Sooner or later, setbacks were bound to find Dana White as he ventured into boxing with his new TKO Boxing promotion. Given his history of legal battles over UFC fighter pay, skepticism has followed him into the squared circle. Just yesterday, ahead of UFC 315’s Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena headliner on May 10, the UFC Prez addressed the media at the pre-fight press conference. Speaking with MMA journalist Carlos Contreras Legaspi, he opened up about promoting the high-stakes Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford showdown in Las Vegas. Despite sluggish PPV numbers for UFC 315, Dana White projected confidence, saying his foray into boxing would be a smooth ride. But not everyone’s buying into the hype.
Still basking in the glow of his career-defining victory over Ryan Garcia, which earned him a personal best $5.5 million purse, Rolando Romero has become a major voice in boxing. When asked to weigh in on Dana White’s latest venture, the former lightweight champion was unapologetic and brutally honest, pouring cold water on Dana White’s optimism before the first bell even rings.
The price of boxing glory? Dana White’s gotta pay up
A fresh twist emerged just hours ago when Rolando Romero sat down with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo on their YouTube show Pound4Pound. A clip from the interview was quickly shared on Instagram with the caption: “Rolly Romero discusses a potential MMA move .” During the conversation, Kamaru pointed out the 17-2 boxer’s background in judo and asked whether he’d ever considered stepping into the cage. Romero only gave a four-word reply.
“Dana not paying enough.” he said during the interview. That response hit a familiar nerve in the fight community. According to a report from Boxing Scene, leaked contract details from White’s TKO Boxing promotion reveal, unranked TKO fighters in 10-round bouts earn a base of $20,000. Those ranked #5 to #10 see a bump to $50,000, while fighters at #3 or #4 take home $125,000. Championship challengers get $375,000, and reigning champions receive $750,000 per title defense.
So, while these numbers might appear decent next to lower-tier boxing payouts, they’re dwarfed by the kind of money top-level fighters command. Case in point: Anthony Joshua reportedly earned $25 million against Andy Ruiz Jr., while the Evander Holyfield–Mike Tyson rematch once delivered a staggering $35 million payday.
Usman, picking up on the financial theme, followed up: “So it’s about the money. What if they said ‘Alright, we’ll back the truck up, we’ll give you a little something?’ Romero softened only slightly. “I might have to consider something,” he admitted. “Who knows I’m passionate about boxing. I’m not passionate about MMA. If that’s the case, I’d be fighting for a check and I didn’t wanna be fighting for a check. I wanna fight because I wanna win.”
So, now, a deal between Romero and Dana White seems more like fantasy than reality. Though Rolly Romero complained about Dana White not paying enough, it’s not the first time Romero has made it clear he’s not chasing a paycheck.
Dana White needs to grasp the nuances of boxing
Just two days ago, when FightHub TV asked Rolando Romero about who he’s eyeing next, he responded, “Don’t matter if he beats Barrios or not,” Romero said. “Still, Rolly-Pacquiao.” The former WBA interim lightweight champ praised Manny Pacquiao for his fearless mentality and enduring appeal. “How many losses Pacquiao have? Oh, that’s another thing, bro. Pacquiao is another one that don’t give a f–k about losses. And everyone keep tuning in for him, right?”
Moreover, Rolly Romero was quick to criticize the younger generation’s obsession with staying undefeated. “Bro, all that undefeated sh-t that don’t mean sh-t if you’re not fighting nobody. Nobody gives a f–k about you,” he said bluntly. While some may chase perfect records, Romero is chasing names, legacies, and energy that electrifies arenas. But that’s not all.
“I’m not even talking about money. F–k the money,” the 29-year-old stressed. In Romero’s eyes, he sees fighters like Pacquiao as larger-than-life, capable of drawing casual fans and bringing boxing back into the broader cultural spotlight. It’s a mindset rooted in entertainment value, not rankings. And it’s something Dana White might need to understand if he wants TKO Boxing to thrive.
Given everything that’s unfolded, do you think Dana White’s new boxing venture has long-term potential? Or can he address the current issues and turn them into a lasting success?
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