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Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali and a professional boxer, has responded to backlash over his decision to endorse the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act after months of fierce opposition. Ali Walsh had previously testified against the legislation before the same committee in April 2026, calling it a threat to fighter bargaining power.
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His dramatic reversal has drawn criticism from boxing figures who accuse him of legitimizing a bill designed to benefit a single promotional entity.
The endorsement, announced on September 15, 2026, came just hours before the Senate Commerce Committee advanced the bill to the full Senate (h/t Boxing N BBQ on X):
The Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival act was introduced as being “widely supported by boxing organizations and fighters, including Nico Ali Walsh.” https://t.co/2CxZwJMNEZpic.twitter.com/4zz2y3yOdN
— BOXING n BBQ (@BOXINGnBBQ) September 16, 2026
The Changes Ali Walsh Secured
Ali Walsh revealed in August that he was working to change the bill rather than oppose it outright:
Some progress was made with the revised Revival Act. Shorter initial contracts. More negotiating freedom for fighters. UBOs can work with sanctioning bodies. The work isn’t finished, but staying silent would’ve changed NOTHING. And for everyone complaining.. what have you done?
— Nico Ali Walsh (@nicoaliwalsh) August 10, 2026
In his endorsement letter dated September 10, Ali Walsh stated that he initially opposed the bill because he believed fighters deserved better protections. He credited months of meetings with senators, policymakers, and attorneys for securing what he described as meaningful changes to the legislation.
The full letter from Ali Walsh was posted by Senator Ted Cruz on X. In it, Ali Walsh wrote that he pushed for the following changes:
- Shorter promotional contracts
- A meaningful path to Free Agency
- Transparent and accountable ranking systems
- A clear firewall between Promoters and UBOs and Fighter Managers
- Financial disclosure requirements that hold UBOs to the same standards as traditional promoters
“I am proud that many of the changes I fought for are now reflected in the bill before the Senate,” Ali Walsh wrote in the full letter. “My grandfather fought for protections for fighters, inside the ring and out, and I will always stand on that principle.”
Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) confirmed that Ali Walsh’s feedback was central to the drafting process.
“The changes he advocated for were central to the drafting process, and I’m thankful for his work to ensure this bill aligns with his grandfather’s legacy to protect American boxers,” Rosen said.
The Heart of the Controversy
The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act would allow the creation of Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs) to compete alongside traditional promoters. Critics argue that these entities could replicate the UFC’s centralized business model, which has faced antitrust litigation over fighter pay suppression.
Ali Walsh himself had raised these concerns during his April testimony.
“This proposed act is made for billionaires, not boxers,” he told the Senate Commerce Committee. “It will certainly give more money to the shareholders, not the fighters.”
His testimony also defended the existing regulatory framework. “The Ali Act was built on a simple principle,” he said. “The people controlling fighters should not also control the entire marketplace that those fighters depend on.”
Criticism From Boxing World
Despite Ali Walsh’s endorsement, several prominent boxing figures remain opposed to the bill. Critics argue that the changes he secured are superficial and fail to address the fundamental monopoly risks inherent in the UBO model.
“Using Nico Ali Walsh as a prop to push forward a bill that clearly is written to benefit one promotional entity and just as clearly… will result in lower pay for non-collectively bargained athletes is gross,” wrote Chris Mannix on X, senior writer for Sports Illustrated and DAZN boxing commentator.
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Ali Walsh’s endorsement does not address whether the bill’s core structural provisions have changed. The legislation still permits TKO Group Holdings-backed Zuffa Boxing to establish a UBO, a prospect that remains the primary concern for opponents.
Media members and boxing social media pages gave their opinion of Ali Walsh’s change in stance:
‼️BOXING FANS
TO NICO ALI WALSH AFTER HE BENT THE KNEE TO ZUFFA‼️
⬇️⬇️😭😭😭#Boxing
🥊🥊🥊🥊
pic.twitter.com/WQ4BKR43RG
— Dan The Boxing Man (@dantheboxingman) September 16, 2026
What a joke. Nico Ali Walsh used as a prop to push this legislation through that only benefits one promotional entity currently https://t.co/XScO1MZalx
— Dan Canobbio (@DanCanobbio) September 16, 2026
This bill is nothing more than an attempt to destroy hard-earned labor protections enshrined in federal law all to enrich and solidify the position of a single promoter. A dark turn in a sport full of them is ahead. https://t.co/mh1nrQ3FYO
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) September 16, 2026
Everyone stop what you’re doing & thank Nico Ali Walsh for ushering in the revival act for ZUFFA Boxing..
He played tf out of the activist who thought he was fighting for a righteous cause..
Anyone with a brain could see they were making Nico shake his pale a** with one foot on… https://t.co/SLRa4FKXpg
— AccordingToBoxing (@AccordToBoxing) September 16, 2026
All these people trying to use Nico Ali Walsh as a scapegoat need to chill.
End of the day those who are unhappy about the Muhammad Ali revival act being approved should blame the many years of damage to boxing, from the promoters and sanctioning bodies (MAINLY THE WBC).
— Boxing Massacre (@BoxingMassacre) September 16, 2026
https://t.co/JrvQSoSgYdpic.twitter.com/Ni3434VvkV
— EZ RAW Brunch Boxing (@EzRawBoxing) September 16, 2026
Oh yeah…let’s make history remember this…Meanwhile, I’ll be waiting to read if there were changes made. Because the bill intro’d to the Senate was even worse for fighters than the original House bill… https://t.co/iRu1hnAyEx
— Paul Magno (@Boxing_Tribune) September 16, 2026
Ali Walsh Response to Critics
Ali Walsh addressed those who criticized his work to change the bill:
This new Revival Act is NOT the old one. I know what I fought for. I know what changed. I know who I fought for. I didn’t do this for praise. I did it for the fighters. History will remember the work, not the people who sat on the sidelines complaining.
— Nico Ali Walsh (@nicoaliwalsh) September 16, 2026
One of the biggest changes that I fought for was that fighters in a UBO can now fight for OTHER TITLES (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, etc.)
— Nico Ali Walsh (@nicoaliwalsh) September 16, 2026
For Ali Walsh, who is scheduled to fight on Oct. 10 against Treavon Craycraft in an eight-round main event, the decision for him is a pragmatic choice to work within the legislative process rather than oppose it from the outside.
He responded to fans who asked questions about his decision to back the bill:
My incentive is that this law affects ME directly as an active boxer. And I’m an Ali. I’m always drawn to do what’s right for my name and my career
— Nico Ali Walsh (@nicoaliwalsh) September 16, 2026
Another huge change made is that financial disclosure requirements now hold UBOs to the same standards as traditional promoters.
— Nico Ali Walsh (@nicoaliwalsh) September 16, 2026
The bill must still pass the full Senate and be reconciled with the House version before the congressional session ends. The House passed its version by voice vote in March 2026. Time will tell whether or not this bill ultimately protects fighters or betrays Muhammad Ali’s legacy.
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This story was originally published September 16, 2026 at 10:10 PM.