Prominent boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed skepticism about UFC CEO Dana White`s ambitious plans for a new boxing league.
In March, White announced his intention to create a boxing league alongside Saudi billionaire Turki Alalshikh, a key figure behind several recent major fights. White`s vision involves a revolutionary approach, aiming to `break the sport down`.
However, Hearn, one of the most prominent figures in boxing promotion, doesn`t believe White`s approach, similar to how the UFC was built, will be successful in the complex world of boxing.
Eddie Hearn offers Dana White a reality check
Hearn, who promotes stars like Anthony Joshua, has often spoken favorably about Dana White and the UFC. However, his view appears to have changed since White announced his significant move into boxing.
Speaking recently, the British promoter stated he has no fear regarding a potential boxing takeover by White and Alalshikh.
“Those guys, in my opinion, won’t be able to lace my boots in boxing promotion,” Hearn stated confidently.
He acknowledged the UFC`s success: “Now, as a business, as an organization, as UFC, [they are] unbelievable, but this is different. When you go to sleep as a boxing promoter, when you wake up in the morning, nothing is the same. You have to sleep with one eye open every single night.”
Hearn continued, emphasizing boxing`s unique and less controllable nature: “This is different. If you think you’re going to control this world, which is what they’ve really done in MMA, and I think that’s a similar model they’ll try to bring into boxing, I don’t think it’s possible.”
“It doesn’t matter who is involved, you’ve still gotta come in and beat the system,” he added.
He concluded by naming other established promoters who he believes won`t easily yield ground: “People like me, people like Oscar De La Hoya, people like Bob Arum, people like Frank Warren aren’t gonna roll over and go, ‘Oh, well, it’s been a great run, hasn’t it? TKO is here now’. It’s not going to go down like that.”
Dana White`s vision for boxing
Meanwhile, Dana White recently discussed his strategy for `fixing boxing` during an event in New York City last month. He was specifically asked what needed to change for his planned boxing venture, TKO Boxing, to succeed.
“Ah, where do you begin? Probably, you know, the best fighting the best. I’d start there,” he replied, highlighting a common criticism of modern boxing.
White also noted differences in his immediate plans compared to his partner: “Listen, my model is way different, Turki has things that he’s obligated to over the next 18 months…”
He reiterated his foundational approach, mirroring the early days of the UFC: “I want to break this sport down and build it from the ground up like we did with the UFC, so I’m on a different path.”
