Dana White prepares massive boxing takeover after 25 years battling NFL and NBA

Dana White, president of the UFC, is now turning his focus to boxing. On Saturday, September 13, 2025, he will promote the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight in Las Vegas, Nevada. The mega fight will also serve as the launch of his new venture, Zuffa Boxing. Backed by TKO Group and Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, White says he already has 60 to 70 fighters signed and plans to use the UFC system to change boxing.Speaking on Vegas PBS this week, Dana White confirmed, “Right now, we probably have between 60 and 70 fighters under contract.” His idea is to make boxing more structured, similar to how the UFC runs. He believes this will give fans more exciting cards and regular big events.White knows the road will be tough. He will face promoters like Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing and Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions. Both have decades of success and strong links with fighters. Still, White said, “We’re all going to have to compete, and we’re all going to try to be better than the other guy to get the best talent.”He also reminded that his competition is bigger than boxing. “I compete with the NFL, I compete with the NBA, I compete with big movie studios. Whatever takes your attention on Saturday night is my competition.”Dana White Confirms Canelo Alvarez Vs Terence Crawford Set To Become One Of The Biggest Fights In Boxing HistoryEddie Hearn shared his thoughts back in March on the 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast. Hearn welcomed White into boxing but rejected the idea that the sport is “broken.” He said, “Boxing’s not broken. Boxing is in a great place—it always has been.”At the same time, Hearn doubted if the UFC system could work. “That’s not really going to work in boxing. Fighters are drastically overpaid in boxing, and the margins in MMA are different.”With Saudi support and a strong roster, Dana White is entering boxing with big ambition.