UFC President Dana White has officially ventured into the boxing industry, announcing a new boxing league in partnership with Turki Alsheikh and WWE President Nick Khan. Despite this move, White remains hesitant to collaborate with rival promoters Bob Arum and Oscar De La Hoya due to past disputes. When asked about potential partnerships with them, White responded, “I mean, let’s hope not! I would never say never but that is not what I plan to do.”
White’s reluctance stems from previous conflicts: De La Hoya criticized the 2017 crossover fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, while Arum has been vocal against mixed martial arts during the UFC’s rise. However, White has acknowledged Arum’s longevity in the sport and has spoken positively about other promoters like Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren.
Details of the new boxing venture remain scarce, but White aims to rebuild the sport from the ground up, mirroring the UFC’s successful model. He plans to develop new boxing stars through extensive promotions and televised fights, similar to the strategy that propelled UFC fighters to stardom.
The boxing community is keenly awaiting further information on this initiative, anticipating its potential impact on the sport’s landscape.
