The United States House of Representatives passed the Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act by a voice vote on Tuesday, advancing a bill that could fundamentally restructure professional boxing by allowing Unified Boxing Organizations.
The legislation will now head to the Senate before potentially reaching President Donald Trump to be signed into law.
If enacted, the bill permits the creation of Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs) as an alternative career route for fighters.
Current regulations demand a strict separation between fight promoters and the sanctioning bodies that govern rankings and titles.
Creating a unified system for fighters
The proposed reforms would allow UBOs to manage promotions, rankings, titles, and matchmaking simultaneously.
This consolidated model mirrors the operational structure currently utilised by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in mixed martial arts.
Crucially, the new legislation would only govern the boxing industry and does not extend its regulatory reach to MMA.
Prominent combat sports figures, including UFC chief executive Dana White and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, have publicly backed the initiative.
Enhanced medical safeguards and financial minimums
Supporters argue the framework provides stronger health care provisions, including mandatory physicals alongside comprehensive brain and eye testing.
The bill also stipulates a strict limit of one championship belt per weight class for each sanctioning body.
Fighters would additionally be guaranteed a minimum mandatory payment of $200 per round under the new structural provisions.
Proponents emphasise that UBOs are designed to offer an alternative opportunity rather than replacing the traditional boxing model entirely.
“My hope is, by its passage, you’re not just going to have one UBO, my hope is that you’re going to have a dozen UBOs operating, if not more, in this sport.”
Representative Brian Jack
Criticism over fighter power and monopolies
However, detractors warn the sweeping changes could erode crucial protections established by the original 1996 and 2000 Ali Act bills.
Critics argue the revised structure might transfer significant financial leverage away from athletes and back towards powerful promoters.
Sceptics within the combat sports community have accused White of pushing the legislation to mirror his tightly controlled business model through his new Zuffa Boxing venture.
The world’s premier MMA promotion has previously faced two major antitrust lawsuits from athletes alleging wage suppression and monopolisation tactics, recently settling one case for $375m.
The influential promotional executive has dismissed these monopoly concerns, echoing congressional arguments that the bill simply provides fighters with additional choices.
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has demanded improved refereeing standards after a controversial VAR decision during her side’s 3-1 Women’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat by Arsenal.
The Blues were trailing 2-0 late in the first half when Dutch defender Veerle Buurman appeared to head them back into the tie.
However, the goal was ruled out after she was dubiously penalised for a foul on Arsenal centre-back Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Replays indicated the contact was minimal, yet the on-field decision stood and the visitors eventually lost the all-English clash.
‘We deserve the best referees’
Following the final whistle, the frustrated French head coach insisted that the women’s game requires a higher level of officialdom.
“It is always more difficult to complain about the referees when you lose the game, but to be honest it is not good enough.”
“When you are playing a Champions League quarter-final, you need to respect the women’s game more.”
Bompastor argued that the video technology is currently failing to eliminate clear human errors.
The 44-year-old revealed that her attempts to seek an explanation from the fourth official regarding the disallowed goal were met with dismissive responses.
Men’s officials an option
The former Lyon boss even suggested she would welcome the introduction of top officials from the men’s game to immediately raise standards.
“We deserve the best referees. If it has to be coming from the men’s game, maybe.”
“We need to have VAR in the women’s game, we just need the right people to make the decisions.”
The result leaves the reigning Women’s Super League champions facing a significant uphill battle to keep their European dreams alive this season.
Despite the frustrating deficit, the manager remains defiant ahead of next week’s crucial return fixture.
“If I don’t have the belief, I just stay home.”
Republic of Ireland defender John Egan has challenged his team-mates to carry their dramatic qualifying momentum into Thursday’s crucial World Cup play-off semi-final against the Czech Republic in Prague.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side kept their North American tournament hopes alive with a sensational stoppage-time victory over Hungary in Budapest last November.
Troy Parrott provided the decisive late strike to secure second place in Group F following a difficult start to their qualification campaign.
Movie-like drama fuels Irish belief
The Boys in Green initially struggled in the group stages, suffering a damaging defeat to Armenia in September that left their progression in serious doubt.
However, the squad rallied spectacularly to rescue their campaign and set up this vital clash at the Fortuna Arena.
“When we went 2-1 down, we still had a feeling we could get the win and for Troy to do what he did felt like you were in a movie,” said Egan.
“We have to keep riding off the back of that wave and keep the confidence and positivity going.”
“These tournaments don’t come around often so when you get a week like this, you have to embrace it and give everything you can to get the result.”
Portugal heartbreak sparked crucial turning point
The 33-year-old centre-back believes a narrow away loss to Portugal served as the unexpected catalyst for their recent resurgence.
Ruben Neves broke Irish hearts with a stoppage-time winner in Lisbon, but the battling performance restored essential belief within the dressing room.
“It was a really solid performance against one of the best teams in the world, so even though it was a loss, the lads came away thinking they were a minute or two away from getting a point and that gives you confidence,” the experienced defender explained.
That resilient display laid the foundation for back-to-back home victories over Armenia and Portugal.
Those crucial results ultimately paved the way for the unforgettable Sunday afternoon in Budapest that secured their play-off berth.
Huge travelling support heads to Prague
If they can overcome the Czechs, the national team will host either Denmark or North Macedonia in a decisive final play-off next Tuesday.
Anticipation is sky-high among the fanbase ahead of the 19:45 GMT kick-off in the Czech capital.
More than 6,000 passionate supporters applied for a meagre away ticket allocation of just 1,024.
Despite being heavily outnumbered inside the 19,370-capacity stadium, thousands more are expected to travel in the hope of witnessing another famous chapter in Irish football history.
Justin Rose has warned it is highly possible that Jon Rahm will be unavailable for Europe in next year’s Ryder Cup due to an ongoing dispute over LIV Golf sanctions.
Rahm faces multi-million pound fines
The Spanish two-time major winner is currently at loggerheads with the DP World Tour and is appealing financial penalties reportedly exceeding £2m.
These sanctions were imposed after the former world number one participated in unauthorised events on the Saudi-backed circuit without securing the requisite permissions.
Rahm recently labelled the penalties as extortionate, but his ongoing appeal process has at least allowed him to continue competing on the European circuit in the short term.
“I think it is absolutely feasible. I think that the line in the sand has been drawn.”
Rose told the Golf Channel when asked if there is a genuine reality where Europe competes without their talismanic star.
Compromise required for New York
The 44-year-old Englishman remains hopeful that a resolution can be reached before Luke Donald’s team defends the trophy at Bethpage Black next September.
Several other players who defected from the traditional ecosystem have already committed to paying their fines or playing extra tournaments to bolster their schedules.
“I think the DP World Tour are willing to work with Jon, so it’s going to take a bit of compromise but I hope we can find that sort of common ground now.”
Tour strategy deemed reasonable
Despite his eagerness to see his Ryder Cup teammate involved, Rose understands why the governing body has taken such a hardline approach.
“From my point of view, I think that the DP World Tour stance is reasonable in terms of if you play an event opposite to one of their events, you clearly by nature are weakening their tour.”
The 2013 US Open champion admitted he has personally been fined in the past for competing elsewhere on conflicting dates.
“I feel like I’m good with the strategy because clearly they’re trying to make their tour as strong as possible, which is not an easy task.”
Everton have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Arsenal defender Ben White this summer as manager David Moyes looks to rebuild his backline.
The 28-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Emirates Stadium, finding himself behind Jurrien Timber in Mikel Arteta’s plans.
The former Brighton centre-back will enter the final two years of his lucrative contract at the end of the current campaign.
His lack of regular first-team football in north London has sparked persistent speculation over a permanent departure.
First-team football appeals to White
Preliminary talks have reportedly taken place regarding a potential switch to Merseyside.
While other Premier League clubs are monitoring the situation, the Toffees hold a distinct advantage by being able to guarantee regular starts.
A comprehensive defensive rebuild is a major priority for Moyes, with several veteran players nearing the end of their current deals.
Seamus Coleman and Michael Keane are out of contract this summer, while James Tarkowski is now into his thirties.
Double Arsenal raid on the cards?
Alongside their pursuit of the England international, the Blues are also exploring a deal for highly-rated Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The club are keen to provide meaningful competition for current first-choice left-back Vitalii Mykolenko.
Moyes has been forced to deploy Jarrad Branthwaite out of position to cover the role following the underwhelming impact of summer arrival Adam Aznou.
Securing a double deal for the Gunners duo would represent a significant statement of intent for the Merseysiders ahead of the new campaign.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has revealed that mental health struggles stemming from an off-season knee injury led to his 25-game drug suspension, as he prepares to return to NBA action on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old was banned in late January for violating the league’s anti-doping programme.
Addressing the media at the team’s New Jersey training complex, the nine-time All-Star issued an apology to his franchise, supporters, and family.
“To let people down hurt more than kind of anything.”
Paul George
Injury frustrations and mental toll
The former Indiana Pacers standout explained that his decision to take a prohibited substance was directly linked to the psychological impact of his physical limitations.
A severe knee injury suffered during a July workout severely restricted his production during his debut campaign in Pennsylvania.
“The most difficult thing is when your body isn’t where you know it needs to be or where it once was.”
He admitted that failing to meet his own high expectations ultimately drove him to make a poor choice regarding his rehabilitation.
Playoff push and team standings
The veteran wing signed a lucrative four-year contract worth $212m during the free agency period ahead of the 2024 season.
However, he has averaged just 16 points across 27 appearances this year, marking his lowest scoring output in over a decade.
Despite missing both their marquee signing and the injured Joel Embiid for significant stretches, Philadelphia managed an admirable 13-12 record during the suspension period.
The Eastern Conference franchise currently sits in seventh place with a 39-33 record, leaving them firmly in the hunt for a post-season berth with 10 games remaining.
A costly mistake and a fresh start
The lengthy ban proved incredibly costly for the forward, resulting in approximately $11.7m in forfeited salary.
Nevertheless, he believes the enforced hiatus provided crucial recovery time for his persistent physical ailments.
“These 25 games were just what I needed, I think for my body.”
Concluding his statement, the returning star emphasised his vulnerability while navigating the intense pressures of professional sport.
“I’ve said it throughout my career, dealing with mental health, I’m no superhero. I’m human and I made a mistake in that moment.”
Mohamed Salah has announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the current season following a video message shared with supporters.
The 33-year-old confirmed his impending exit via his official X account, ending months of speculation regarding his future at Anfield.
The Egypt international has endured a challenging campaign this year and will definitively depart the club in the summer.
Anfield legacy comes to a close
Salah has established himself as one of the most prolific attackers in Premier League history since arriving from Roma in 2017.
The former Chelsea winger was instrumental in guiding the Merseyside club to both domestic and European glory during a highly successful era.
Fans were informed directly by the player, who bypassed traditional club statements to address supporters through a personal broadcast.
Next steps for the talisman
It remains to be seen where the three-time Golden Boot winner will play his football next season.
He has previously been the subject of intense, lucrative transfer interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
Liverpool executives must now begin the daunting task of replacing their iconic goalscorer ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The National Basketball Players Association has sharply criticised the Milwaukee Bucks for allegedly attempting to sideline a healthy Giannis Antetokounmpo for the remainder of the season.
The controversy ignited after reports emerged that the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player refused the franchise’s request to sit out their remaining fixtures.
Despite dealing with a recent left knee injury, the 31-year-old remains adamant that returning to the court poses no further risk to his long-term health.
Union accusations of tanking
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, the players’ union invoked the league’s anti-tanking regulations while confirming their superstar member is fully prepared to compete.
“The Player Participation Policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and ensure that when an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play, he is on the court.”
The NBPA further warned that the integrity of the sport and the fan experience will continue to suffer if ownership behaviour goes unchecked by league officials.
Representatives have subsequently expressed a desire to collaborate with administrators on new proposals to directly address and discourage deliberate underperformance.
Injury woes and playoff struggles
The latest dispute stems from an awkward landing following a dunk by the Greek forward during a matchup against the Indiana Pacers on 15 March.
Consequently, the ten-time All-Star was diagnosed with a hyperextension and a bone bruise, compounding an already deeply frustrating campaign.
He has missed a career-high 35 games this season, severely impacting his team’s output and leaving them with a dismal 12-23 record in his absence.
Currently languishing in 11th place in the Eastern Conference with a 29-42 record, the Wisconsin-based outfit sits eight games adrift of the final play-in tournament spot.
Management adopts cautious approach
With a tenth consecutive postseason appearance now looking highly improbable, the organisation faces difficult questions regarding player welfare versus competitive integrity.
When pressed on whether the risk of exacerbating the issue outweighs the reward of playing his primary talisman, head coach Doc Rivers remained non-committal.
“That’s a good question. I don’t have the answer, but it’s a very good question.”
The franchise has yet to provide a definitive timeline for when their leading scorer might return to competitive action.