New President to Be Voted In at ABC Conference

Mike Mazzulli’s Tenure as ABC President Nears Its End

Mike Mazzulli’s 10-year tenure as President of the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) will come to an end this August, as a new president will be voted in during the annual conference in New Orleans. Mazzulli has chosen not to seek re-election.

During his leadership, the ABC focused heavily on fighter safety and athlete representation—particularly ensuring fighters had a voice in regulatory decisions. His departure comes at a pivotal time, as the ABC is currently under scrutiny with proposed amendments to the Muhammad Ali Act. It will be interesting to see who takes the reins next.

“My term is up, and I’m ready to pass on the leadership position,” Mazzulli told me. “I’ll still be heading the commission with the Mohegan Tribe [in Connecticut] and will be available to help the ABC wherever it’s needed.”

I spoke with Mike last week to catch up after he mentioned on Din Thomas’ “FightCourt” podcast that a new president would be voted in. According to the ABC’s constitution, as published on their website: During the ABC’s annual meeting, any voting delegate in good standing can nominate a candidate for the presidency. If more than one candidate is nominated, an anonymous paper ballot vote is conducted, and a simple majority determines the next president.

Names being floated as potential successors include Tim Shipman of Florida and Scott Bowler from Utah.

This leadership transition comes amid the buzz around potential changes to the Ali Act—changes Mazzulli believes won’t be affected by new leadership. Momentum behind the act has also slowed somewhat, especially after Dana White and TKO were removed from collaborating with Turki Alalshikh on promoting the upcoming Canelo vs. Crawford fight.

One thing I have to credit the ABC for is its unity in regulation—specifically in recognizing medical suspensions across jurisdictions and pursuing common goals to improve combat sports. Because of that, I believe the next president will continue in the direction Mazzulli has set over the past decade.

Among his accomplishments, Mazzulli helped bring legitimacy to the industry and ensured fighters had a meaningful voice in decisions that directly impact them. One standout achievement is the implementation of the fighter committee, which now holds a formal seat at the table within the ABC.

The 37th annual ABC conference will take place August 1–7 in New Orleans. In addition to the election, the event will feature several key sessions, including judge and referee training, proposed rule changes and standardizations, and discussions around safety protocols. Fighters are encouraged to attend—not just to observe, but to be involved in shaping the future of the sport. Special sessions will also dive into technical positions related to rule changes, where fighter input is especially valued.

It’s a great opportunity to network, learn, and push combat sports forward—together.

For more information on the event, visit the ABC website: https://www.abcboxing.com