Addressing the growing speculation surrounding White’s possible role, Sauerland explained why he believes the UFC president could help expand the event’s reach beyond Britain.
“If Turki wants Dana to run it, it makes total sense because he’s got American eyeballs,” Sauerland told Seconds Out.
“There’ll be a strategical reason if they want to bring in Dana White. If they’re going to bring in Dana White, it will have something to do, I would assume, with America, where this fight means very little.
“Currently, it’s a huge fight in the UK. I mean, huge doesn’t quite do it justice. It’s ginormous here, but in America, it’s not like people are queuing up to watch that fight.”
Sauerland also pointed to White’s success in building the UFC into a dominant force in the American combat sports market.
“Bringing in Dana brings in that sort of UFC element to it,” Sauerland said. “Let’s face it, MMA in America over the last 15, 20 years has been the dominant combat sport in America.
“Boxing, when boxing works in America, is still by far the biggest sport. So, I can understand it from a business point of view of why they might do it.”
White has become an increasingly influential figure in boxing through his partnership with Turki Alalshikh and the launch of Zuffa Boxing. Although no agreement has been announced for Fury and Joshua to finally meet in the ring, Sauerland’s comments highlight why White’s involvement may extend beyond promotional novelty.
The heavyweight rivalry has long been one of boxing’s biggest unrealized events. While the contest would likely sell out a stadium in Britain regardless of who promoted it, Sauerland believes Dana White’s ability to reach casual combat sports fans in the United States could elevate Joshua versus Fury into a truly global spectacle.
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