Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg announced on Mar. 26 his support for H.R. 4624, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026, a bipartisan bill aimed at updating regulations in professional boxing and improving protections for fighters.
The proposed legislation seeks to address longstanding concerns about safety, fairness, and opportunity within the sport by introducing new frameworks and expanding options for athletes. The House Education and Workforce Committee is responsible for managing federal programs related to education, labor, health, and workforce development, according to the official website.
In prepared remarks delivered on the House Floor, Walberg said that while boxing once held a central place in American sports culture with figures like Christy Martin and Muhammad Ali, it now faces challenges due to outdated regulations. "For too long, professional boxing has operated under an outdated patchwork of regulations that leaves fighters vulnerable to injury, exploitation, and limited opportunity," he said.
Walberg explained that the act would allow Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs) to operate alongside existing sanctioning bodies. This would give boxers more choices regarding how they compete while strengthening health and safety protections within UBOs. He added that all professional boxers would benefit from increased wages and stronger safety standards regardless of where they fight.
The House Education and Workforce Committee also influences policy on issues such as student loans and worker protections as reported by its official website. The committee serves in the legislative sector with jurisdiction over education and labor matters according to its official website.
Walberg concluded his remarks by quoting Muhammad Ali: "don’t count the days; make the days count." He urged colleagues to support H.R. 4624 "for the fighters who step into the ring, for the future of this sport, and for the integrity of competition itself."
