Paulie Malignaggi one of the few to defend De La Hoya on an important issue in professional boxing in 2026.
That’s the new updated Muhammad Ali revival act of course.
It basically updated the old Muhammad Ali Act in boxing to be more up to date and while not a game changer, it doesn’t maginally improve things for boxers.
However a small number like Nico Ali Walsh (Ali grandson and pro boxer) as well as Oscar De La Hoya (former world champion and declining promoter) have come out against the updated Ali revival act.
Paulie Malignaggi is one of the few who has strangely supported De La Hoya in this and claimed that De La Hoya is right even though he could benefit from the updated act more than most in terms of taking advantage of boxers.
Which he can’t of course. The updated act protects boxers more. Here’s why:
Got it — here’s the same list with tighter sentences:
- Coercive contracts banned: New protections against one-sided contracts + good-faith negotiation rule
- Yearly medicals required: Annual physical, brain, eye, and heart exams are mandatory
- Brain MRIs mandated: Brain MRI required every 3 years, or sooner after a KO
- Higher injury coverage: Minimum medical insurance raised to $50,000 per bout
- More ringside doctors: Events must have 2+ ambulances and extra ringside physicians
- Drug testing added: Random and pre-fight anti-doping tests now required
- Over-40 rules tightened: Yearly bloodwork/urine tests + chest X-ray every 6 years for fighters 40+
- UBOs pay for healthcare: UBOs must cover medical costs, training, rehab, and health insurance
- UBOs pay for drug tests: All anti-doping testing during camp is paid by the UBO
Oscar De La Hoya and Paulie Malignaggi and Nico Ali Walsh are clearly wrong on the new updated Muhammad Ali Revival Act.
