[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 98 (Thursday, June 15, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 INTRODUCTION OF THE ``BOXING SAFETY, RETIREMENT, AND RETRAINING ACT OF 
                                 1995''

                                 ______


                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 1995
  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Boxing Safety, 
Retirement, and Retraining Act of 1995. This bill would create a 
Government corporation that would oversee the boxing industry, ensure 
that healthy working conditions exist, and eliminate the widespread 
corruption and exploitation that runs rampant within the sport. The 
bill places special emphasis on assuring the health and safety of 
boxers.
  Boxers are never privileged individuals. They primarily are 
minorities from disadvantaged areas, easily susceptible to the 
unscrupulous business practices of boxing promoters. Traditionally, 
minority youth have viewed a boxing career as a way to leave behind a 
life of poverty and gain wealth and stability for themselves and their 
families.
  Often these men have no other hope. They are poorly educated and face 
an inhospitable job market. Boxing promoters exploit the dreams of 
young boxers by promising lucrative careers. Once boxers enter the 
business, they surrender all control over their careers. They are used 
like property for the financial gain of others.
  The industry is controlled by a few organizations, manipulated like 
puppets by a small number of immensely powerful promoters. In this 
equation, the boxer is powerless. He must play by their rules or not 
play at all. If he complains, he is not allowed to fight. If he speaks 
publicly about negative conditions, he faces banishment and an end to 
his financial support. If he wants to fight in title matches, he must 
sign contracts rife with clauses that direct money to the promoter's 
family and friends. This situation becomes especially problematic when 
the boxer has little education, might not speak English, and has no 
other financial resources.
  The boxing industry might say that it is being unfairly singled out 
because the Government does not directly regulate any other 
professional sport. But the reason we do not directly regulate other 
sports is because we do not need to; they have proven over time that 
they can manage their own affairs. Through players' unions, most 
professional athletes have recourse against unfavorable working 
conditions. Golfers, bowlers, and baseball, football, and basketball 
players, all have an avenue that prevents them from being exploited. 
Boxers have none.
  This bill is not the first attempt by Congress to get involved in an 
industry that cannot monitor itself. When working conditions became 
intolerable, the Federal Government stepped in and formed the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA]. When financial 
transactions became suspect, the Securities and Exchange Commission 
[SEC] was created. When some States proved to be irresponsible on civil 
rights issues, the Federal Government initiated the U.S. Commission on 
Civil Rights. The boxing industry has had over 100 years to get its act 
together, and it has failed. It is time for Congress to get involved.
  Only a handful of States conduct oversight over boxing, and only a 
few of those do it effectively. Too often, State agencies have been co-
opted by those with a financial interest in the sport. My bill would 
create an unbiased board whose members would be unable to reap monetary 
reward from the industry while serving. The board would be comprised of 
neurological specialists, average citizens, and a representative from 
the boxing world. The board's members would be given the responsibility 
of establishing minimum standards to which States must adhere. States 
with effective agencies would be able to maintain autonomy, but states 
with little or no oversight would be forced to improve.
  Without this bill, the unconscionable practices of this sport will 
continue. Oversight responsibility will continue to be left to those 
individuals who have proven that greed is their motivating force. 
Unsuspecting minority youth will still be exploited. Boxers will never 
be able to voice objections to working conditions. And an elite group 
of promoters will keep becoming very, very rich.
  I am in no way asking for a ban of the sport, just some oversight. 
Amateur boxing programs in neighborhoods have been successful in 
getting young people off the street and giving them confidence. It is 
the professional arena where the problems lie. For the sake of the 
young men involved and fostering the integrity of the sport, I urge my 
colleagues to pass this legislation.


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