The Joint Association of Boxers is an attempt to unionize professional boxers, who are often called "the most exploited athletes." The union's stated goals are:

• To protect the rights of boxers and ensure full disclosure of finances under the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act
  Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act
  The Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act is a federal law enacted in the United States that provides for various legal protections to boxers as well as assisting states in regulating boxing as a sport...
  
  ;
• To ensure the highest possible safety standards at all matches;
• To create health
  Health insurance
  Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
  
   and pension
  Pension
  In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
  
   benefit plans for boxers;
• To create a minimum salary scale;
• To ensure fair distribution of fight proceeds between boxers and promoters; and
• To assist boxers in their transition from boxing to other jobs upon retirement.

The initial meeting of the JAB took place in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...

 on May 12, 2003, where the union was founded in cooperation with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Well-known boxers that are members include David Tua

David Tua

David "Tuamanator" Tua is a New Zealand professional heavyweight boxer, fighting out of South Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.He is a former WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental Heavyweight champion....

, Joel Casamayor

Joel Casamayor

Joel "El Cepillo" Casamayor Johnson is a Cuban boxer, who turned pro after defecting to the United States on the eve of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The nickname "El Cepillo", literally translated to "the brush", comes from his uppercut, which rakes his opponents across the face...

, and the late Diego Corrales

Diego Corrales

Diego "Chico" Corrales was an American boxer.He was the WBC, WBO, & The Ring lightweight champion, and the WBO & IBF super featherweight champion....

.