Dana White has been itching to leap into the world of boxing, but now finally seems like the perfect time to pull the trigger.
Earlier this month, White made waves when he revealed that he was going to jump head first into the sport he first teased becoming a part of back in 2017.
Dana White announces he’s getting into the boxing business 🥊 pic.twitter.com/U3mcezkpM2
— Deluxe (@DeluxeNacs) September 19, 2024
Following the latest episode of DWCS, the UFC CEO offered some insight into why he feels that this is the right time for him to throw his hat into the squared circle.
“Every time I get on the phone with these guys, I go, ‘Am I out of my f*cking mind?’” White told reporters following Tuesday’s Contender’s Series card in Las Vegas. “It’s just… But I think obviously now is the time, or I would’ve done it (in 2017). I was kicking around. I was even talking about Anthony Joshua at one time and stuff like that. I’m glad I pumped the brakes and we waited. Everything is about timing. Is now the time? We’re going to find out.”
Dana White on getting into boxing:
I have always had an idea of how I thought it should be done. I don't know if that's possible, but we're gonna find out.#ZUFFABoxing pic.twitter.com/G6zw5P8q7v
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) September 25, 2024
For many years, boxing was a frustrating sport for even its most dedicated fans. Oftentimes, fights between the sports’ biggest names seemed impossible. That was until Turki Alalshikh, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, got involved. Armed with a bottomless pit of money, Alalshikh has put together a series of boxing events featuring some of the biggest names in the game going toe-to-toe.
Last weekend, we saw Anthony Joshua step into the ring with IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois. In December we’ll see Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk run back their instant classic from earlier this year. And on October 12, Artur Beterbiev will put his unified light heavyweight world titles on the line against Dmitry Bivol at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
Riyadh Season, the annual entertainment, cultural, and sporting extravaganza founded by Alalshikh, recently sponsored the UFC’s card at Sphere in Las Vegas. It now looks like the two will continue to work together when White takes a stab at the sweet science.
Dana White Excited to Put His Unique Spin on the Sport
Thus far, the “when” and “where” have been the biggest questions flung White’s way. Unfortunately, we don’t have answers to those yet, but he plans to offer up more details early next year.
“I have a plan,” White said. “I’m going to implement that plan and we’ll see how that works. … People have been talking about the demise of boxing for 30 years and we’re still here talking about boxing right now. I have always had an idea of how I thought it should be done. I don’t know if that’s possible, but we’re going to find out. I’m coming in guns blazing.”
Dana White is "coming in guns blazing" to the world of boxing promotion.
"People have been talking about the demise of boxing for 30 years, and we're still talking about boxing right now. I have always had an idea of how it should be done." pic.twitter.com/fvojqJgq0o
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 25, 2024
As far as seeing UFC fighters crossing over to test out their skills in 10-ounce gloves, don’t get your hopes up.
“God, I hope not,” White replied when asked about the possibility of UFC fighters jumping rosters. “Yeah, no. Completely separate.”
Are you excited to see what Dana White can bring to the world of boxing?
Watch the full press conference below:
