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De La Hoya and Ali's grandson slam proposed federal boxing reform
TL;DR
Oscar De La Hoya and Nico Ali Walsh criticized proposed federal boxing reforms during a Senate hearing, claiming they favor corporate interests over fighters. The changes to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act would enable Unified Boxing Organizations to operate as both governing bodies and promoters.
Key points
- Oscar De La Hoya and Nico Ali Walsh testified against boxing reforms
- Proposed changes prioritize corporate profits over fighters
- Reforms allow creation of Unified Boxing Organizations
Mentioned in this story
Oscar De La HoyaNico Ali WalshMuhammad AliSenate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act
Oscar De La Hoya and Nico Ali Walsh were among the witnesses who testified during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing to examine federal boxing laws (SAUL LOEB)
(SAUL LOEB/AFP/AFP)
Oscar De La Hoya and Muhammad Ali's grandson on Wednesday slammed proposed changes to federal boxing laws, warning a US Senate committee that the reforms would prioritize corporate profits and Saudi investors over fighters.
Approved last month by the House of Representatives, changes to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act would allow the creation of Unified Boxing Organizations, or UBOs, in which a single entity can serve as governing body and promoter.
Supporters say the reforms simplify and streamline a fragmented and confusing sport that has lost ground in recent years to mixed martial arts, which operates under booming centralized leagues like Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Witnesses at a Senate hearing accused boxing's multiple sanctioning bodies of corruption or extortion, pointing to fighters who have had title belts stripped over financial disputes, and said a unified code would boost in-ring safety.
But the changes -- which Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation chair Ted Cruz said he expects to introduce to the Senate "soon" -- were fiercely opposed by other witnesses, including former boxing great De La Hoya.
"This is a fundamental shift in power that if changed would put corporate profits first, fighters second," said De La Hoya, who now owns Golden Boy Promotions.
The Olympic boxing gold medalist turned professional world champion said the reforms "align directly" with Zuffa Boxing, a recently launched Saudi-owned boxing promoter that is a joint venture with UFC's parent company TKO Group Holdings.
"Zuffa Boxing is fully funded by Saudi Arabia. We've already seen how that kind of funding reshaped another sport through LIV Golf," said De La Hoya.
"We should be honest about what is happening here. That was sportswashing, a clear effort to use sports to reshape reputations."
Q&A
What did Oscar De La Hoya say about the proposed boxing reforms?
Oscar De La Hoya criticized the proposed boxing reforms, stating they would prioritize corporate profits over the welfare of fighters.
What are Unified Boxing Organizations and how do they relate to the reforms?
Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs) would allow a single entity to act as both the governing body and promoter in boxing, as proposed in the recent reforms to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.
Who else testified against the boxing law changes besides De La Hoya?
Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, also testified against the proposed changes to federal boxing laws during the Senate hearing.
