Pennsylvania HR440: A Resolution designating March 8, 2026, as "Fight of the Century Day" in Pennsylvania.

What the bill says

A resolution Designating March 8, 2026, as "Fight of the Century Day" in Pennsylvania.

From the introduced text, March 18, 2026:

A RESOLUTION Designating March 8, 2026, as "Fight of the Century Day" in Pennsylvania. WHEREAS, In what has been deemed the "Fight of the Century," Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, two undefeated fighters and former Olympic gold medalists, faced off in a legendary 15-round boxing match at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1971; and WHEREAS, Ali and Frazier were both offered $1.5 million and a percentage of the total gate for the fight but chose to take the guaranteed $2.5 million, record earnings for a single prizefight at the time; and WHEREAS, Had the fighters taken the $1.5 million and the percentage, they each would have grossed more than $6 million from the fight, which itself grossed more than $30 million in total; and WHEREAS, Ticket sales for the fight grossed $45 million at closed-circuit venues in the United States alone, and it was viewed by more than 300 million people worldwide, with an estimated half the population of the United Kingdom watching the replay on BBC after the results were already widely known; and WHEREAS, Frazier won the fight by unanimous decision, a victory secured by a massive left hook to Ali's jaw, making the "Fight of the Century" Ali's first professional loss; and WHEREAS, The two men fought again in a 14-round match in Manila on October …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Anthony Bellmon (D, 203) · primary sponsor
• James Barton (R, 124)
• Benjamin Sanchez (D, 153)
• Sean Dougherty (D, 172)
• Perry Stambaugh (R, 86)
• Patrick Harkins (D, 1)
• Malcolm Kenyatta (D, 181)
• Carol Hill-Evans (D, 95)
• La'Tasha Mayes (D, 24)
• Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D, 129)
• Joseph Hohenstein (D, 177)
• Jeremy Shaffer (R, 28)

Latest actions

1. March 25, 2026: Adopted, March 25, 2026 (196-3)
2. March 25, 2026: Reported as committed, March 25, 2026
3. March 18, 2026: Referred to TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, March 18, 2026

Votes

• House Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development: Report Bill As Committed (March 25, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Adopted, March 25, 2026 (196-3) (March 25, 2026): 196 yea, 3 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HR440?

HR440 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): A Resolution designating March 8, 2026, as "Fight of the Century Day" in Pennsylvania.

What does HR440 do?

In its own words: A resolution Designating March 8, 2026, as "Fight of the Century Day" in Pennsylvania.

What is the status of HR440?

Passed both chambers as of March 25, 2026. Latest action: Adopted, March 25, 2026 (196-3) (March 25, 2026).

Who sponsored HR440?

Anthony Bellmon (D, 203), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HR440?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hr440