Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, has reached out to UFC founder Dana White concerning the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026. This bill, which revises a law from 2000, aims to allow new Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs) to sign fighters, promote fights, create rankings, and award titles under a unified system. The Congressional Budget Office indicates that the bill would enable UBOs to contract with boxers and manage matches and rankings.
Walsh expressed his concerns about the bill, stating, "My direct and respectful message to Dana White: We know what my grandfather's legacy means to this sport, and we both know that as this bill stands, it should not have his name on it." He invited White to discuss the implications of the Ali Act and fighter protections, emphasizing the importance of these issues for the sport.
The original Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act was enacted in 2000 to combat unfair practices in boxing and established a separation between promoters and managers. Walsh argues that the new bill could weaken this separation, allowing one organization to take on multiple roles that the original act sought to prevent.
The bipartisan bill has received support from both Republicans and Democrats and was referred to the Senate Commerce Committee on March 25. Promoter Oscar De La Hoya has also criticized the bill, suggesting it undermines the original Ali Act and could lead to monopolistic practices in boxing.
While Walsh acknowledges the need for updates to the original law, he remains concerned about the rights of fighters. He highlighted the importance of awareness among fighters regarding their rights under the Ali Act, stating, "You need to know your rights as a fighter." Fox News Digital has reached out to the UFC for a response.