[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S12333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page S12333]]



                     PROFESSIONAL BOXING SAFETY ACT

 Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, as the Senate comes to the close of 
this session, I want to express a few words on the passage of H.R. 
4167, The Professional Boxing Safety Act. I am extremely pleased that 
the 104th Congress will be the first in 35 years--since the days of the 
Kefauver Committee--to reform professional boxing. The bill has been 
sent to the President for his consideration.
  I thank my colleague, Senator Bryan, who represents the premier 
boxing State in our country, for his great help and counsel on this 
bipartisan legislation. In the House, Subcommittee Chairman Mike Oxley, 
Chairman Bliley of the Commerce Committee, Rep. Pat Williams, and Rep. 
John Dingell all played vital roles in getting this historic 
legislation passed in that body.
  I have been an avid fan of professional boxing all my life. I still 
go to several fights each year. Boxing can be a thrilling and honorable 
contest between highly skilled athletes. At its best, professional 
boxing for me and millions of other fans is the ``sweet science.''
  But professional boxing in our country is also a big money, often 
unregulated industry that has been aptly described as the ``red light 
district of sports.'' I regret it has earned that distinction through 
decades of controversy, scandals, and ethical abuses.
  Of primary importance for me has been the lack of proper health and 
safety measures for the unknown, journeymen boxers who sustain the 
sport. They may never make more than a few hundred dollars a night, and 
are subject to physical and financial exploitation from unscrupulous 
promoters. It is the only profession they know.
  As soon as they are of no use to a promoter, they are discarded. Left 
with the debilitating effects that result from years of punishment. No 
pension, no medical care, no assistance from any league or association 
in the industry.
  Other major sports have well-run private associations that provide 
benefits to their athletes, and address ethical abuses on behalf of the 
public. Boxing has none.
  With no private organization in this industry, and uneven public 
oversight at the State level, it is appropriate for the Congress to act 
on behalf of the athletes whose health and safety is often put at risk.

  In fact, five States have absolutely no public oversight of 
professional boxing. That can easily lead to dangerous or fraudulent 
situations.
  This bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4167, is closely based on the bill 
Senator Bryan and I passed through the Senate last October--S. 187. It 
is a modest but practical bill. It establishes a series of health, 
safety, and ethical standards for each professional boxing event in the 
United States.
  This act will greatly assist dedicated State boxing commissioners as 
they strive to responsibly regulate this industry. The Association of 
Boxing Commissions strongly endorsed S. 187, and I received letters 
from boxing officials from all over the United States in support of it.
  This is not a Washington-based, bureaucratic solution to the problems 
affecting boxing that are matters of public concern. I sought the views 
of State officials from each commission in the country before drafting 
this legislation.
  It is a common sense, limited proposal that puts the interest of the 
athletes above those of the promoters who would otherwise cut corners 
on safety. The primary effect of the bill will be to ensure that all 
boxing events are supervised by State officials. H.R. 4167 will ensure 
that a modest level of health and safety measures are provided.
  It will also assist State commissioners as they work with their 
colleagues in neighboring States to stop fraudulent or unsafe events. 
All medical suspensions placed on injured or debilitated boxers must be 
respected under this bill.
  A significant provision added in the House will prevent conflicts of 
interest in the industry. State commissioners who serve the public 
interest in regulating professional boxing will be prohibited from 
receiving compensation from the business side of the sport. That will 
help address the troublesome influence that the self-serving 
sanctioning bodies have gained over the years.
  Importantly, I'd like to emphasize what this bill does not do. It 
does not require appropriations; it does not create a Federal boxing 
bureaucracy or entity of any kind. And it does not impose costly 
mandates on State commissions.
  H.R. 4167, the Professional Boxing Safety Act, properly leaves 
regulation of the sport to State officials. But it will strengthen 
health and safety standards on behalf of the athletes, and require 
responsible oversight by these commissioners.
  I believe this legislation will make professional boxing a safer and 
more honorable sport. That's a solid achievement for industry members, 
State officials, and the fans who long for it to be as great a sport as 
it can be.

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