White Blames UK Resistance To Boxing Role

Dana White says resistance to his growing role in boxing is coming almost entirely from the United Kingdom.

The UFC CEO made the claim at a recent Dana White's Contender Series press conference, according to Sherdog, as he prepares to help promote Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua on Dec. 11 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Netflix announced White will collaborate with Turki Alalshikh's The Ring to stage the bout, but longtime rival Eddie Hearn has disputed White's level of involvement.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Dana White's Contender Series, Season 10, Week 8 on Ticketmaster →

White Says Boxing Has Become British Sport

White called the pushback from traditional boxing promoters an "ego thing" and pointed out the sport has declined in the United States over the past two decades. "Boxing has taken a hit in the United States," he said, per the report. "It's not as big as it was here 20 years ago. It has become a very British sport. And the complaints and resistance surrounding my involvement are all coming from the U.K."

Both Fury and Joshua signed contracts with Alalshikh and won their tune-up fights earlier this year, though uncertainty surrounded the matchup until it was recently made official. Some parties wanted the fight in the United States to reach a global audience, but Joshua and Hearn pushed to keep it in Britain. Fury also publicly expressed doubts about the bout until recently.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Dana White's Contender Series, Season 10, Week 8 on Ticketmaster →

The December card will stream on Netflix as White expands his footprint beyond the UFC into boxing promotion.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Dana White blames UK resistance to his growing boxing role