Congress is advancing the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, a bill that could reshape professional boxing by creating unified boxing organizations similar to the UFC model. The legislation passed the House by voice vote after a 30-4 committee approval, with minimal opposition in what's normally a divided chamber. Proponents argue it would improve fighter protections and health insurance requirements.

Critics warn the bill could weaken existing protections from the 2000 Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act and Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996. Dana White, UFC president and Trump ally, is backing the legislation through his new Zuffa Boxing promotion with Saudi partner Turki Alalshikh. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has supported the changes, citing loopholes that allow promoters to control fighters' careers.

The most controversial provision would allow unified boxing organizations to handle everything from promotion to rankings to sanctioning fights, potentially reducing the power of current sanctioning bodies like the WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA. Bob Arum of Top Rank and other promoters argue this creates an uneven playing field, as UBOs wouldn't face the same disclosure and contract protections required of traditional promoters. The bill now heads to the Senate where its fate remains uncertain.