After years of saying he would get into the boxing business, UFC President & CEO Dana White finally came through with that promise and brought along a few friends to make it that much bigger.
On Wednesday morning, Turki Alalshikh, with TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (TKO) and Sela, announced a multi-year partnership to establish a new boxing promotion. This has been rumored for months, and a few weeks ago, a TKO rep mentioned they were close to finalizing a deal. Today’s announcement makes it official. Dana White has been named CEO by Alalshikh in a video posted by Ring Magazine. Aside from White, WWE President Nick Khan is also involved as he has experience in the boxing business, and some of his executive staff at the WWE do as well.
This is what Alalshikh had to say via a press release. “This landmark partnership between industry powerhouses sets the stage for an unparalleled experience for boxers and fans. Together, we are developing the next generation of talent and delivering world-class events at a time when the sport is primed for further disruption.”
Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer, TKO, added:
“This is a strategic opportunity to reimagine the sport of boxing globally. TKO has the deep expertise, promotional prowess, and longstanding relationships. HE Turki Alalshikh and Sela share our passion and vision for evolving the current model. Together, we can bring the sweet science back to its rightful place in the forefront of the global sports ecosystem.”
The press release also stated, “TKO will serve as managing partner, providing day-to-day operational expertise, management, and oversight of the promotion, with executive leadership anchored by UFC President and CEO Dana White and WWE President and TKO Board Member Nick Khan.”
Although this is a big shock to the system, it appears that White will slowly develop this and won’t jump to the deep end of the pool just yet. White mentioned on ESPN’s First Take that they are still looking to secure a network deal and build the company with fighters they sign in the coming months.
“The best fight the best. How about that?” 😤
UFC CEO @ItsDanaWhite on how he would grow the sport of boxing 👀 pic.twitter.com/deOAaIgg1G
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 5, 2025
Here are a few features the promotion will have that the fans can look forward to.
- A highly structured system to develop new talent from around the world, including athlete combines and academies.
- Access for all boxers to the UFC Performance Institute, the world’s leading combat sports performance training, research, rehabilitation, and nutrition center, featuring locations in Las Vegas, Mexico City, and Shanghai.
- TKO’s production, media, and promotional expertise, to deliver both in-arena experiences and top-tier, state-of-the-art broadcasts to fans around the world.
This will be a “wait and see” if White can replicate his success with the UFC throughout the years and implement that into boxing. Many have come into the sport throughout the years and have left just as fast, so it’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out.
Discover more from Fights Around The World
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
