5 Reasons Why Boxing Cannot Allow US to Modify the Ali Act

TKO, the owner of the UFC and WWE, is starting its own Saudi-backed boxing league. Before doing so, it wants to dismantle the sport's most essential protections.

Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion, made over $132 million for his July 19 title defence against Daniel Dubois.

Compare this to MMA. Jon Jones, the UFC heavyweight champion until his retirement in June, was paid $6.2 million for his last title bout against Stipe Miocic.

This staggering gap isn’t just down to pay-per-view sales or star power. The Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, or Ali Act, was passed in 2000 to stop promoters from controlling titles, rankings, and fighter contracts in boxing the way the UFC does in MMA. It ensures boxers can negotiate freely, shop around for the best deal, and crucially that promoters can’t rig the system in their own financial interest.

This is now under threat. TKO Group, the owners of the UFC and pro wrestling’s WWE, is lobbying to change the law. Flush with Saudi funding and poised to launch its own boxing promotion later this year, TKO wants to bring the UFC model to boxing. It is lobbying Congress to modify the Ali Act and …