (1) in a format that is easy to search and
use.
``(D) Is updated when there is a material change in
the information.
``(l) Relationship With State Law.--Nothing in this section shall
prohibit a State from adopting or enforcing supplemental laws or
regulations not inconsistent with this section, or criminal, civil, or
administrative fines for violations of such laws or regulations.''.
(b) Enforcement.--Section 18(b) of the Professional Boxing Safety
Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6309(b)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(5) Unified boxing organizations.--Any officer or
employee of a unified boxing organization who willfully and
knowingly violates, or coerces or causes any other person to
violate, section 24 shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned for
not more than 1 year or fined not more than $20,000, or
both.''.
(c) Definitions.--Section 2 of the Professional Boxing Safety Act
of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6301) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:
``(7) Physician.--The term `physician' means a doctor of
medicine, with a degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of
Osteopathic Medicine, who is legally authorized to practice
medicine by the State in which the physician performs such
function or action.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(16) Unified boxing organization.--The term `unified
boxing organization' or `UBO' means an association, a league,
or a centralized industry organization in the private sector
that--
``(A) organizes a professional boxing match in a
system in which a boxer under contract with such
association, league, or centralized industry
organization competes against another such boxer
pursuant to unified rules; and
``(B) without reliance on a sanctioning
organization operating independently of such
association, league, or centralized industry
organization, implements a system for title belts and
ranking for boxers under contract with such
association, league, or centralized industry
organization.''.
SEC. 4. BOXING INDUSTRY STANDARDS.
(a) Boxer Safety and Industry Standards.--Section 5 of the
Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6304) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and industry''
after ``safety'';
(2) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``No person'' and inserting the
following:
``(a) Health and Safety of Boxers.--No person''; and
(B) by inserting ``, at a minimum,'' after ``that
provides'';
(3) in subsection (a), as so designated--
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) Physical examination.--
``(A) In general.--A physical examination of each
boxer by a physician certifying whether or not the
boxer is physically fit to safely compete, copies of
which shall be provided to the boxing commission by
such physician.
``(B) Minimal medical requirements.--
``(i) In general.--A physician may certify
as required under subparagraph (A) only if the
examinations described in clause (iii) are
conducted, which examinations shall be valid
only for the amount of time prior to a match
indicated in such table.
``(ii) Validity.--No examination shall be
valid unless it is conducted by a physician, in
person, and includes a written opinion that the
result of such examination does not
contraindicate that a boxer is able to compete
safely.
``(iii) Required examinations.--The
examinations described in this clause are those
set forth in the following table:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Required examinations Validity
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Complete physical examination, including blood work 1 year
Dilated eye examination 1 year
Heart examinations (Electrocardiogram, and for a boxer aged 40 years or older, a stress test) 1 year
Antibody tests (Negative Human Immunodeficiency Virus antibody, Hepatitis B antigen, and Hepatitis 6 months
C antibody)
Brain health examinations (For a boxer aged 40 years or older, a magnetic resonance image (MRI) 1 year
scan and a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the brain; for a boxer under age 40, an MRI of
the brain or neurologic examination conducted by a neurologist)
In the case of a female fighter, a pregnancy test 14 days'';
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``Except'' and inserting
``Ambulance; equipment.--Except''; and
(ii) by striking ``an ambulance or medical
personnel'' and inserting ``an ambulance and
medical personnel'';
(C) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) Physician.--A physician continuously present at
ringside who, beginning on the date that is 2 years after the
date of enactment of the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival
Act of 2026, shall have a certification obtained through a
certification program administered by the Association of Boxing
Commissions in partnership with the Association of Ring-side
Physicians, or any successor organization.''; and
(D) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
``(4) Insurance.--For each boxer, health insurance that--
``(A) provides a minimum of $50,000 in medical
coverage for any injuries sustained in the match and
$15,000 in accidental death coverage for any fatality
arising from such match; and
``(B) with respect to any premium, is not the
financial responsibility of the boxer.'';
(4) by adding after subsection (a), as designated by
paragraph (2) of this subsection, the following:
``(b) Minimum Payment to Boxers.--A promoter or unified boxing
organization shall pay a minimum of $200 to each boxer for each round
in a match in which the boxer participates.''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Simplification of Titles.--
``(1) Singular titles.--A sanctioning organization or
unified boxing organization shall award only 1 championship
title for each weight class.
``(2) Interim titles.--A sanctioning organization or
unified boxing organization may not award an interim
championship title except in the case of an injury or illness
to a reigning titleholder, refusal or inability by the reigning
title holder to defend his title, or for reasons beyond the
control of the boxer, including inability to travel.''.
(b) Review.--Section 7 of the Professional Boxing Safety Act of
1996 (15 U.S.C. 6306) is amended--
(1) subsection (a) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(5) Procedures to ensure that--
``(A) drug tests shall be administered--
``(i) for any title match; and
``(ii) at random for all other matches; and
``(B) such drug tests shall screen, at a minimum,
for--
``(i) if the boxing commission with
jurisdiction over the match (or the tribal
organization (as defined in section 21) that is
regulating the match) prohibits the use of one
or more substances, each substance so
prohibited; or
``(ii) if no substance is prohibited as
described in clause (i)--
``(I) each substance prohibited by
the Association of Boxing Commissions;
or
``(II) if no substance is
prohibited as described in subclause
(I), each substance listed in the most
current edition of `The World Anti-
Doping Code, The Prohibited List
International Standard' of the World
Anti-Doping Agency.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Consistent Standards.--It is the sense of Congress that--
``(1) uneven development of standards and practices by
boxing commissions (including tribal organizations in
compliance with section 21) has enabled matches that would not
have been authorized by boxing commissions with robust
standards and practices, and that boxers have been seriously
injured or killed as a result;
``(2) the Association of Boxing Commissions (in this
subsection referred to as the `ABC'), in partnership with the
Association of Ringside Physicians, is well-positioned to
identify policies and practices most conducive to boxer safety
and wellbeing; and
``(3) the ABC should, accordingly, publish and maintain--
``(A) a model legislative and regulatory code for
professional boxing, derived from--
``(i) State policies that are most
protective of boxers' safety, health,
wellbeing, and economic opportunity;
``(ii) rigorous sporting authority
guidelines, such as the USA Boxing protocols
for medical suspension; and
``(iii) expert consensus statements from
the Association of Ringside Physicians and
other sports medicine organizations;
``(B) best practices recommendations for oversight
of professional boxing and implementation of legal
duties by boxing commissions; and
``(C) an annual report card of boxing commission
conformance with such model codes and best
practices.''.
(c) Judges and Referees.--Section 16 of the Professional Boxing
Safety Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6307h) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 16. JUDGES AND REFEREES.
``No person may arrange, promote, organize, produce, or fight in a
professional boxing match unless all referees and judges participating
in the match have been certified and approved by--
``(1) the boxing commission responsible for regulating the
match in the State where the match is held; or
``(2) the Association of Boxing Commissions.''.
(d) Conflicts of Interest.--Section 17(c)(2)(A) of the Professional
Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6308(c)(2)(A)) is amended by
striking ``or reasonable expenses in connection therewith''.
(e) Technical Amendment.--Paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 21(a)
of the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6312(a)) are
amended by striking ``25 U.S.C. 450b'' and inserting ``25 U.S.C.
5304''.
SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPLICATION.
The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of
enactment of this Act, and shall apply with respect to boxing matches
that take place on or after the date that is 30 days after such date of
enactment.
Passed the House of Representatives March 24, 2026.
Attest:
Clerk.
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4624
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 to establish
requirements for unified boxing organizations, to further enhance the
well-being of professional boxers, and for other purposes.