The boxing world is on the brink of a major shake-up. TKO Holdings, the parent company of UFC and WWE, has joined forces with Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority to launch a new boxing league set to debut next year. UFC president Dana White is expected to lead the league’s day-to-day operations. As this ambitious venture takes shape, industry figures have been weighing in—and now, the legendary Mike Tyson has added his voice to the conversation.
White has previously commented on this boxing venture, suggesting he plans to build the sport from the ground up by following a model similar to the UFC. This structure will see the best fight the best based on rankings. The partnership comes on the heels of Dana White’s interest in boxing, dating back to years, if not decades. However, there has been some friction among promoters and fans alike.
Some people have highlighted UFC’s pay structure, which is very low compared to what major boxers are used to making in the sport. Not to mention, White will have to figure out how to deal with the Muhammad Ali act, which makes it compulsory for promotions to work alongside sanctioning bodies. White has claimed that none of the four sanctioning bodies will be involved in the new boxing league.
Despite these challenges, White is determined to move forward with full force. Earlier reports even suggested that the potential Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight could be the inaugural event for the promotion. Regardless, Mike Tyson recently weighed in on White and TKO Holdings’ entry into boxing during an interview with Sports Illustrated.
“I think he’s going to do a good job,” Tyson said during the interview. “He’s not going to let the [boxers] take advantage of him. Everybody [is] feeling sad… What’s that we need now? Trust fund. They manipulate you.” It’s worth noting that Tyson and White have been long-time friends, with their friendship dating back decades.
Unlike White’s friendship with Tyson, the UFC head has often found himself at odds with boxing promoters, boxers, and even his own current and prior UFC fighters. Only time will tell whether such an approach towards boxers will work out for White.
Regardless, while Tyson clearly has confidence in the UFC head honcho, Eddie Hearn, the Matchroom Boxing boss has issued a warning.
Eddie Hearn asks Dana White to sleep with one eye open
Eddie Hearn has sent a stark warning to Dana White following the UFC boss’s entry into the boxing world with TKO Boxing. The boxing industry is notoriously difficult to navigate, and Hearn believes White will quickly realize the challenges ahead. “Boxing is the worst business in the world,” Hearn told iFL TV. “I hope these guys have got the appetite to be up all f**king night and sleep with one eye open every single day.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Eddie Hearn, Boxing Promoter and Chairman of Matchroom Sport looks on prior to the WBC, IBF and Ring Magazine World Super-Lightweight title fight between Chantelle Cameron and Mary McGee at The O2 Arena on October 30, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
Hearn emphasized that boxing doesn’t operate like MMA. “You’re not going to get control where you can go to bed at 10 o’clock (at night) and wake up at 8 o’clock (in the morning) and expect the industry and your situation to be exactly the same,” he warned. “Every f***er is out there hustling every single day. Guess what? I’m one of them.”
That said, it appears that while Dana White has support from Mike Tyson, he has his work cut out for him because of the plethora of pre-existing promoters in the sport, who are paying their fighters significantly more. Do you think White’s boxing league will succeed as Tyson predicted?
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