California commission forms subcommittee to study federal 'Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act' after wide public comment

The California State Athletic Commission on Sept. 8 voted to create a two-commissioner subcommittee to study federal legislation known as the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act (H.R. 4624) and return recommendations at the commission's December meeting.

Executive Officer Andy Foster told commissioners the bill would create a new licensed “unified boxing organization” (UBO) pathway and add federal medical, anti-doping, insurance and minimum-pay requirements. Foster said the UBO sections would require more frequent and broader medical screening for fighters signed to a UBO (including annual physicals, eye and blood testing and MRIs every three years for certain fighters), minimum event insurance of $25,000 for injuries, an anti-doping program administered by an independent third party, and minimum pay language (the draft bill sets a minimum of $150 per round). Foster said many of the new costs in the bill would be the responsibility of the UBO rather than the athlete.

Why it matters: commissioners said the proposal…