Dana White, the head of UFC, has given a sharp response regarding potential collaborations with boxing promoters Bob Arum and Oscar De la Hoya now that he is involved in the boxing industry.
TKO Group, the parent company of UFC and WWE, has announced the creation of their boxing league in partnership with Turki Alsheikh.
White and WWE president Nick Khan will be collaborating with Turki Alsheikh in this new boxing endeavor.
It is uncertain whether White will work with promoters like Arum and De La Hoya, whom he has publicly criticized in the past.
When asked about this, White stated, “I mean, let’s hope not! I would never say never, but that is not my plan.”
White’s relationship with De La Hoya became strained after De La Hoya criticized Conor McGregor’s 2017 fight with Floyd Mayweather.
Arum has also been critical of MMA for many years, especially during UFC’s rise in popularity, leading to tension with White.
However, White has acknowledged Arum’s long-standing career in boxing and has spoken positively about Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren in the past.
Details about TKO’s boxing league are still unclear, but it is expected that White will aim to replicate the UFC’s successful model to build a global presence.
Following UFC 314, White commented, “When we acquired UFC, it was just three letters, the octagon, and 12 contracts.”
“We had to build it from scratch. I believe boxing is currently so fractured that it needs a complete rebuild.”
“And that’s my focus. Alsheikh has commitments for the next 18 months involving numerous fighters and promoters.”
“I often mention USA Tuesday Night Fights, which showcased emerging fighters who later became major pay-per-view attractions.”
“The UFC followed a similar path. We started on Spike TV, developed stars, and they evolved into pay-per-view stars.”
“I intend to do the same in boxing.”
