Holyfield Opposes Changes to the Ali Act: “Lawmakers Want to Take Away Control”

Former two-time undisputed world champion Evander Holyfield believes that changes to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act will bring only negative consequences for fighters.

“When I fought, I spoke in the ring. As soon as the bell rang — everything depended on me: my training, my choices, my courage. That is the path of boxing. When you control your own destiny.

Now I am speaking out because lawmakers are trying to take that control away. The new bill, called the ‘Muhammad Ali American Boxing Restoration Act,’ will hand boxing over to corporate managers, burying fighters with fewer opportunities and lower pay.

This new law is exactly what the original Ali Act was meant to stop. When Ali’s name appeared in the law back then — it meant something. It protected fighters from being owned by promoters. It gave fighters the right to see how much the bosses were making off their labor. It required better health and safety standards: medical exams, drug testing, ringside physicians, and insurance. It gave boxing structure without removing freedom.

This is not just about fights or belts. This is about the fighters. About their careers, their safety, their rights. And we cannot allow all of that to be taken away,” said Holyfield.

The changes to the Ali Act are primarily being promoted by Dana White, head of TKO Boxing and UFC. He claims that the new measures will not reduce athlete safety, but instead expand their opportunities.