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Demography & Population Studies

Issue Brief Examines Labor Struggles for Professional Boxers in California

The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute released a new issue brief that provides an unprecedented look into the labor conditions of professional boxers in California, which hosts the highest number of boxing events in the United States.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: lppipress@luskin.ucla.edu

UCLA LPPI Data Brief Examines Labor Struggles for Professional Boxers in California

The new analysis shows California boxers are making less than minimum wage in the state

LOS ANGELES (May 16, 2024) –  The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute released a new issue brief that provides an unprecedented look into the labor conditions of professional boxers in California, which hosts the highest number of boxing events in the United States.

The study reveals the precarious labor position that these athletes occupy, drawing from quantitative data provided by the California State Athletic Commission and qualitative interviews with Latina/o boxers and various boxing stakeholders. 

Key findings include:

  • Those who train between four and eight weeks earn, a median of $1,500 for a four-round fight. In contrast, a full-time employee earning California’s minimum wage of $15.50 an hour will gross around $2,480 for four weeks’ work—nearly $1,000 more.
  • Approximately 49% of professionals fighting in California between 2013 and 2021 were of Latina/o descent.
  • Despite their earnings, professional boxers do not have access to comprehensive work protections or health benefits for the long-term injuries they sustain in this dangerous form of work. 
  • The study highlights the case of Joel Diaz, a former professional boxer who was forced to retire at age twenty-four due to a detached retina.

“Our study on the boxing industry in California reveals the stark realities these athletes face. It’s not just about the physical risks they take in the ring, but also the financial uncertainties they navigate for themselves and their families,” said co-author, Abel Valenzuela Jr. “It’s time we recognize and address these challenges to create a more equitable boxing industry.

Key recommendations include:

  • Financial Literacy: Develop a financial literacy tool for boxers seeking a professional license.
  • Data Collection: Create a database for collecting, storing, and retrieving disaggregated data on professional boxers.
  • Pension Fund: Strengthen the California Professional Boxer’s Pension Fund by increasing the per-ticket fee and the cap on the maximum contribution.
  • Compensation: Raise the minimum payment of contestants to $375 per round and make annual adjustments for inflation.

Co-author Rudy Mondragón, UC Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow at UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, added, “Our research shines a light on the often overlooked labor conditions of professional boxers. These athletes put their bodies on the line for our entertainment, yet they lack the basic work protections and health benefits that should be given in such a high-risk profession.” 

Read the full issue brief here.

This report is part of UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute’s Latino Applied Policy Research Awards. The Awards are made possible by $3 million in ongoing funding from the California Legislature to UCLA-LPPI to conduct research and develop policy solutions that address inequities that disproportionately impact Latinos and other communities of color.

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About UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute:

The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute is a non-partisan research institute that seeks to inform, engage, and empower Latinos through innovative research and policy analysis. LPPI aims to promote equitable and inclusive policies that address the needs of the Latino community and advance social justice. latino.ucla.edu.