The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) unanimously endorsed the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act during a Wednesday meeting. The commission voted 6-0 in favor of the bill after a heated public discussion.
CSAC had delayed the vote following a September 8 meeting, where every speaker criticized the bill. Detractors warned that it could hand excessive power to Zuffa Boxing, the promotional group created in March by UFC CEO Dana White, WWE President Nick Khan, and Saudi Arabian investor Turki Alalshikh.
The TKO-backed bill, introduced in July by U.S. Reps. Brian Jack and Sharice Davids, would allow Zuffa to establish Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs). These bodies could oversee rankings, award UBO titles, and organize events — essentially allowing promoters to control both fights and titles, mirroring the UFC model.
Zuffa Boxing, which promoted Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford in September, plans a full entry into boxing in January under a five-year broadcast deal with Paramount. White intends to create a Zuffa Boxing championship belt that replaces the traditional WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF titles, but he requires the Ali Revival Act to pass first.
Subcommittee Accelerates Review and Recommends Approval
After delaying its support last month, CSAC created a two-member subcommittee to review the legislation and its criticisms. The subcommittee met four times in a month, speaking with key stakeholders, and later urged the full commission to support the act.
Commissioner Chris Gruwell introduced a motion to endorse the bill with an amendment adding cost-of-living adjustments to minimum purses and insurance requirements for fighters. The motion aimed to ensure athlete protections kept pace with inflation and economic changes.
After the motion, the floor opened for public comment. Nick Khan spoke first, defending the bill and criticizing boxing’s outdated structure.
“Boxing today is fragmented,” Khan said. “Promoters fail to grow media rights, sponsorship, or athlete pay like other sports.”
He argued that only Zuffa, Matchroom, and Golden Boy have significant TV deals, while others like Top Rank and Premier Boxing Champions have struggled to find consistent partners.
Fighters Condemn Vote Despite Majority Opposition
Public reaction remained divided. Of the 32 speakers, 12 supported the act while 20 opposed it. Among 13 former UFC fighters, 11 spoke against the legislation. Many accused the bill of undermining fighter rights established under the original Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000.
A 17-year-old amateur boxer, identified as Gabriel, called the bill “a slap in the face to Muhammad Ali and independent sanctioning bodies.”
“It feels like a joke,” he said. “How dare they use Ali’s name to weaken the Ali Act?”
Veteran UFC fighter Matt Brown, one of the most outspoken critics, blasted the commission.
“No one ever fought for us,” Brown said. “You’re supporting promoters who control rankings, titles, and contracts. This is beyond ridiculous.”
Despite the backlash, CSAC endorsed the act. Critics argued the UBO model would force fighters to sign restrictive contracts and eliminate financial transparency and independent rankings — protections guaranteed under the 2000 Ali Act.
That law requires promoters to disclose revenue details, such as TV rights and gate receipts, to ensure fair fighter pay. In contrast, UFC fighters rarely see such information, with most event profits going to the company rather than the athletes.
Opponents warned the new legislation could monopolize boxing under Zuffa’s control, stripping fighters of independence and reducing competition in the sport.
