The former WBC cruiserweight world champion expressed concerns about White’s understanding of boxing, suggesting that experience in mixed martial arts does not automatically translate to success inside boxing’s established structure.
“Dana White’s an embarrassment from a boxing perspective,” said Bellew to Fight Your Conner and Stomping Ground.
“When someone can speak boxing language, it’s like speaking a foreign language, isn’t it? You know straight away if someone can speak it.
“When you can’t talk about the whole card you’ve put on, that’s dangerous. If you can’t name the whole card and all your fighters, you’re in the wrong sport.”
White officially launched Zuffa Boxing in 2025 under the TKO Group banner in partnership with Saudi-backed Sela.
Following the promotion of the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford event in September 2025, Zuffa Boxing expanded into a more consistent schedule of shows in early 2026.
Despite his criticism, Bellew was quick to acknowledge White’s achievements with the UFC.
“I’m saying that about a man who I’ve got huge amounts of respect for and admire what he’s done and what he’s built with the UFC because I’m a UFC fan,” said Bellew.
“I have so much admiration.”
White has previously outlined ambitions to introduce elements of the UFC model into boxing, including a more structured promotional system and a consistent calendar of events designed to build fighters into recognizable stars.
However, Bellew believes boxing’s traditional structure makes that approach problematic, particularly where fighters are concerned.
“I care about the fighters and what they’re doing to fighters. And what they’re intending to do to fighters is wrong in every way possible.
“The most important thing they don’t care about is the fighters,” said Bellew.
Zuffa Boxing promoted the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford event in September 2025 before expanding into a broader slate of shows throughout 2026. The company has since continued to grow its roster while increasing the frequency of its events in the United States and internationally.
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