House Passes Rep. Stevens’ Bill to Strengthen Boxer Safety, Pay, and Integrity in Professional Boxing

March 24, 2026 Press Release Washington, D.C. — Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens released the following statement after the House passed the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act , legislation she cosponsored to modernize federal oversight of professional boxing and enhance protections for athletes: “Today, the House took an important step to protect professional boxers and strengthen the integrity of the sport,” said Rep. Stevens. “Fighters deserve a system that prioritizes their health, ensures fair pay, and holds promoters and organizations accountable. We are making the sport safer, more transparent, and more equitable for the athletes who dedicate their lives to it.” The legislation authorizes the establishment of private-sector Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs), creating a new framework for organizing professional matches while maintaining strong regulatory oversight. UBOs will operate alongside existing sanctioning bodies and must comply with state boxing commission authority. The bill includes critical new safeguards and pay standards, requiring UBOs to: Implement comprehensive anti-doping programs with pre-match drug testing, Establish a minimum payment-per-round of $200 for boxers, Increase the number of ringside physicians and ambulances, and Engage in good-faith contract negotiations that empower boxers to make decisions in their best interest. Stevens cosponsored the legislation, helped secure an amendment protecting boxers from coercive contracts, and voted to advance it in the House Education and Workforce Committee in January. Back in December, Stevens met with Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali’s widow, who has long been an advocate for minimum pay and health care standards for professional boxers. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration. ###