“If you made the Muhammad Ali law to save or to look out for the boxers, why would you change it for a promoter?” Jones said Fight Hub TV.
“You basically change it back by saying, ‘Okay, you put these security bars on the building so nobody can break in. But since he lives in the neighborhood now, we know he likes to break into stores, we’ll give him the key.’ Come on, brother. Really?”
Jones has repeatedly pointed to the UFC model as something boxing should avoid, arguing that fighters eventually lose bargaining power once one company gains too much control.
“Most of the fighters that retire from UFC, even the ones that come to boxing to make their real payday, they build a name in UFC, but they couldn’t make a payday,” Jones said.
“So, you want me to bring that same old (stuff) to the box? Why would I do that?”
The Hall of Famer then warned that fighters could eventually become dependent on one organization that controls title opportunities and career advancement.
“They’re basically going to be slaves. They’re going to be own sheep,” Jones said. “You no longer get to decide what you wear. You no longer get to decide who you are. You have no identity.”
Jones also criticized the possibility of one system controlling championship events.
“If you piss them off, you’ll never get a title shot,” Jones said.
“You have to kiss their ass or you can’t fight.”
Jones argued that boxing’s history and structure will eventually disappear if sanctioning bodies lose influence and one organization gains full control of championship recognition.
“History is going to be erased,” Jones said.
“There will no longer be such a thing as WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO champion.”
