Ranking Member Scott Supports Boxing Bill, Encourages Senate to Continue Bipartisan Negotiations

Ranking Member Scott Supports Boxing Bill, Encourages Senate to Continue Bipartisan Negotiations

WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, House Committee on Education and Workforce, spoke in support of H.R. 4624, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.

Watch Ranking Member Scott's remarks on YouTube.

"Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4624, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.

"This bill amends the federal law governing safety, transparency, and integrity in professional boxing, the only professional sport that is federally regulated. The original law regulating boxing was enacted to end corrupt promoters' ability to corner the market by locking up top talent and requiring any would-be challengers to surrender their promotional rights or agree to new representation chosen by the promoter. Some particularly powerful promoters allegedly even threatened or bribed sanctioning organizations to manipulate their rankings.

"Thanks to current law, those days are over. As a result of that law, boxers at the top of the sport take home approximately 80 percent of the revenue associated with a match.

"The bill we are voting on today is the result of bipartisan work that went into improving it. Specifically, Chairman Walberg (MI-05), Workforce Protection Subcommittee Ranking Member Omar (MN-05), Representative Stevens (MI-11), and I came together, identified key issues, and made meaningful fixes to strengthen the legislation. These changes were significant, and the bill we're considering is much better than the version that was introduced.

"For example, we improved health and safety protections for fighters, particularly when it comes to brain health, which is an important priority, by adding additional neurological testing. The bill now ensures that qualified ringside physicians are available, strengthens emergency preparedness by requiring on-site medical personnel, and expands pre-bout medical testing.

"We also enhanced boxers' economic security. We increased minimum insurance coverage for injuries, added accidental death coverage, and raised the minimum compensation per round.

"We also took steps to protect the integrity of the sport. The bill now incorporates consistent anti-doping standards, increases drug testing, and begins to address the problem of too many championship titles diluting competition.

"And we added protections for fighters under contract by limiting contract length, ensuring opportunities to compete or be compensated, and giving boxers a fair chance to pursue other opportunities.

"These practical, bipartisan improvements are a significant win for boxers' health and well-being, as well as their economic futures.

As this bill moves forward in the legislative process, the Senate can and should build on the progress we've made in the House and continue to improve this legislation before it becomes law.

"For instance, the Senate could ensure the enforceability of Boxing Act rights by prohibiting any contract between a boxer and a [Unified Boxing Organization] or boxing service provider from including clauses that bar class action proceedings or mandate bringing disputes to private arbitration.

"I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record 'additional views' accompanying the committee report on the bill. Such views detail other areas where the bill should be strengthened.

"Meanwhile, I support the bill and thank the co-authors, Representatives Sharice Davids of Kansas and Brian Jack of Georgia, for their work on this legislation.

"I reserve the balance of my time."

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