Dana White insists that it’s full steam ahead for his involvement in one of boxing’s biggest fights – despite a rumored feud.
UFC boss White announced back in March that he would be launching TKO Boxing with Saudi Arabian supremo Turki Alalshikh. The Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority has taken over boxing in recent years, and brought White into the fold with a big money deal.
It was expected that TKO Boxing would kick off with the super-fight between undisputed champions Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford in September in Las Vegas. But he was noticeably absent when Alalshikh last listed the promoters and broadcast plans for the event, leading to rumors of a rift.
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Dana White clarifies his involvement in Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford
Dana White insists that he is still very much involved in Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford, with plans to announce an official date and venue soon. He was initially named the lead promoter in a tweet by Turki Alalshikh, but it appeared that plans changed in a later message.
“We have confirmed the promoter for Canelo v Crawford will be Sela for Riyadh Season,” he wrote after his outlet The Ring Magazine had also reported it would be a DAZN PPV, not Netflix as expected. “The broadcaster we have not decided yet but the date will be Saturday 13th September. More details soon.”
However, speaking to media including Bloody Elbow at last night’s UFC 316 press conference, White seemed pretty confident that he was still running the show. “I’m going to tell you what’s awesome, man,” White beamed.
“There’s a lot of f—ed up things about boxing, but they don’t say s—. I mean, nobody talks, it’s the most amazing thing. If we sign a deal I’ve got to f—ing get out my phone quick and say it because 90,000 people will be out there talking about it,
“These guys don’t talk. I’m promoting the fight. I’ll let you guys know [when or where the fight is happening] when it’s time to let you know.”
Dana White ‘can’t remember’ when he last talked to Turki Alalshikh
However, all may not be fully rosy in the world of White and Alalshikh. While the UFC CEO insists that they are still working together, he seemed to be completely clueless when asked by Bloody Elbow about what had happened to cause the Saudi Arabian supremo to seemingly cut him out of promotional messaging.
And he also revealed that he doesn’t recall when the pair last spoke, telling us: “I don’t really know [what happened]. Listen, when we’re at work in UFC headquarters, I’m in my own little world, man. I don’t pay attention to any of that s—.
“I know what’s going on, I know what we’re doing, I don’t really pay attention to that stuff. It doesn’t matter to me… S—, I don’t even remember the last time I talked to him [Alalshikh], but we’re good. We’re very good.”