Boxers need mandatory health and safety standards...

Boxers need mandatory health and safety standards established through federal legislation to protect them from injury and exploitation in an industry unable to regulate itself, a congressional panel was told.

“The sport has had more than 100 years to attempt self-regulation. The decision is in; boxing lost the decision,” said Rep. Pat Williams (D-Mont.), co-sponsor of a bill to establish a nonprofit, Washington-based federal corporation to govern the sport.

Specifically, the proposed United States Boxing Corp. and its 12-member board of directors would establish uniform regulations and assist states in implementing them; create a computerized national registry to track boxers, their records and injuries; and establish uniform minimum safety and health standards.