“We have a tough job ahead, but I am sure he will deliver to the people and the fans a magnificent league and make boxing great again,” quipped UFC CEO Dana White as he announced his return to the boxing promotion scene with Turki Alalshikh years after his initial attempt. After managing the UFC and Power Slap, the UFC head honcho has now set his sights on making the boxing world his own playground. However, will he be able to make a dent? Perhaps—but there are numerous hurdles in his way, as Eddie Hearn has already stepped forward, urging him to smell the coffee before diving into such an unpredictable sport.
While having a conversation with the ‘Fighting Hype’ Eddie Hearn was asked about his opinion on Dana White’s announcement on entering into the boxing scene after calling it a dead sport for years. The chairman of Matchroom Sport asserted that the UFC CEO did make a good decision, however, whether he will be able to close the gap or not is the question. “Is the league going to be good? Is it going to be a success? I have my own opinions on what the league might look like because I think the perception is it’s going to be AJ, Fury, Gervonta,” said Hearn.
He further emphasized that the UFC CEO would most likely recruit new talent from the boxing world and groom them into superstars, “No, I don’t think so. I think they’re going to be building talent and existing fighters and getting those people under control to do whatever they’re instructed to do.” However, Hearn added that White’s way of dealing with fighters will not work in the boxing world. “Boxing doesn’t work like that, right? Boxing is the worst business in the world, and I hope these guys have got the appetite to be up all night and sleep with one eye open every single day.”
Boxing has long been a sport where top-level fighters operate independently, free from restrictive contracts. It is worth noting that, more often than not, they have the freedom to make their own decisions. Boxers like Gervonta Davis, Canelo Alvarez, and Tyson Fury negotiate their own deals and choose fights that interest them.
MMA: UFC Fight Night-Johnson vs Reis, Apr 15, 2017 Kansas City, MO, USA UFC President Dana White following the Demetrious Johnson not pictured and Wilson Reis not pictured fight during UFC Fight Night at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports, 15.04.2017 21:15:30, 10015017, UFC Fight Night, Wilson Reis, Demetrious Johnson, Sprint Center, MMA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xRonxChenoyx 10015017
This approach stands in stark contrast to the UFC’s model, where Dana White holds the final authority over matchmaking and fighter decisions. As the sport is more unpredictable than UFC, Hearn further added, “You’re not going to get control where you can go to bed at 10:00 in the evening and wake up at 8:00 in the morning and expect the industry and your situation to be exactly the same. Because it doesn’t work like that. Everyone is out there hustling every single day. Guess what? I’m one of them. So, if you’re coming, I hope you’re ready.”
Dana White has the support of Turki Alalshikh behind his back to make things more systematic in the world of boxing. Interestingly, the UFC CEO in his recent statement has asserted that multiple divisions might have to go when he takes over.
Dana White drops massive controversial take in weight divisions in boxing
Dana White has been making some noise in the boxing world specifically due to his announcing his investment in the sport. Well, it appears that the UFC CEO might reduce the number of divisions within the sport as a part of his restructuring plan. While having a conversation with veteran boxing journalist Dan Rafael, White stated that boxing is a mess, which is currently overflowing with unnecessary divisions that make it real difficult for common folks to understand the game.
“I’m not working with them [sanctioning bodies], okay? And doing fewer weight classes—you know, not three fu–ing weight classes within one division,” he said in frustration. White might have a point, considering boxing has 17 weight classes, which are further divided into even smaller divisions—a logistical headache waiting to happen. According to White, the UFC does it right with eight weight classes, each separated by 10 to 15 pounds.
He further added, “Like the featherweight divisions are one twenty-six pounds, right? Now, stay the same, ten rounds, twelve rounds, all that stuff, stay the same. I want the best guys that I have in the organization, fighting the best till they get up. When guys get up into the top five, there’s no question who the top five best guys are in the weight class.”
The UFC CEO has a plan to revolutionize the sport but will he be able to drift alongside the already established people in the market? This question remains unanswered but looking at Dana White’s feat as a promoter, he might do something big. Given that, what are your thoughts on the hubbub? State your opinion in the comments below.
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