ABC launches charitable initiative to support retired fighters

Fighter pay is a hot button issue in mixed martial arts. It is widely believed that the majority of fighters are not paid well enough, and we often see fighters speaking out in protest of the way they’re paid. Al Iaquinta is probably the most high profile example of this trend at present, but he is certainly not the first fighter to fight for higher pay.

When fighters retire, their financial situations can become even bleaker. While many retired fighters get into coaching and other industry-related positions, some do not have this luxury. A new effort from the ABC – the Association of Boxing Commissions – strives to support any retired fighters who are struggling financially.

The ABC, which unofficially governs athletic commissions across North America, will support these struggling retired fighters with a newly launched charitable fund. This fund, which will support both retired boxers and mixed martial artists, was announced last weekend at the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canastota, New York.

According to MMAFighting.com, this initiative will send out its first donations next month at the annual ABC conference, which kicks off on July 22 at  the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. From there, fighters in need of support from this charitable fund will be able to apply for it on the ABC website.

The board for this ABC charitable fund is composed of several notable figures from the combat sports world: ABC president and Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation director Mike Mazzulli, the Iowa Athletic Commission’s Joe Walsh, Oneida Indian Nation Athletic Commission executive director Daniel Gustafson, ABC treasurer Lydia Robertson, legendary mixed martial arts official “Big John” McCarthy, and veteran New Jersey boxing judge Steve Weisfeld.

What do you think of this new initiative from the Association of Boxing Commissions? Weigh in in the comments section!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 6/14/2017.