Professional
Fighters Form Union Joint Association of Boxers (JAB)
to Seek Affiliation with Teamsters Union
New York, May 7 For many years, professional
fighters have talked about the need for a union to represent
their interests both during and after their boxing careers.
Today, a group of professional fighters announced the
formation of a bona fide boxers union, the Joint Association
of Boxers (JAB).
According to founder Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, the former
Light Heavyweight Champion of the World, JAB,
the boxers union, will seek to represent professional
fighters at all levels, in all weight classes. JAB has
the support of some of the biggest names in boxing and
will move quickly in the weeks ahead to sign all professional
fighters to membership.
JABs goal, says Muhammad, is
to negotiate an industry wide collective bargaining
agreement with boxing promoters that will give boxers
the dignity, security, and protection they need and
deserve both inside the ring and out, both during
and after their active careers.
JAB has won the support of fighters ranging from former
heavyweight champion Larry Holmes to new professionals
like undefeated Olympic Gold Medalist Muhammadoer Adulaev,
and hundreds and others.
Says Muhammad: This is the best thing both for
the boxers and the sport of boxing. It will help to
stabilize and regulate the sport and give it the foundation
for growth in which all parties will benefit.
In seeking a union affiliation, Muhammed said there
is no comparison between the Teamsters and any other
union. It is the strongest and cleanest union
with the greatest political clout and highest visibility.
The Teamsters Union under James P. Hoffa is in a League
of its own, said Muhammed.
Muhammad and JAB co-founder Walter Kane, an attorney
with the law firm of Vladeck, Waldman, Elias, and Engelhard,
will meet in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday with Teamsters
President James P. Hoffa to discuss affiliation options.
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