Montgomery, AL – The Alabama House has passed a bill that would set up a commission to regulate boxing matches in the state.
The House voted 95-1 for the bill by Rep. Gerald Allen of Tuscaloosa that sets up an Alabama Boxing Commission. A similar bill passed the Senate last week, but to become law both houses must pass the same version.
Allen said the bill is needed so the state can attract major boxing events. Allen said Deontay Wilder of Tuscaloosa, who won the bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, had to go to Tennessee for his first professional fight.
Allen said it's odd that Alabama would not have a boxing commission since legendary heavyweight champ Joe Louis was born in LaFayette in Chambers County.
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