Teddy Atlas Wants Dana White To Enter Boxing – ‘We Need You’

Teddy Atlas has welcomed the possible introduction of Dana White into boxing. 

White’s entry into boxing has been teased throughout the years. He helped put on Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor in 2017, making it one of the most lucrative fights ever in the sport. Despite receiving a lot of criticism for the fight, McGregor ultimately secured his financial future with a reported $100 million.

White’s Entry Into Boxing

That event led to the rise in crossover boxing fights, and many other MMA fighters entered the boxing ring outside the UFC. During this period, White was considering entering into boxing by launching Zuffa Boxing. Talks were going on, but ultimately it never materialized. 

White has been critical of the boxing industry, calling it out for not making the biggest fights. He has also been critical of Showtime’s prior involvement in the sport, criticizing its poor production. The UFC has often been praised for making the biggest fights, something which boxing has been called out for. 

However, unlike boxing, where fighters generate more money, the UFC is a centralized model. This has resulted in criticism that fighters do not get paid enough. However, the introduction of the Saudis into boxing could open the door for White to make his move. Turki Alalshikh has invested heavily in MMA as he sponsored the UFC 306 card, the first combat sports event at the arena.

Reports indicate that the Saudis want to create a boxing league. This would be one centralized body to replace the four governing bodies of the WBO, WBC, IBF and WBA. It would be mirrored around the UFC model. White recently hinted that he could enter into boxing, suggesting that there was an upcoming announcement.

White is considered one of the best promoters in combat sports and has already ruffled a few feathers within the boxing industry. He is not on good terms with Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya, calling out his previous substance abuse issues. 

Atlas Reacts

He also criticised De La Hoya for opposing the Mayweather-McGregor fight. Yet, De La Hoya wanted Canelo Alvarez to take that fight instead. White is on good terms with Eddie Hearn, the Matchroom Boxing promoter. Hearn has developed a good relationship with the Saudis, which would only help White’s introduction into the sport. Atlas welcomed the CEO of the UFC potentially entering boxing.

“I’d say come on in, come on in – we need you. Turki Alalshikh has helped boxing tremendously by making fights that the promoters couldn’t make or didn’t want to make because they didn’t own both sides, they didn’t control both sides; they don’t want to go across the street to share.

“The fans suffered and didn’t get the fights that they wanted, the sport suffered, the sport was getting less and less relevant… This sport shouldn’t be irrelevant, but it was becoming it because the promoters with their networks [and] with their sugar daddies, they were just making fights to keep their guys undefeated,” Atlas said

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