UFC CEO Dana White’s long-standing ambition to break into boxing has materialized through a partnership between TKO Group Holdings, Inc. and Saudi Arabia’s General Minister for Entertainment, Turki Alalshikh. The venture, years in the making, aims to reshape boxing’s structure and expand its global reach.
A New Era for Boxing
Turki Alalshikh emphasized the significance of this collaboration, calling it a “landmark partnership between industry powerhouses” designed to elevate the sport. The deal involves Saudi entertainment company Sela, which will act as the link between Turki and TKO.
Fighters under this new promotion will gain access to UFC Performance Institutes in Las Vegas, Mexico City, and Shanghai, offering them state-of-the-art training facilities and resources previously unavailable in boxing.
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO, highlighted the project’s broader ambition:
“This is a strategic opportunity to reimagine the sport of boxing globally.”
Shapiro pointed to TKO’s extensive promotional expertise and deep industry connections as key assets in making this a success. He also noted that Turki Alalshikh and Sela share the same vision for modernizing boxing, positioning this new league as a potential disruptor in the industry.
White’s Vision for Boxing
Dana White has long criticized boxing’s fractured system, and his approach promises a more structured model where top fighters compete against each other regularly. He reiterated this commitment on Twitter:
“The model is proven to deliver the fights that the fans want to see. The best will fight the best, and the fighters will continue to move up the rankings and become world champions.”
White also promised more announcements regarding broadcasting, scheduling, and fighter signings as the project nears launch.
Unanswered Questions
While the vision is clear, some critical details remain unresolved. The promotion’s debut event still lacks an official date and venue, leaving speculation about whether Saudi Arabia will host the first show.
Another major question revolves around pricing and accessibility. Turki Alalshikh has been at the center of boxing’s recent pay-per-view pricing debates, and it remains unclear whether this new venture will follow a similar model or introduce a new pricing strategy.
What’s Next?
The partnership has the potential to reshape boxing’s business structure, offering fighters better promotional backing, higher visibility, and elite training facilities. However, until the first event is announced, questions remain about how this new promotion will fit into boxing’s existing landscape.
If White’s UFC model translates successfully to boxing, it could change the way the sport is organized—possibly leading to more consistent top-level fights and a more centralized ranking system. Until then, fans will have to wait for the next wave of announcements.
Would you support a UFC-style boxing model, or do you think boxing’s current structure is fine as it is?
Last Updated on 03/05/2025
Read the full article here
