Ex-World Champ Rips Dana White’s Entry Into Boxing – ‘A Pig, Dishonest’
Dana White has now officially entered boxing, which has resulted in a strong reaction
According to reports, TKO Group Holdings Inc. have partnered with Sela, a subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, to launch this venture. Turki Al-Sheikh is also on board, as TKO will be responsible for managing, promotion, and operations. White will work with Nick Khan in an executive leadership role. Sela has a history of putting on big events. They have helped stage Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov and Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois.
Announcement
“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,” Turki Alalshikh said
“This is a strategic opportunity to reimagine the sport of boxing globally. TKO has the deep expertise, promotional prowess, and longstanding relationships necessary to drive this initiative forward. 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 at the forefront of the global sports ecosystem,” Mark Shapiro (President and Chief Operating Officer of TKO)
The news raises question marks over whether this will help boxing. White has shown he is more than capable of promoting a sport. He has made the UFC the biggest MMA brand in the world. He showed a glimpse of what he could do in boxing when he helped make Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor in 2017. While McGregor lost the fight via a tenth-round stoppage, it sold over 4 million PPVs. It also brought a new fanbase to the sport. White has stated that he will not make crossover fights, as the aim is to fight the best.
Malignaggi Reacts
But there are some criticism over how White operates. He has been accused of not paying fighters enough, unlike boxers who are currently enjoying big paydays from the Saudis. Boxers also have more freedom over their careers in deciding who they face. However, under the UFC, White has more centralized control, with fighters not having the chance to duck each other if they want to progress. Paulie Malignaggi is unhappy with this collaboration, as he questioned whether White is the right man to take boxing to the next stage.
“Why would you align with a guy like Dana White, who has such a bad reputation for being a pig with the way he pays fighters? You’re going to bring in a pig like this who has this reputation? I’ve met a lot of MMA fighters. I’m actually friends with more MMA fighters than I am boxing fighters, ironically, because the MMA fans really don’t like me due to the past situations with Conor McGregor.
“I have never, with MMA fighters, I have never heard a single good thing said about Dana White…It’s either no comments at all where he doesn’t come up in the conversation, and when he does come up in the conversation, they cannot stand the guy. They don’t like the guy. He’s a dishonest prick and so on and so forth. So I’m just going by what the people in that world have told me. Now, I’ve dealt with Dana myself. He knows how to kiss ass,” Malignaggi said
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