Eddie Hearn believes Dana White, the president of UFC, is going to be very surprised when he really understands what boxing is like.
White, who heads the leading MMA organization, recently partnered with Turki Alalshikh, a powerful figure in boxing, to launch a new boxing league. The specifics of this league are still not completely clear.
However, we know that the first event organized by TKO – the parent company of both UFC and WWE – is expected to happen early next year.
Despite calling his new venture with Alalshikh the ‘TKO League,’ White has expressed that he personally dislikes the term ‘league.’
Instead, the American businessman has suggested his ultimate aim is to get rid of boxing`s four major governing bodies: the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO.
By doing this, White wants to establish just one championship belt per weight division, with title opportunities decided by a single, universally accepted ranking system.
Essentially, it seems both he and Alalshikh are determined to reshape boxing to resemble the UFC model, beginning with acquiring promising fighters.
Even though White is already working on building a roster of up-and-coming boxers, Hearn remains skeptical that his move into boxing will be as smooth as he anticipates.
“I don`t think we have enough details about the league`s structure, fighter pay, or format,” Hearn stated.
“I know many fighters who have been approached or invited to join the league, and it appears to be targeting a lower level of talent than I initially expected.”
“It’s just speculation at this point, but I think [White] will want to implement a similar model to the UFC, which is based on controlling the fighters.”
“But as we know, dealing with boxers, especially top-level ones, is not easy. You`re dealing with lawyers, advisors, and many people who don’t really grasp the business side of things.”
“I think boxing will drive Dana crazy because it`s incredibly frustrating, especially coming from a world where everyone mostly does what they`re told, or rather, what they agree to do in their contracts.”
From an outsider`s perspective, Alalshikh and White’s business plan seems straightforward: sign young fighters to long-term contracts and gain complete control over the next generation of boxing talent.
What could possibly go wrong?
