Dana White’s Potential Venture into Boxing
Dana White has expressed interest in entering the world of boxing, but the UFC owners are hesitant to make any commitments at this time.
In September, White hinted at his plans to make significant announcements regarding his involvement in boxing by early 2025. While he has been supporting Irish boxer Callum Walsh, he has made it clear that a bigger investment in boxing is on the horizon.
White stated, “People have been talking about the decline of boxing for years, but we’re still here discussing it. I have my own vision for how boxing should be done, and I’m determined to see if it’s achievable. I’m ready to make a bold entrance into the boxing world.”
However, White’s ambitious plans may not align with the UFC owners’ vision for boxing.
During a recent earnings call, TKO Group Holdings president Mark Shapiro addressed White’s comments about entering boxing sooner rather than later.
Shapiro stated, “While Dana White is passionate and vocal about his interests, his comments do not necessarily reflect our strategic direction. Boxing is a complex and fractured sport, presenting both challenges and opportunities. If we were to venture into boxing, it would be done organically, without major financial investments or acquisitions.”
In essence, TKO Group Holdings is not planning to heavily invest in boxing in the near future.
Although White may have plans similar to his approach with Power Slap in the slap fighting arena, any potential involvement in boxing would not be directly linked to TKO Group Holdings.
For now, TKO remains focused on MMA and professional wrestling, with the possibility of exploring boxing in the future.
Shapiro concluded, “While we have no immediate announcements, we are open to exploring opportunities in boxing that align with our strategic goals. If a low-risk opportunity arises, we will consider pursuing it with the expertise of White and WWE president Nick Khan.”