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The Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
What is the Muhammad Ali Revival Act and how will it affect boxing and fighters?
On Wednesday evening, the boxing world became gripped by conversations about a new bill that could change the sport and the way fighters are paid. Purportedly for the better. Potentially for the worse. The bill, named the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, was introduced to the US Congress by Representatives Brian Jack and Sharice Davids, with the intention of altering federal regulations around the sport. It is a bill that has been backed by TKO, the UFC ownership group that is crossing into boxing, with UFC president Dana White co-promoting September's seismic Canelo vs Crawford fight in tandem with Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh. The name of the bill comes from the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000 (widely referred to as the 'Ali Act'). The key aims of that act were: '(1) to protect the rights and welfare of professional boxers on an interstate basis, by preventing certain exploitative, oppressive, and unethical business practices; (2) to assist State boxing commissions in their efforts to provide more effective public oversight of the sport; and (3) to promote honorable competition in professional boxing and enhance the overall integrity of the industry.' Just as the Ali Act sought to amend the 1996 Professional Boxing Safety Act, so does the Revival Act. On the face of it, the intentions of both acts are noble, so why were there qualms with the former, and why has the latter proven so controversial? Why is the Revival Act controversial, and what criticisms did the original Ali Act face? Well, at the time of the Ali Act's introduction, some questioned what right Congress had to regulate boxing, given it regulates no other sports. There was also the criticism that the Act had laid out a series of rules for Congress to enforce, but without clear methods of how to enforce them. But to a more pertinent point: on Wednesday evening (23 July), there were altogether different criticisms being aimed at the Revival Act, the main one being that it could see UFC's widely derided style of fighter pay cross into boxing, harming the earning ability of athletes while claiming to do the opposite. Why does the UFC receive criticism over fighter pay? The UFC recently settled an antitrust lawsuit, which claimed the mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion suppressed fighters' ability to negotiate; it was suggested that the UFC had essentially forged a monopoly in MMA. In October, the UFC agreed to pay $380m to a group of former fighters who had competed under its banner between 2010 and 2017, with approximately 1,100 deemed as affected and 97 per cent of them applying to receive funds. The fighters in question received compensation payments between $100,000 and $1m, according to the firm that handled the lawsuit. In general, average fighter pay in the UFC is believed to be much lower than in boxing, though UFC president White has continuously insisted that the media does not know the real numbers. The Independent understands that many fighters enter the promotion on a contract where they earn $12,000 to fight and another $12,000 if they win – with those figures increasing after three bouts, and with $50,000 bonuses available (Fight of the Night, Performance of the Night). The UFC antitrust lawsuit also confirmed numerous reports that, in 2010, the UFC took home approximately 80 per cent of its overall earnings, with fighters left with less than 20 per cent. In comparison, basketball's NBA and its players received around 50 per cent each at the time, and they still do. Currently, players in the WNBA (Women's NBA) are pushing the league for a similar pay system. But how does the UFC's track record on fighter pay relate to the Revival Act, beyond the fact that its parent company (as of 2023) is backing the new bill? What specific changes does the Revival Act seek to make? The Revival Act seeks to allow the creation of Unified Boxing Organisations (UBOs), which would serve as alternatives to boxing's current sanctioning bodies: chiefly the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organization, International Boxing Federation, and International Boxing Organization. Just as those bodies have their own champions, so would UBOs. One UBO would be Zuffa Boxing, likely overseen by UFC president White and Saudi adviser Alalshikh. The UBOs would also pay a minimum national compensation of $150 per round for professional boxers, a figure that might be seen as substantial by very low-level boxers but pitiful by anyone else. The new system would also bid to improve the minimum health insurance available to boxers and access to anti-doping programmes – which can be costly for promoters. As it stands, the minimums in those aspects are controlled by individual states in the US. Many undercard boxers compete in six-round fights, meaning – if they went the distance – they would be expected to earn $900 under the new system. That is understood to be less than a boxer would earn on most shows now, and the sum would struggle to cover the costs of coaching, sparring partners, travel and/or accommodation. These are expenses that fighters are often expected to pay during camp. So, what now? It is worth stressing that this act has not yet been passed. It is likely to be referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the same House that received the 1996 and 2000 acts, with a vote in the House of Representatives being the next step. Thereafter, it would be sent to the US Senate.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Full List of Republicans Who Voted to Subpoena Epstein Files from DOJ
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Republican Representatives Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Brian Jack of Georgia and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania sided with Democrats as a House subcommittee voted Wednesday to subpoena the Department of Justice for records related to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
TKO-Backed Muhammad Ali Bill Aims to Shake Up Boxing World
U.S. Reps. Brian Jack (R-Ga.) and Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) on Wednesday introduced the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, a bill that would create alternative systems for boxers to seek guaranteed pay and obtain enhanced safety protections. The bill would establish what are described as 'alternative professional systems' for boxers. Central to this arrangement are 'Unified Boxing Organizations' (UBOs), a name for organizations intended to offer boxers new ways to pursue their profession. More from Offsides: The Two House Dems Who Make GOP's SCORE Act 'Bipartisan' 'WTF Is Happening': Gambling Reacts to Proposed Trump Tax Changes Jim Lampley's TV Boxing Journey May Never Be Repeated The bill follows advocacy efforts by TKO, the parent company of UFC and WWE, to stimulate interest in Congress for creating more and better professional opportunities for boxers in the U.S. As Sportico reported in March, TKO has joined hands with Sela, an entertainment subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and Turki Alalshikh, the chair of the kingdom's entertainment authority, to launch a new boxing promotion. The bill would add to the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996, a federal statute that was amended in 2000 through the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. This law set minimum nationwide safety standards and offered other benefits to pro boxers, such as requirements for medical personnel attending events. However, inconsistent enforcement mechanisms, ambiguities in the statutory language and other limitations have attracted the interest of reformers. 'When you look at boxing as a whole,' Jack said in a phone interview, the sport in America is 'dying.' He referenced HBO and Showtime dropping their boxing coverage in recent years, declines in pay-per-view buys of boxing events, and other developments that suggest boxing is struggling to maintain its footing with fans. Jack, who served as White House Political Director during President Donald Trump's first term and is one of five freshmen members of the House to chair a subcommittee, said professional boxing 'is the only pro sport that is regulated by Congress.' As a result, he said Congress has a particularly important role in shaping the sport and 'reviving' it. Jack and Davids, who is an attorney and former professional MMA fighter, have said these UBOs would supplement—not replace—current sanctioning organizations and run parallel to them. To that end, the World Boxing Council, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Organization and the International Boxing Federation would continue to oversee and schedule events as the major organizations for sanctioning pro boxing. UBOs would operate independently of those organizations and their events would be regulated by state athletic associations. The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC)—which consists of state, provincial and tribal athletic commissions—endorses the bill. In a statement, ABC president Michael Mazzulli said his association's board of directors offers 'unanimous support' for the bill. He added that the bill will 'mitigate the exploitation of the debut fighter.' If it passes the House and Senate and is signed into law by Trump, the bill would increase the number of events for boxers and guarantee them $150 per round. While $150 might sound modest, some states guarantee lower amounts. In Pennsylvania, for example, a state statute expresses that, 'no purse less than $50 shall be paid by the promoter to any professional boxer for any contest or exhibition other than a training exhibition.' Other states, including Connecticut, Michigan and Alabama, use $100, while most states have no minimum at all. In his statement, Mazzulli drew attention to the value of a 'national minimum payment per round' standard. Insurance coverage is also part of the bill. Boxers would have a first-time national minimum of $25,000 of coverage for injuries sustained during a bout. That dollar figure is, according to the bill's sponsors, higher than the current minimum for boxers in 43 states. In addition to minimum pay and insurance benefits, the bill would provide for annual medical exams and enhanced testing, including MRIs. Meanwhile, higher minimums for the number of licensed physicians and ambulance units present at events would ensure boxers have immediate access to care. UBOs are intended mainly for new and developing boxers. More seasoned and well-known boxers, including those paid millions of dollars in fight purses, are less likely to be attracted to a new model. The bill would not force them to change their situation as they could continue to fight as they had been doing. Lonnie Ali, the widow of the late Muhammad Ali and co-founder of the Muhammad Ali Center, endorsed the bill in a statement. She said that boxing provided a 'pathway' for her late husband 'to become a global sports and cultural icon.' She also said that if he were alive today, he would be 'proud to have his name associated with this bill' since it calls for 'opportunities for other athletes to pursue their goals and dreams, just like he did.' Davids, who was first elected to Congress in 2018, said that as a former MMA fighter, she knows 'firsthand the physical and financial risks that come with stepping into the ring' and views the bill as ensuring boxers are 'treated fairly and safely.' TKO offered a statement to Sportico saying the organization reflects a 'bipartisan effort to bring innovation to the sport of boxing for the first time in 25 years' and that the organization supports 'the effort to restore boxing to its rightful place of prominence in America.' As the parent company of UFC, TKO has seen, first-hand, demands for greater athlete compensation. Last year, UFC and UFC fighters reached a $375 million settlement to resolve antitrust allegations brought in Cung Le et al. v. Zuffa. The plaintiffs accused UFC of suppressing economic competition, an allegation UFC disputed and a topic that remains at issue in another case, Kajan Johnson et al. v. Zuffa. As for the political prospects of the bill at a time when Republicans and Democrats are sharply divided, Jack mentioned the 1996 Act and the 2000 amendment passed both houses of Congress by unanimous consent. He's hoping his and Davids' bill has a similarly favorable trajectory. Best of College Athletes as Employees: Answering 25 Key Questions
The National
15-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Scottish firm to use £3m grant to develop battery storage alternative
East Kilbride-based Innovatium will use the grant to accelerate work on its alternative to lithium-ion batteries for the storage of renewable energy. The PRISMA Advanced Liquid Air Energy Storage system has been designed to use off-peak electricity to cool and liquefy compressed air – and then convert that liquid energy back into compressed air to generate power when needed. The company says the system 'aims to resolve the intermittency and fluctuating supply issues seen in renewable energy generation' and hopes to create 30 jobs in Scotland over the next four years. READ MORE: 36,000 new mortgages for first-time buyers: What it means for you Hitachi Industrial Equipment Solutions (HIES) has also invested, making it's first investment in a Scottish company., and will open international opportunities for the firm. Brian Jack, CEO of Innovatium Group, said: 'We've entered a new and very exciting growth phase for us which includes immediate plans to expand our team, advance PRISMA technology, and build additional depth within the business to meet rising demand from customers. 'This investment gives us the platform to scale-up significantly and we can now offer a much broader portfolio of solutions, creating new value for our customers in the UK and globally. We have never been better placed to deliver solutions to support the energy transition.' Ailsa Young, investment director, Scottish National Investment Bank said: 'Innovatium's novel, patented technology is highly scalable and has the potential to significantly reduce industrial carbon emissions across a range of energy-intensive industries, including data centres where the rapid acceleration of AI has caused environmental concern. 'As an impact investor, we were attracted to Innovatium's potential to be a driver of Scotland's net-zero economy, and we are pleased to be investing alongside Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems, which will also be supporting the commercial rollout of PRISMA.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP Rep Hilariously Struggles To Explain Trump's Orange Complexion To High Schoolers
It turns out, kids still ask the darndest questions — and that tradition held strong during a recent high school field trip to the nation's Capitol. For many schools, a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., is a time-honored rite of passage. Such was the case for an unnamed institution whose students, in a clip posted Monday on X, formerly Twitter, participated in a Q&A session hosted by Georgia GOP Rep. Brian Jack. Then came that question — the one that's quietly echoed in the minds of many Americans for years: 'Why is [Trump] so orange?' one high schooler asked. Jack, momentarily caught off guard by the question posed, stammered before mustering up a response. 'Uh, that's, you know what, it's, it's, it's your perspective,' he responded. 'It isn't certainly mine. I just think he has a great tan.' Was this a masterclass in democracy? Probably not. But an unfiltered moment of truth-telling from America's youth? Absolutely. Users on the platform were quick to crown the students as the heroes they didn't realize they needed. 'Get these kids in the WH press room,' one wrote. Another chimed in: 'It takes a high schooler to call out the GOP for their bizarro acceptance of a president in clown makeup. Bravo!' In 2019, a senior Trump administration official told The New York Times that Trump's hue can be attributed to 'good genes.' The official, who remained anonymous, also claimed that the look came from powder, not bronzer. In her 2018 memoir, 'Unhinged,' former White House aide Omarosa Manigault Newman revealed that Trump relies on the daily use of a tanning bed. Chuck Schumer Blocks Trump Nominees Over Qatar Plane Gift Trump Stuns With Bold Confession About New Top Nominee Donald Trump Makes Outrageous 'World Class' Claim Over Qatar Jet 'Gift'
