UFC CEO Dana White recently unveiled his plans to make an ambitious step in boxing by early 2025. White, famous for revolutionizing mixed martial arts (MMA), now seeks to rejuvenate boxing – using support from influential figures like Turki Alalshikh to herald in a new era for this ancient sport.
White shared his plans to revitalize boxing – once derided as stagnant and boring by him – during an interview with Sports Business Journal’s Abe Madkour. White hinted of an imminent “nuclear announcement”, suggesting negotiations are progressing well with boxing and negotiations are moving quickly towards fruition: “No secret, but negotiations with boxing are currently progressing well; hopefully by January or February we may have concluded something. White expressed great enthusiasm about embarking upon his boxing venture.
Highlighting the current challenges faced by boxing, White pointed out the necessity for a complete overhaul to resurrect the sport’s appeal. He attributed recent successes in organizing high-profile fights to Saudi investments but stressed the need for foundational changes akin to those made in the UFC. The ultimate goal is to reimagine boxing from the ground up, making it engaging and relevant once again.
Beyond boxing, White is also considering expanding UFC’s scope to include other combat sports like grappling and Jiu-Jitsu by the end of 2025. This multi-faceted approach indicates UFC’s ambition to dominate the broader spectrum of combat sports.
Mike Tyson Endorses Dana White’s Boxing Venture
Mike Tyson, the legendary heavyweight champion, has voiced his support for White’s foray into boxing. In a conversation on the ‘What it Is’ podcast, Tyson hailed White’s potential impact on boxing, drawing parallels to his success with UFC. “That’s going to be the best thing to happen to boxing because Dana – listen, just like UFC, right? If you don’t have a good fight, you ain’t never going to see that guy again,” Tyson explained, underscoring the high stakes and quality control that White could bring to boxing.
White and Tyson enjoy an close friendship; White regards him as one of the greatest boxers ever and Tyson provides significant encouragement as White endeavors to implement transformative changes within boxing.
Riyadh Season and related developments signaling an evolution of boxing are already getting fans and insiders buzzing, while Dana White’s involvement is eagerly anticipated by both. His track record with UFC suggests that boxing may soon experience major change under his guidance.