USA Boxing, the national governing body for amateur boxing in the United States, has withdrawn its support for the controversial TKO-backed Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, H.R.4634, in what could be a significant blow for the fast-moving piece of legislation.

USA Boxing wrote in a letter to the U.S. House Education and Workforce committee Chairman Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., and ranking member Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va.:

On January 18, 2026, correspondence was transmitted to your offices regarding the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act (H.R. 4624).

Following review, the USA Boxing Board of Directors determined that the January 18, 2026, correspondence did not reflect a formally adopted Board position at the time of submission and was not authorized by a vote of the Board. 

Accordingly, the Board issues this clarification and confirms that the January 18 correspondence does not represent an official position of USA Boxing.

Accordingly, the Board hereby withdraws that letter. After discussion, the Board has determined that USA Boxing will not take a position on H.R. 4624.

The bipartisan bill, initially introduced in July by two members of Congress — U.S. Reps. Brian Jack, R-Ga., and Sharice Davids, D-Kan. — would allow for the creation of Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs). 

UBOs would be able to operate similarly to another TKO product, the UFC, in that they could run their own rankings systems within boxing, award UBO titles and organize events under the banner, effectively removing the separation between the promoter and the sanctioning body.

It is understood that Dana White's Zuffa Boxing, a TKO product in partnership with Saudi Arabia's SELA, intends to form a UBO should the legislation enter into law. In fact, Zuffa has already created its own belt and will crown its first champion on Sunday when Jai Opetaia faces Brandon Glanton in a cruiserweight bout on Paramount+.

The bill advanced out of the House Education and Workforce committee in January and will now move to the full House of Representatives for debate and a floor vote, where it would need a simple majority to pass.

USA Boxing was initially a supporter of the bill. WWE president Nick Khan and UFC CEO White were present at the USA Boxing championships this past December, scouting young talent for their Zuffa Boxing venture. White and Khan were understood to be interested in supporting the U.S. amateur boxing's national governing body, with the hopes of leveraging its support and funding to have influence on the top amateur stars coming through.

Those grassroots efforts seem to have taken a major hit now with USA Boxing withdrawing its support, which could prove meaningful in how Congress views the bill and the impact it may have on the sport.

Many in the boxing industry are wary of the Ali Revival Act, claiming that it is nothing more than a TKO initiative to attempt to gain control of boxing.