Mike Tyson issues letter voicing support for Muhammad Ali Revival Act for boxing

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is the latest high-profile name to throw his support behind the Muhammad Ali All-American Boxing Revival Act, which aims to bring UFC-style promotion to the sport of boxing.

In a letter sent to Congress and obtained by MMA Fighting, Tyson backs the bill, which was initially proposed by Congressman Brian Jack (R-Georgia) and Sharice Davids (D-Kansas), who trained and fought in MMA before making her way into politics. The bill was introduced just as the UFC’s owners at TKO Group Holdings are preparing to launch Zuffa Boxing in 2026 with financial backing from Saudi Arabia.

“The current system works well for fighters like myself who were able to compete and have negotiating power with promoters,” Tyson wrote in his letter. “Unfortunately, the majority of professional boxers never reach that level of influence. This bill does not take opportunities away from anyone; rather, it creates new paths for fighters seeking greater financial stability. The proposed reforms provide meaningful benefits for fighters.

“Establishing a per-round minimum ensures that every athlete who steps into the ring receives fair compensation for the risks they take with their body and mind. The requirement for mandatory health insurance is equally critical-no fighter should ever have to choose between paying medical bills and pursuing their career. I’ve seen too many of my peers face that impossible decision.”

Proponents of the bill have repeatedly stated that the new revival act doesn’t change the language of the original Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, which was signed into law back in 2000 with the aim of protecting athletes from exploitation and conflicts of interests such as managers also acting as promoters in the sport.

Instead, the new revival act seeks to introduce Unified Boxing Organizations (UBO), which would allow UFC style promotion in the sport of boxing. That would include a promotion like Zuffa Boxing to maintain its own rankings and issue its own championship titles.

The bill has faced both support and criticism from the combat sports community with many former UFC athletes speaking out against that style of promotion being allowed in boxing while prominent regulators such as Andy Foster, the executive director of the California State Athletic Commission, voicing his support.

Now Tyson is backing the bill as well with his letter sent to Congress.

“Muhammad Ali has always been my hero, both inside and outside the ring,” Tyson said in his letter. “Supporting these revisions honors the spirit of the original Ali Act by closing loopholes that have allowed some promoters to regain monopolistic control over fighters’ careers.

“This new legislation restores balance-allowing boxers to choose their own path while preserving the integrity of the sport. The Act does not alter the opportunities of those who are comfortable with the current system; it simply adds options for fighters who wish to pursue a different path that better suits their career goals.”

At his peak, Tyson was one of the most well-known boxers in the history of the sport while reigning as heavyweight champion. The now 59-year-old veteran most recently set foot in the ring this past November when he engaged in a fight with Jake Paul with the event airing on Netflix with more than 100 million viewers tuning into watch the match.