Boxing Esq. Podcast #76 - Erik Magraken

My guest on the podcast is Erik Magraken, a managing law partner at McIsaac & Company in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, who has done work with the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) and maintains the excellent Combat Sports Law Blog that is a great resource for combat sports issues. We discuss the bill proposed by Georgia Congressman Brian Jack to amend the Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and curtail the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000. They’ve named the bill The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act. Erik and I discuss whether this bill is actually about reviving American boxing, or is it just cover for the UFC to bring their practices of being the promoter and sanctioning body over to boxing, We also get into the support that the ABC lent the bill and whether they consulted with the Athlete’s Voice Committee or even their full membership before endorsing the proposed bill. We also recap what’s good and bad about the status quo under the Ali Act and how things may look if this proposed bill is passed and become law. It was an informative conversation - hope you enjoy it.