UFC Owners Hesitant on Dana White’s Boxing Plans
Dana White has long expressed his interest in diving into the world of boxing, but UFC’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, is taking a more cautious approach to the sport.
In September, White announced that he was prepared to make major moves in boxing by early 2025. He had already been supporting Irish boxing prospect Callum Walsh and hinted at a bigger investment coming soon.
“People have been talking about the demise of boxing for 30 years, and we’re still here talking about boxing right now,” White said. “I have always had an idea of how I thought it should be done. I don’t know if that’s possible, but we’re going to find out. I’m coming in guns blazing.”
However, Mark Shapiro, President of TKO Group Holdings, clarified that White’s “guns blazing” approach might not align with the company’s plans. During a recent quarterly earnings call, Shapiro addressed White’s enthusiastic comments about boxing, stating that White’s remarks shouldn’t be viewed as a finalized strategy.
“Dana says a lot of things and has a lot of passions,” Shapiro explained. “He’s the best promoter in MMA and if it was boxing, but we expect to take a more organic approach, not through mergers or acquisitions.” He emphasized that TKO Group Holdings is not planning to make substantial financial investments in boxing in the immediate future.
UFC’s Cautious Approach to Boxing Involvement
Shapiro also noted that while the boxing industry remains fragmented and disorganized, it does present an intriguing growth opportunity for TKO. However, they are not prepared to dive in without a strategic partner. “If we launched the vertical, we would do so with a partner who would fund it and pay us to operate,” Shapiro said.
In addition to MMA and WWE, TKO Group Holdings is focused on exploring partnerships in various fields, including boxing, but without committing major financial resources. Shapiro also mentioned that if a low-risk opportunity presents itself, TKO would pursue it.
Dana White’s Passion vs. UFC’s Strategic Patience
While Dana White remains passionate about boxing, UFC’s parent company, TKO, prefers to take a measured approach. The company’s long-term strategy involves exploring opportunities in the boxing world while maintaining a focus on its core investments in MMA and WWE. Shapiro made it clear that TKO’s involvement would only happen if they can secure a deal that poses minimal risk and ensures the company’s growth.
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