Dana White`s ambition to dominate boxing is being challenged by a new competitor.
In March, the head of the UFC revealed plans to launch a new boxing league alongside Turki Alalshikh, a powerful Saudi billionaire credited with facilitating major recent fights.
White`s proposed radical approach aims to fundamentally `break down` and rebuild the sport of boxing.
However, leading boxing promoter Eddie Hearn expressed skepticism about the feasibility of this plan.
Eddie Hearn Offers a Reality Check to Dana White
The promoter for Anthony Joshua has previously voiced respect for Dana White and the UFC organization.
His perspective has shifted, however, since the prominent MMA figure announced his ambitious entry into the boxing world.
On Tuesday, the outspoken Englishman stated he isn`t concerned about a potential takeover of boxing by the White-Alalshikh partnership.
“In my opinion, those individuals won`t be able to handle boxing promotion as well as I do,” Hearn asserted.
He added, “As a business and organization, the UFC is incredible, but boxing is fundamentally different. Being a boxing promoter means constant vigilance; things change rapidly, requiring you to be on alert continuously.”
“It`s a different environment. If they believe they can exert the same level of control they have in MMA, applying that model to boxing won`t be feasible.”
“Regardless of who is involved, you must navigate and succeed within the existing system.”
“Promoters like myself, Oscar De La Hoya, Bob Arum, and Frank Warren aren`t just going to concede and say, `It`s been a good run, TKO is here now.` That`s not how it works.”
Dana White`s Vision for Boxing
Last month in New York City, while attending a fight where Callum Walsh achieved a first-round knockout, White commented on his strategy to `fix boxing` and what TKO Boxing needs to do differently to succeed.
He responded, “Where do you even start? Ideally, you`d have the best fighters competing against each other. That`s where I`d begin.”
“Look, my approach is quite distinct. Turki has specific commitments for the next 18 months…”
“…whereas I aim to dismantle and rebuild the sport from its foundations, similar to our process with the UFC. My path is different.”
Benedict Kingsley