Unified boxing organizations

The Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) is amended—(1)in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 6301)—(A)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

(B)by adding at the end the following:

(16)

Unified boxing organization

The term unified boxing organization 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)implements a system for title belts for boxers under contract with such association, league, or centralized industry organization and may rely upon, utilize, or recognize titles and rankings for such boxers from an organization operating independently of such association, league, or centralized industry organization.

;

(2)in section 18(b) (15 U.S.C. 6309(b)), by adding at the end the following:

(5)

Unified boxing organizations

Any officer or employee of a unified boxing organization who knowingly violates, or coerces or causes any other person to violate, section 21A shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned for not more than 1 year or fined not more than $20,000, or both.

; and

(3)by inserting after section 21 the following:

21A.

Unified boxing organizations

(a)

Alternative system for compliance

A unified boxing organization shall be considered to be in compliance with the requirements of this Act if the unified boxing organization meets the requirements of section 5 and the conditions of this section with respect to—(1)each boxer under contract with the unified boxing organization; and(2)each covered match.(b)

Safety and industry standards; medical examinations

(1)

In general

A condition of this section is that a unified boxing organization shall meet 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 unified boxing organization shall require that, in addition to the examinations required for such boxer under section 5(a)(1)(B)(iii), the boxer shall undergo the applicable examinations described in such section relating to brain health before the boxer may participate in a subsequent covered match.(3)

Supplemental physical examinations for boxers who are 40 years of age or older

(A)

In general

A unified boxing organization shall ensure that a boxer who participates in a covered match at the age of 40 or older has undergone, in addition to the physical examinations required under 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 not less frequently than annually, except that the chest X-ray required under subparagraph (B)(i) shall occur not less frequently than once every 6 years.(c)

Provision of medical care during covered matches

(1)

Ambulances

A condition of this section is that a unified boxing organization shall provide, in addition to the ambulance required to be provided by the unified boxing organization under section 5(a)(2), at least 1 additional ambulance to be continuously present on site at a covered match.(2)

Ringside physician presence

(A)

In general

A condition of this section is that a unified boxing organization shall provide, in addition to the licensed physician required to be provided by such unified boxing organization under section 5(a)(3), 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 the enactment of this section, each physician required to be provided by a unified boxing organization shall have a certification obtained through a certification program administered by the Association of Boxing Commissions in partnership with the Association of Ringside Physicians (or a successor organization).(d)

Support services

A condition of this section is that, during the period in which a boxer is under contract with a unified boxing organization, the unified boxing organization shall ensure that such boxer has each of the following:(1)Access to equipment and facilities for training and rehabilitation at reasonable costs proximate to where the boxer resides.(2)In addition to the health insurance provided to the boxer under section 5(a)(4), an insurance policy in effect that provides medical coverage for any injury sustained by the boxer during the period of training for a covered match.(3)A medical coordinator 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 unified boxing organization shall have in effect a comprehensive anti-doping program that includes testing, and requirements related to such testing, under this subsection. (B)

List of prohibited substances and penalties

A unified boxing organization 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 unified boxing organization; and (ii) each penalty imposed on a boxer under paragraph (6). (2)

In-competition testing

(A)

In general

The unified boxing organization shall ensure that testing is conducted in accordance with paragraph (5) for not fewer than half the boxers participating in each covered match organized by such unified boxing organization 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 covered 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 covered match is held; (II) in the case of a covered match held within a reservation, the tribal organization that meets the requirements of section 21 and is responsible for regulating the covered match; or (III) in the case of a covered match held in a State without a boxing commission, the commission responsible for regulating the covered match as provided by section 4. (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 unified boxing organization, the unified boxing organization 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 unified boxing organization. (4)

Substances prohibited by unified boxing organization

The unified boxing organization 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 unified boxing organization may elect not to 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 covered match is being held or the tribal organization responsible for regulating the covered 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 unified boxing organization concerned; (ii) the boxing commission of the State in which a covered match is held or the tribal organization responsible for regulating the covered match, as applicable; and (iii) the Association of Boxing Commissions. (6)

Penalties

(A)

In general

A unified boxing organization shall enforce any penalty imposed by, with respect to a positive test result related to the testing conducted under paragraph (2)— (i) the boxing commission of the State in which a covered match is held or the tribal organization responsible for regulating the covered match, as applicable; or (ii) the Association of Boxing Commissions. (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 Association of Boxing Commissions 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 unified boxing organization shall include in any contract entered into between the unified boxing organization 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

(1)

In general

In addition to the requirements described in subsection (e)(7), a contract between a unified boxing organization and a boxer shall meet each of the following requirements:(A)The contract shall not prohibit, during the 90 day period ending on the last day of such contract, the boxer from communicating with another unified boxing organization or a promoter, provided that the boxer may not enter into a new agreement before the end of the term of the existing contract.(B)The contract shall—(i)specify the minimum payment that a boxer would or will receive for participating in a round of a covered match, which shall be at least $200 per round scheduled; and(ii)(I)arrange for such boxer to fight in a minimum of 1 covered 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 1 round specified under clause (i), except that this subclause 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), the boxer tests positive for a prohibited substance, or the boxer refuses or is otherwise unable to fight for reasons beyond the control of the unified boxing organization, including inability of the boxer to travel or the boxer’s failure to maintain relevant licensure.(C)Except as specified in paragraph (2), the contract may not exceed 6 years.(2)

Exception for first professional agreement; free agency rights

A contract between a unified boxing organization and a boxer that constitutes the first professional promotional agreement of the boxer shall not exceed 3 years.(3)

Application to all promotional contracts

Notwithstanding another provision of law, the protections afforded to boxers under paragraphs (1)(A), (1)(C), and (2) shall apply to any contract between a boxer and a promoter to the same extent as those protections apply to a contract between a boxer and a unified boxing organization.(g)

Boxing conduct policy

(1)

In general

A condition of this section is that a unified boxing organization shall implement and ensure 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 covered match; and(B)sharing nonpublic information with a third party that is material to the performance of a boxer participating in the covered match or the outcome of the match for the purpose of assisting the third party in placing a bet or wager on the covered match.(2)

Compliance

A unified boxing organization shall implement and ensure compliance with procedures for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the boxing conduct policy implemented under paragraph (1) and enforce any suspension or other penalty imposed by a State, territorial, or tribal boxing commission.(h)

Firewall between unified boxing organizations and managers

A condition of this section is that a unified boxing organization shall implement prohibitions against officers or employees of the unified boxing organization, or any representative of the unified boxing organization, who do any of the following:(1)Have 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)Employ, or make a payment to, a manager who represents a boxer who participates in a covered match, except—(A)in the case of a boxer who acts as the boxer’s own manager; or(B)for any consideration paid by the unified boxing organization to the manager under the contract between the manager and the boxer.(3)Receive or request from a boxer a payment related to the ranking of the boxer or the participation of the boxer in a covered match—(A)including—(i)charging a boxer for participation in a covered match in which the boxer will be challenging a champion or defending a championship; and(ii)any portion of an award won by the boxer; and(B)excluding reimbursement paid by the boxer to a unified boxing organization for reasonable expenses incurred by the unified boxing organization 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, unless compliant with section 4—(A)in a State without a boxing commission; or(B)within a reservation under the jurisdiction of a tribal organization that does not meet the requirements of section 21.(2)

Judges and referees

A condition of this section is that a unified boxing organization shall meet the requirements of section 16.(j)

Financial responsibility

(1)

In general

Subject to paragraph (2), a condition of this section is that a unified boxing organization shall be 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 unified boxing organization for a boxer shall be the financial responsibility of the boxer.(k)

Disclosure requirements

(1)

Compliance with current State athletic commission disclosure requirements

A condition of this section is that for each covered match, a unified boxing organization shall comply with all disclosure requirements that the boxing commission of the State in which the covered match is held or the tribal organization responsible for regulating the covered match has required of promoters.(2)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt or limit the authority of any boxing commission of a State or territory, or any tribal organization, to establish or enforce disclosure requirements.(l)

Federal Trade Commission filing

(1)

In general

A condition of this section is that, on the date on which a unified boxing organization intends to claim status as a unified boxing organization for purposes of this section, the unified boxing organization shall submit to the Federal Trade Commission and to the Association of Boxing Commissions information regarding the unified boxing organization, including the following:(A)The State in which the unified boxing organization is incorporated.(B)The business address of the unified boxing organization.(C)The website of the unified boxing organization.(2)

Information regarding ratings

For any unified boxing organization that implements a system for boxer ratings that such organization controls, manages, or operates, a condition of this section is that the unified boxing organization shall, not later than January 31 of each year, submit to the Federal Trade Commission and the Association of Boxing Commissions—(A)a complete description of the ratings criteria and policies of the organization;(B)the bylaws of the organization;(C)the appeals procedure of the organization for a boxer’s rating, if applicable; and(D)a list and business address of the officials of the organization who vote on the ratings of boxers, if applicable.(3)

Format; updates

To meet the condition of this subsection, the unified boxing organization shall—(A)provide the information described in paragraph (1) and (2)—(i)in writing; and(ii)for any document greater than 2 pages in length, in electronic form; and(B)promptly notify the Federal Trade Commission of any material change in the information submitted.(4)

Availability of information

The Federal Trade Commission—(A)shall make information received under this subsection available to the public; and(B)may assess the unified boxing organization a fee to offset the costs the Commission incurs in processing the information and in making the information available to the public.(5)

Internet alternative

In lieu of submitting the information described in paragraph (1) or (2) to the Federal Trade Commission, a unified boxing organization may provide the information to the public by maintaining an internet website that—(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 in a format that is easy to search and use; and(D)is updated when there is a material change in the information.(m)

Relationship with State law

Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit a State from adopting or enforcing—(1)supplemental laws or regulations not inconsistent with this section; or(2)criminal, civil, or administrative fines for violations of such laws or regulations.(n)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Covered individual

The term covered individual, with respect to a boxer who participates in a covered match, means 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 unified boxing organization concerned.(E)An agent of any such person who is directly involved with or participates in a covered match.(2)

Covered match

The term covered match means a professional boxing match organized by a unified boxing organization.(3)

First professional promotional agreement

The term first professional promotional agreement means the initial contract entered into between a boxer and a unified boxing organization, if the boxer has not previously been a party to any promotional agreement with any promoter or unified boxing organization in connection with participation in a professional boxing match.(4)

Reservation; tribal organization

The terms reservation and tribal organization have the meanings given those terms in section 21.

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 examinationsValidityComplete physical examination, including blood work1 year Dilated eye examination1 yearHeart examinations (Electrocardiogram, and for a boxer age 40 or older, a stress test)1 yearAntibody tests (Negative Human Immunodeficiency Virus antibody, Hepatitis B antigen, and Hepatitis C antibody)6 monthsBrain health examinations (For a boxer age 40 or older, a magnetic resonance image (MRI) 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)1 yearIn the case of a female fighter, a pregnancy test14 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 the enactment of the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026, shall have a certification obtained through a State boxing commission, medical board, or a certification program administered by the Association of Boxing Commissions in partnership with the Association of Ringside 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.

; and

(4)by adding at the end 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.

(b)

Review

Section 7(a) of the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. 6306(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(5)Procedures to ensure that—(A)drug tests are administered—(i)for any title match; and(ii)at random for all other matches; and(B)such drug tests 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.

(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:

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)

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.