House passes Ali Boxing Reform Act; Bryan, Reid praise move

Joseph White

Monday, May 22, 2000 | 4:58 a.m.

WASHINGTON - The proposed Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, a first step in Congress' attempt to bring financial reform to the sport, passed the House by voice vote Monday.

If President Clinton signs the bill, which passed the Senate last month and is not considered controversial, it would become the second piece of boxing reform legislation in four years to become law.

"What was once a great sport has been taken over by greed and abuse," said Rep. Michael Oxley, R-Ohio, one of the bill's sponsors. "Boxing fans ought to be able to watch a fair fight, and boxers deserve a fair reward for their sport."

The bill targets promoters and sanctioning bodies, placing limits on one-sided contracts that often favor the promoter, and on the complex, conflict-of-interest-marred money trail that often accompanies big-time fights.

Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Richard Bryan, D-Nev., were the key sponsors in the Senate.

"With the sport facing such a severe crisis with its credibility, this legislation comes at a critical time," Bryan said Monday.

The measure includes an amendment by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., which puts broadcasters that air boxing matches in the same category as fight promoters. Reid said his intent is to assure that fighters will get their fair share of earnings from the likes of HBO and Showtime.

"Today in the boxing industry, broadcasters are acting like traditional boxing promoters by signing exclusive agreements with fighters and requiring them to give up long-term rights," said Reid, a former amateur boxer and boxing referee.

"'These hungry young boxers are forced to negotiate with companies like HBO and Showtime if they want a legitimate shot at winning a championship title," he said.

The bill's key other reforms would:

-place a one-year limit on the length of a contract between a promoter and boxer;

-prohibit a promoter from having a financial interest in the management of a boxer, and prohibit the manager from having a financial relationship with a promoter;

-prohibit improper payments from promoters or managers to sanctioning bodies, such as the WBA, WBC and IBF;

-require the sanctioning bodies to establish objective and consistent criteria for ranking boxers.

The bill was introduced three years ago by Oxley, McCain and Bryan. The Senate passed the bill in 1998, but the House didn't take up the measure before that congressional term ended.

"Making the Muhammad Ali boxing Reform Act a reality was quite an arduous task, but well worth it," Bryan said.

The bill's most visible targets are super-promoters Don King and Bob Arum, both of whom declined invitations to appear at hearings on Capitol Hill. Several fighters testified in favor of the measure, and Ali also attended a hearing to offer his support.

McCain, Bryan and Oxley were also behind the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996, which introduced modest health standards for the sport.

Bryan, who is leaving the Senate this year, said his colleagues will continue working for more reforms. He cited the lack of a pension system for boxers and debate as to whether states or the federal government should have the final say over boxing regulation.

"This legislation not only protects the integrity of the sport itself, but will help protect the financial well being of thousands of future boxers," Bryan said.