California Commission Backs Dana White’s ‘American Boxing Revival’ and Expanded Muhammad Ali Act

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The California State Athletic Commission voted unanimously, 6–0, last Wednesday to express its full support for the American Boxing Revival and the Muhammad Ali Act, affirming its endorsement of Dana White’s proposal to turn the initiative into law.

The bill was introduced in Congress by Representatives Brian Jack (Republican, Georgia) and Sharice Davids (Democrat, Kansas). While the measure does not amend the existing Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, it aims to enable UFC-style boxing promotion under a new framework called the United Boxing Organizations (UBO) Act. The proposed law seeks to establish standardized wage protections, anti-doping measures, and other athlete safeguards.

The UBO would function as a governing body that develops and promotes boxing through its own rankings and championship system.

During the commission meeting, former UFC fighters voiced their opposition to the proposed legislation, while boxing promoters such as Tom Loeffler and Cory Rapacz expressed strong support for Dana White’s vision.

Curiously, no active professional boxers attended the hearing to either support or oppose the measure.

Industry analysts suggest that the initiative is driven by economic interests aiming to consolidate control over the sport, potentially restricting non-star fighters’ career options and aligning them with the offers of a new commercial boxing empire.

At the heart of this shift is Zuffa Boxing, a Saudi-backed mega-project under TKO Group Holdings (the parent company of UFC and WWE), which recently secured a television partnership with Paramount.

WWE President and TKO executive Nick Khan expressed his “deep gratitude” to the California State Athletic Commission for its endorsement of the proposed law.

Meanwhile, Dana White and his partners at Zuffa Boxing are ramping up their campaign to gain broader political support, seeking congressional consensus and, ultimately, final approval from President Donald Trump to make the American Boxing Revival Act law.