Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill creates new safety rules to protect fighters from brain injuries and health risks. Boxers who get knocked out must pass brain health tests before fighting again. Fighters over age 40 will need extra medical checks, including chest X-rays and blood tests, to make sure they are healthy enough to compete.
• Fighters would get better medical care at events and during training. Every match would be required to have at least two ambulances and two certified doctors at ringside. Boxers would also get insurance that covers injuries they get while training for a fight, not just the injuries that happen during the match itself.
• The plan sets a minimum pay rate of $200 for every round a boxer is scheduled to fight. It also requires leagues to offer fighters at least one match every six months. If a league cannot provide a fight, they must pay the boxer a set amount of money to help them cover their living costs.
• New rules would limit how long a boxer can be stuck in a contract. Most contracts could not last longer than six years, and a fighter's first professional contract would be limited to three years. Boxers would also be allowed to talk to other promoters 90 days before their current deal ends.
• To keep the sport fair, the bill bans boxers, coaches, and team staff from betting on their own matches. It also stops leagues from managing their own fighters. This prevents a conflict of interest where a league might favor certain athletes because they have a financial stake in their career.

Impact Analysis

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