The boxing world is witnessing a potential game-changing shake-up as UFC President Dana White and Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh announce plans for a new boxing league. The project, backed by Saudi Arabia, aims to introduce a UFC-style structure to boxing, a sport long dominated by independent promoters and sanctioning bodies.
One of the biggest names in boxing promotion, Eddie Hearn, has weighed in on the new venture. While acknowledging it as a potential disruptor, Hearn remains confident in his promotional business and the current state of boxing. But could this new league threaten the way boxing operates today?
Let’s break down what we know about this Saudi-backed boxing project, Eddie Hearn’s reaction, and what it could mean for the future of the sport.
Dana White and Saudi Arabia’s New Boxing League – What Is It?
Dana White, known for revolutionizing mixed martial arts (MMA) with the UFC’s centralized model, has long been critical of how boxing is structured. Now, in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh, he’s setting out to change the sport by introducing a league format that would unify major fights under one governing body.
Key Features of the Proposed League:
✔ Centralized Management – Fighters would compete under one organization, similar to how the UFC operates.
✔ Regular, High-Profile Fights – Eliminating long negotiation battles between promoters.
✔ Saudi Arabia’s Financial Backing – Big purses to attract top fighters.
While details remain scarce, this potential “UFC of Boxing” could drastically change how the sport operates.
Eddie Hearn’s Reaction – “I’m Totally Finished” (But Not Really!)
Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Boxing, is one of the biggest promoters in the sport. When asked about Dana White’s involvement in boxing, he humorously responded:
“I’m totally finished!”
However, Hearn quickly clarified that he isn’t worried about White’s entry into boxing. Instead, he sees the new league as an interesting addition rather than a replacement for boxing’s existing structure.
Hearn’s Key Points on the New Boxing League:
✅ Boxing Is Not Broken – Unlike White’s criticisms, Hearn believes boxing is currently thriving.
✅ Different Model, Different Sport – The UFC’s centralized model may not work for boxing, which has a long history of independent promoters.
✅ Not Dependent on Saudi Money – Hearn emphasized that Matchroom Boxing is financially strong without relying on Saudi investment.
While he is open to collaborating, he stressed that any involvement must respect boxing’s current system.
Why Is Dana White Getting Involved in Boxing Now?
Dana White has criticized boxing for years, calling it a broken sport due to issues like:
- Multiple sanctioning bodies (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO) making title fights confusing.
- Long delays in making big fights happen due to promoter disagreements.
- High-profile mismatches that damage the sport’s credibility.
White’s UFC model is simpler—one organization controls the rankings, title fights, and event scheduling. He now believes it’s time to bring that structure to boxing.
However, boxing is deeply traditional, and adopting a UFC-style league could face major resistance from established promoters like Hearn, Bob Arum, and Frank Warren.
What Could This Mean for Boxing’s Future?
Possible Benefits of the New Boxing League:
✔ More Big Fights, More Often – Less promotional drama delaying fights.
✔ Consistent Fighter Pay – UFC-style contracts could offer stability for boxers.
✔ More Structure, Less Confusion – One governing body could streamline the sport.
Potential Problems and Challenges:
❌ Fighters Losing Independence – Boxers may not want to sign restrictive contracts like UFC fighters.
❌ Existing Promoters Will Resist – Hearn, Arum, and others won’t give up control easily.
❌ Titles & Sanctioning Issues – The WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO may not recognize the new league’s champions.
Eddie Hearn vs. Dana White – A New Rivalry?
Eddie Hearn and Dana White have competing visions for boxing’s future.
| Eddie Hearn (Matchroom Boxing) | Dana White (New Boxing League) |
|---|---|
| Believes boxing is not broken | Thinks boxing needs a major fix |
| Supports multiple promoters & sanctioning bodies | Wants one governing body, like UFC |
| Focuses on traditional fight promotion | Focuses on league-style organization |
| Open to Saudi involvement but not reliant on it | Working directly with Saudi Arabia |
While they respect each other, their approaches to boxing couldn’t be more different.
Will This New Boxing League Actually Happen?
While Dana White has huge financial backing from Saudi Arabia, it remains to be seen whether:
- Fighters will sign up under a league system.
- Major sanctioning bodies will cooperate with a new organization.
- Existing promoters will allow this shift to happen.
Eddie Hearn isn’t too worried—yet. But if White’s league starts attracting big names, boxing’s biggest promoters may have to adapt or risk losing control over the sport.
Conclusion – A New Era for Boxing?
Dana White and Saudi Arabia’s boxing league could be a massive disruptor, but it won’t be an overnight success.
Eddie Hearn isn’t backing down, insisting that boxing isn’t broken and doesn’t need to copy the UFC model. However, if White and Alalshikh’s project gains momentum, it could force boxing to evolve in ways we haven’t seen before.
Could this be the start of a new era for boxing, or will the sport resist change? Only time will tell.
FAQs
1. What is Dana White’s new boxing league?
It’s a UFC-style boxing league, backed by Saudi Arabia, aiming to streamline boxing into a single organization.
2. How did Eddie Hearn react to the announcement?
He jokingly said, “I’m totally finished”, but later clarified he isn’t concerned and believes boxing is doing well.
3. Why does Dana White think boxing is broken?
White believes boxing has too many promoters and sanctioning bodies, leading to delayed fights and confusion over world champions.
4. Could Eddie Hearn and Dana White work together?
Hearn is open to collaboration but insists it must respect boxing’s current system.
5. Will this new boxing league succeed?
It depends on whether fighters join, promoters cooperate, and sanctioning bodies recognize its champions.
