Eddie Hearn Warns: Dana White's Push to Amend Ali Act Could Hide Fighter Revenues and Undermine Boxer Protections
By Gabriel F. Cordero
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 10 Oct 2025
Dana White has openly declared that proposed amendments to the Muhammad Ali Act would usher in a new era in boxing—one led by him. But industry voices like Eddie Hearn are raising red flags, warning that White's vision may come at a high cost to the very fighters the Act was designed to protect.
In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Matchroom Sport president Eddie Hearn expressed deep concern that the push to alter the landmark federal legislation may be less about reform—and more about control.
“The problem with the Ali Act for this empire,” Hearn said pointedly, “is that boxers must be informed of the total revenue generated from events, particularly television revenue. And that’s where the issue lies. When you're talking about millions of dollars, fighters are often seeing only a fraction of what they’re worth.”
The Muhammad Ali Act, passed in 2000, was established to protect fighters from exploitation by requiring financial transparency and separating promotional and managerial interests. If the Act is amended in a way that dilutes these protections, Hearn warns, the sport could regress into an opaque system where promoters control both the purse strings and the narrative.
“Right now,” Hearn continued, “UFC fighters don’t get to see, in black and white, the revenue generated by an event during fight week. And in some cases, a boxer might earn three or four times more than a UFC main-eventer—even when the UFC event brings in more money. That disparity should alarm everyone. Maybe that’s exactly why these changes to the Act are being pushed.”
Critics argue that Dana White’s backing of these amendments signals a move to expand his grip on combat sports by applying the UFC’s closed-door model to boxing—one where fighter pay is tightly controlled and revenue details remain hidden.
As Hearn emphasized, transparency is not a bureaucratic hurdle; it’s the lifeline for fair compensation in a billion-dollar industry.
“The moment fighters stop seeing the numbers,” he warned, “is the moment they stop getting paid what they deserve.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gabriel F. Cordero.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Wed, 14 Jan 2026Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026“It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 13 Jan 2026IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
Tue, 13 Jan 2026REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
By Eric Armit, Mon, 12 Jan 2026Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 12 Jan 2026STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Sat, 10 Jan 2026