The California State Athletic Commission unanimously voted 6-0 on Wednesday during a public hearing to support the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act (H.R. 4624).

The TKO Group-backed bipartisan legislation was introduced by U.S. Representative and congressman Brian Jack (R-Georgia) and U.S. Representative and congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-Kansas) on July 23 “to provide professional boxers with more career opportunities, better pay, and greater safety protections.”

The new bill preserves the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act ("Ali Act") that was codified in 2000 and enhances the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 by adding supplemental provisions. The new legislation has been met with mixed feedback across the combat sports space, as some have been in favor of the bill due to the new opportunities it presents, while others have pushed back in fear of market control, one-way negotiations and subdued fighter pay.

The legislation was originally endorsed by the Association of Boxing Commissions and Lonnie Ali, the wife of the late boxing icon.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Zuffa Boxing’s Nick Khan, who is also the president of WWE and a TKO Group board member, promoters Tom Loeffler and Cory Rapacz, longtime official John McCarthy, former UFC fighter and current official Chris Leben and former UFC champion Forrest Griffin all endorsed the legislation.

Former UFC fighters as well as amateur boxers, managers, trainers and members of the media were some of the figures who spoke in opposition of the bill. There were no active professional boxers who called in during the meeting.

The CSAC first held a discussion around the matter on September 8, and after hearing heavy opposition in the public comment part of the call, the meeting was tabled until December 8 before being rescheduled to Wednesday.

“On behalf of Zuffa Boxing, we want to thank the California State Athletic Commission for their thoughtful consideration of all voices presented in today’s hearing and for their unanimous (6-0) support for the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act," Khan said in a prepared written statement that was distributed to the media following the meeting.

"This bill does not eliminate or change any of the existing provisions of the original Ali Act. What we are proposing is an alternative system in which fighters will have more choice and opportunities, better pay, greater health and safety protections, and more events in which to compete.

“Also, as the commission is fully aware, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act is supported by Lonnie Ali, wife of the greatest, Muhammad Ali. We know Lonnie personally and can share with you what she said to us: ‘This is a great opportunity for boxers, and this is what Muhammad would have wanted.’”

H.R. 4624 is awaiting a hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Key highlights of the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, as it was originally presented at the time of the initial announcement of the bill: