LOS ANGELES — On Wednesday, the California State Athletic Commission formally blessed an amendment to the Professional Boxing Safety Act, voting unanimously to support fundamental federal changes to decades-old legislation protecting fighter interests.
As hearings go, this was a kangaroo court. Hours before, a subcommittee recommended supporting new legislation—officially H.R. 4624, the Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act—telegraphing the commission’s intentions. Indeed, the entire two-hour meeting—which was observed via video call by Sports Illustrated—felt deeply unserious. During parts of the comments portion, several commissioners had their cameras off. On multiple occasions a moderator was asked how many more were in line to speak.
