Nick Khan and Oscar De La Hoya were amongst several key figures who appeared before the U.S. Senate to debate the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, a bill that might reshape how boxing is regulated within the country. The hearing was led by Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, with Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada also present, alongside Florida Athletic Commission executive director Timothy Shipman and Muhammad Ali’s grandson, boxer Nico Ali Walsh.
De La Hoya, head of Golden Boy Promotions, strongly opposed the bill in its current form, saying that it takes boxing within the “flawed direction.” He argued that while the Ali Act addresses real problems like conflicts of interest and lack of transparency, the proposed changes wouldn’t fix them and would as an alternative hurt promoters like him while leaving a possible unified boxing body untouched, comparing the model to the UFC and referencing the $375 million settlement involving UFC, TKO, and fighters.
Walsh warned that the bill would give an excessive amount of power to a single entity and limit fighters’ freedom, noting that UFC fighters earn under 20% of company revenue while boxers can receive as much as 80%. He said the act, as written, would betray the principles of his grandfather’s original law and highlighted that fighters mustn’t have to choose from careers and rights.
Khan spoke in favor of the bill’s goals, explaining boxing’s deep roots in American culture and the necessity for clearer champions and structure. He highlighted modern promotion strategies, including the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight and added revenue streams equivalent to merchandise, trading cards, and video games, pitching this model as a greater platform for young fighters through major partners like Paramount and CBS.
Cruz ended the hearing by saying he’ll introduce a Senate version of the Ali Act and is open to bipartisan changes.