Dana White Discusses Canelo Alvarez’s Saudi Arabia Deal and Jake Paul Fight Fallout

UFC President Dana White has shared his thoughts on the recent development involving boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez signing a multi-fight deal with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, effectively canceling a potential bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

White expressed little surprise at the turn of events, stating, “Saudi Arabia currently dominates the boxing landscape. It’s not challenging for them to attract talent from any source.” He emphasized the vast difference in scale between Saudi operations and those of Jake Paul’s promotion company.

The UFC chief highlighted his own business relationship with Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, praising him for revitalizing boxing by facilitating major matchups and overcoming promotional obstacles.

The deal came as a shock to Jake Paul, who claimed to have had a signed contract for a fight with Canelo. Paul vehemently criticized Alvarez, accusing him of being motivated solely by money and avoiding legitimate challengers like David Benavidez.

Meanwhile, Canelo Alvarez has moved forward with his plans, scheduling a fight against William Scull in May and potentially setting up a highly anticipated match with Terrance Crawford later in the year.

This situation underscores the growing influence of Saudi Arabia in the boxing world and the complex dynamics between fighters, promoters, and international stakeholders in the sport.