Gloves Off: U.S. House Votes Against Boxing Commission

Boxing Commission Voted Down By U.S. House

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 233-190 against creating a U.S. Boxing Commission within the Commerce Department that would “protect fighters’ health and wallets,” according to the AP’s Devlin Barrett. Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), who introduced the bill, said that the commission would “pay for itself by licensing fees.” But Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) said, “This is a big government bill. It creates a new federal agency that provides for more regulation and is not self-financing.” Rep. Tom Osborne (R-NE) said, “How many people have to die, how many people have to have their brains scrambled? ... We wouldn’t do this with animals.” Barrett noted the bill, plus legislation for tougher drug policies in sports, “left others complaining Congress had dropped more important work to focus on sports.” Boxing promoter Bob Arum said, “Congress is looking to sports for a diversion. It’s easier to make baseball steroids-free or make boxing better than to deal with the situation in Iraq.” The Senate in May approved a similar bill by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) (AP, 11/16).