[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E828-E829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     MUHAMMAD ALI BOXING REFORM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TOM BLILEY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 22, 2000

  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1832, the Muhammad 
Ali Boxing Reform Act, by my good colleague and friend Mr. Oxley from 
Ohio.
  Last year, the Commerce Committee received a letter signed by 19 
bipartisan U.S. State Attorneys General asking that this legislation be 
enacted. The Attorneys General wrote that ``this legislation will curb 
anti-competitive and fraudulent business practices and prevent blatant 
exploitation of professional boxers.''
  The International Boxing Digest stated ``We support the new [boxing] 
bill, and urge all honest people in professional boxing to do likewise. 
Fighters need to be protected, and not

[[Page E829]]

simply from what happens in the ring. This bill does it like it's never 
done before.'' Ring Magazine said ``Imagine a world in which fighters 
are not taken advantage of financially, title shots are awarded to 
legitimate contenders, and bogus alphabet organizations slowly fade 
from existence. If the Ali Act passes . . . that boxing heaven may just 
be located right here on earth.''
  H.R. 1832 would stop promoters from taking long term advantage of 
boxers. It prohibits coercive contracts, and limits acceptable 
conflicts of interests. H.R. 1832 also cleans up boxing's sanctioning 
bodies. All boxing ranking must be done based on objective and 
consistent written and published criteria, and sanctioning body 
employees are prohibited from receiving bribes from boxers and 
promoters. Under the philosophy that sunlight is the best disinfectant 
for corruption, promoters, sanctioning bodies, and boxing judges and 
referees are all required to disclose their sources of benefits and 
compensation to prevent any backroom underhanded dealing.
  Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali agreed to lend his name to 
this bill because he believes that boxers need to be protected from the 
``dishonest ways'' of some promoters and managers. Boxing News wrote 
that ``Pure, unvarnished greed is killing the game . . . Boxing 
desperately needs [a Federal] law . . . to cut down on the terrible 
corruption.'' H.R. 1832 by Congressman Oxley cuts down on the 
corruption and brings honesty and fair and open dealing back to the 
sport of boxing.
  I urge your support for this legislation.

                          ____________________