The CSAC formally endorsed the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act. What’s next?

Note: The author of this article attended the CSAC meeting. He is opposed to the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.

The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) unanimously passed a motion on Wednesday to formally endorse the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.

All six voting members of the commission voted to support the act. This was despite significant opposition expressed by the public at the CSAC’s September 8 and October 15 meetings. The endorsement only means that the commission is backing it. Many steps remain before the act can be implemented in California and the rest of the United States.

The proposed bill seeks, among other things, to create unified boxing organizations (UBOs) that will have the ability to develop their own ranking and title system. Critics argue that should the act become law, it would create an exploitative monopoly within American boxing akin to mixed martial art’s Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

What happened at the September 8 CSAC meeting?

The CSAC meet on September 8 with one of the items on their agenda being “discussion and possible action regarding the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.” During the public comment portion of the meeting, members of the boxing and mixed martial arts community spoke to voice their disapproval of the commission potentially supporting the act.

CSAC chair Peter Villegas then announced that a subcommittee including commissioners Christopher Gruwell and Dr. AnnMaria De Mars would work with the commission’s executive officer, Andy Foster, to further research the proposed bill. The subcommittee would present their findings on December 8, the date of what was supposed to be the CSAC’s next meeting. However, the CSAC ended up meeting on October 15 instead with the subcommittee prepared to share their findings.

What were the subcommittee’s findings?

In a memorandum (click “October 15, 2025 – Materials” to access the document), members of the subcommittee claimed to have had meetings on September 18, September 30, October 3, and October 8 “with various stakeholders.” It claims that “opinions on both sides [regarding the act] were heard and taken into account.”

The subcommittee acknowledged that there was “apprehension about the potential length and exclusivity of fighter contracts” that would exist should the act become law. They also noted that opinions were “split on whether the bill could lead to monopolistic control within the boxing industry.”

Despite concerns that were reportedly expressed to the subcommittee, they ultimately recommended the CSAC to formally support the act. They also “strongly encourage[d] UBOs to establish and operate training facilities within California,” something that could potentially happen once the act becomes law.

What happened at the October 15 CSAC meeting?

The subcommittee presented their findings to the commission and others who attended the meeting. During the public comment portion, a number of individuals who supported the act spoke before any dissenting voices did. Despite this, there were more dissenting voices than those of support. It was following public comment that the CSAC voted unanimously to support the act.

Among the act’s supporters was WWE president Nick Khan (who is also a Zuffa Boxing board member). A press release from TKO Group Holdings (note: Zuffa Boxing is a joint venture between Sela and TKO Group Holdings) that included a statement from him followed the vote.

“On behalf of Zuffa Boxing, we want to thank [the CSAC] for their thoughtful consideration of all voices presented in today’s hearing and for their unanimous (6-0) support for the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act,” read Khan’s statement.

What happens next?

The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act still has a long way to go before it becomes law. In order for that to happen, it has to go through a vote in the United States House and Senate before making its way to the president’s desk to be signed into law. There is no guarantee all that will happen, but the act now has the CSAC behind it.

The subcommittee’s memorandum claims that “commissioners will collaborate with the Governor’s Office and members of Congress to build support” for the act. What that will look like remains to be seen. One thing that is for certain, however, is that the act’s proponents have moved one step closer to getting what they want.