119-HR-4624 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary — 119-HR-4624, the “Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act”

Headline Summary: The bill creates an optional "Unified Boxing Organization" (UBO) model with tougher medical, anti-doping, and integrity rules, and it boosts baseline pay and insurance for professional boxers.

What It Does: The bill amends the Professional Boxing Safety Act to recognize UBOs—league-style bodies that run their own titles and rankings—so long as they meet strict conditions. Those include regular medical screenings (annual physicals and bloodwork; pregnancy tests within 14 days for women; brain MRI/MRA at least every 3 years and more often after knockouts; extra testing for fighters 40+), enhanced ringside care (minimum three additional doctors and two additional ambulances, totaling at least four doctors and three ambulances on-site), independent anti-doping with in-competition testing for at least half of fighters per event, betting and conflict-of-interest bans, and public filings with the FTC. Separately, the bill raises industry-wide minimums: at least $25,000 in medical coverage per bout (at no premium cost to the boxer) and at least $150 per round in pay.

• Sponsors: Rep. Jack and Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS). Supporters frame the bill as modernizing a fragmented sport and centering fighter safety and integrity.
• Bipartisan committee backing: On January 21, 2026, a House committee voted 30–4 to advance the bill, suggesting cross-party interest in clearer rules and stronger protections.
• Athlete-safety advocates and many fighters likely favor provisions on imaging, on-site medical staff, training/rehab access, and insurance during training for UBO fighters.
• Fans who want clearer championships may welcome a league-style option with unified rules and public anti-doping lists.

• Independent sanctioning bodies and some promoters may resist the UBO option because it reduces reliance on traditional sanctioning fees and adds conflict-of-interest limits and transparency requirements.
• Smaller promoters could object to higher fixed costs (doctors, ambulances, imaging) and paperwork (FTC/ABC reporting), warning about fewer shows or lower undercard opportunities.
• Civil-liberties and privacy advocates may question mandatory pregnancy testing and expanded medical data collection.
• Some anti-doping critics may argue the "test at least half of fighters" rule is either too intrusive (random, no-notice testing) or not stringent enough (not 100% coverage).

What’s Next: As of January 21, 2026, the bill was ordered reported (amended) after a committee markup. The next step is consideration by the full House. If it passes, it goes to the Senate; any differences would be reconciled before a final bill goes to the President.