Since announcing his involvement in the world of boxing, boxing fans have continuously criticized UFC boss Dana White.
This coming Saturday UFC boss Dana White and Saudi Arabian sports promoter Turki Alalshikh will run their inaugural TKO boxing event.
The promotion starts off with a bang with one of the biggest boxing fights in recent years, as Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford clash for the undisputed super middleweight title.
Not only is the fight of huge significance because of the title implications attached to it, but also because it will show the boxing world how TKO boxing plan to take over the sport in the future.
White receives criticism after detailing plan to take over boxing with UFC-like show
Over the last decade, the UFC has grown exponentially under the management of White, and he has single-handedly helped grow the promotion into the biggest combat sports promotion in the world.
And the way in which the UFC has continued to grow is by adapting to the changing landscape of sport. In 2005, when it seemed as though the UFC was going under, The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale took place and to this day, White credits it for saving the UFC.
Since then, the UFC boss has created another popular UFC product, Dana White’s Contender Series, which has become increasingly popular amongst the fanbase.
Dana White’s Contender Series often sees young fighters go head to head in what is practically a live job interview. At the end of the night, White then awards fighters with contracts into the UFC.
And having seen so much success with Contender Series, White has revealed his plan to create something similar in the world of boxing.
“Basically, in 2026, I’m gonna start my show and what I’m gonna do is basically like the Contender Series the best will fight the best, undefeated guys will fight undefeated guys and what you will do is, you will care about the first fight of the night and not just the main event,” White told Vegas PBS.
“So I will build stars, put on great fights and then these guys will graduate, you know, and fight with (Turki Alalshikh) and they will determine how much they get paid,” White continued.
Fans critical over White’s plan to create UFC-like show
Although that format has been successful for the UFC, boxing fans have responded to White’s plans with criticism, claiming that it won’t work in boxing.
“Nobody good is fighting competitive bouts for pennies. He sounds delusional,” one fan reacted.
“So a bunch of newcomers then? Those aren’t the biggest fights,” another fan said.
“Like Contender Series? Best fighting best? Odds in DWCS this year are average -500,” a third fan criticized.
“Delusional buffoon. He should prioritise the UFC which has gone to complete s— with his PED addicted heavyweight champion hogging a belt for three years without fighting,” another fan reacted.