In 2017, Dana White, the well-known UFC president, teased his potential involvement in boxing by printing a Zuffa Boxing t-shirt. However, the excitement surrounding this venture quickly died down, and the project seemed to be shelved, with the t-shirt likely forgotten in the back of a drawer. Over the years, whenever White was asked about his interest in crossing over to boxing, he often expressed his frustration with the way the sport was run, making it clear that he didn’t agree with how things operated.
Fast forward to 2024, and it looks like White may be dusting off that old t-shirt. Despite some hesitations, he appears to be serious about getting involved in boxing, even if the idea has taken a few years to come to fruition. During a pre-fight Q&A session in Dublin, White made his intentions clear, confidently stating, “I’m in,” regarding his commitment to rising Irish boxer Callum Walsh, who he heavily supports. Referring to himself as “the HBO” of Walsh’s career, White revealed his plans to reporters after Dana White’s Contender Series 73.
White admitted that he’s had moments of doubt, wondering if he’s making the right decision by venturing into boxing. He reflected on his earlier interest in the sport, recalling how he once considered promoting boxing matches with major fighters like Anthony Joshua. Ultimately, he decided to wait, believing that timing was everything. Now, in 2024, White feels that the timing might be right, although he’s still cautious, acknowledging that the success of his plan remains uncertain.
Although White was tight-lipped about the details of his boxing venture—such as which fighters will be involved, when events will take place, and where they’ll be held—he did offer some insight into his overall approach. According to White, he has a clear plan in mind and is prepared to move forward with it. He also expressed frustration over the repeated claims that boxing is a dying sport, pointing out that, despite years of such predictions, boxing remains relevant and talked about today. With this in mind, White emphasized that he’s determined to shake things up, bringing a fresh perspective to the sport.
One of White’s key talking points was his belief that the UFC model of promoting fighters could work in boxing. The UFC, known for its dominance in the world of mixed martial arts, has most of the top talent under contract, making it easier to organize high-profile matchups. Boxing, on the other hand, is much more fragmented, with top fighters spread across numerous promoters, making big fights more difficult to arrange. While White acknowledged that there have been powerful boxing promoters in the past, he believes the UFC model is a proven success and could potentially be replicated in boxing.
When asked about collaborating with other promoters, White didn’t rule out the possibility, but he made it clear that he would only work with those he respects. He specifically mentioned the likes of Eddie Hearn from Matchroom and Frank Warren from Queensberry Promotions as potential partners but implied that there are others in the industry he wouldn’t be interested in collaborating with. His comments suggested that his approach to partnerships will be selective.
White also dismissed the idea of UFC fighters crossing over to boxing between their MMA bouts, expressing a strong preference for keeping the two sports separate. He appeared disgusted by the notion of UFC athletes taking boxing matches, indicating that such a scenario is not something he would entertain.
One of the aspects of the UFC that White plans to bring to boxing is the fast pace of its events. He pointed out that recent Callum Walsh events moved quickly, without unnecessary delays between fights, and hinted that he intends to apply this same efficiency to his boxing promotions. He also noted that television deals in boxing aren’t as abundant as they once were, leaving an opening for him to make a significant impact by doing things differently.
Looking ahead, White hinted that more details about his boxing plans will be revealed in 2025. For now, Walsh remains the focus of his attention, but there are other athletes White may work with as he expands his reach in the boxing world. With his characteristic confidence and determination, White is prepared to make waves in boxing, bringing a new approach to the sport that, in his view, has been long overdue.
Dana White sees ‘a million reasons why’ now is time to enter boxing ‘guns blazing: UFC Boss Ready to step Into the Ring
