Dana White on Ali Act Changes: “Look at Where Boxing Is Now”

Dana White, head of UFC and Zuffa Boxing, explained why he is pushing for changes to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.

“I’m definitely not trying to get rid of the Ali Act. We’re only going to add to it. The law was passed with the right intentions, but just because it was enacted doesn’t mean it works. It has even complicated many things.

Look at where boxing is today — we’ve reached the point where, to see big fights, you need Saudi financing. That is not sustainable long-term. Turki (Alalshikh) has done amazing things for boxing, but if we don’t turn it into a real business, everything will collapse.

Not a single word in the Act will be changed — we’ll simply add a new section. If you’re a fighter, you can stay in the old system or bet on me and compete in our organization. There will be plenty of options.

I’ll have a lot of work over the next five years, but I’m looking forward to it. My vision is simple: start from scratch and revive the sport, turning it into a real business — just like we did with the UFC.

I want fans to believe again that when they tune in, they will get a quality product from the first fight to the last, and the best will fight the best. The event must be spectacular both on screen and in the arena.

The best will fight the best, and losses won’t matter much if fighters show real battles. People want exciting fights. We will stage events in cities where major promoters usually wouldn’t go.

When I created the UFC, I took everything I loved about boxing and removed everything I hated. I’ll do the same with Zuffa Boxing.”

According to the official proposal for the Ali Act amendments, their goal is to “provide professional boxers with greater career opportunities, better pay, and higher safety standards.”