EDDIE Hearn believes that UFC president Dana White is in for a rude awakening when he discovers what the sport of boxing is truly like.
The boss of MMA’s flagship promotion recently joined forces with power broker Turki Alalshikh to create a boxing league, with the details of which remaining somewhat unclear.
What we do know, however, is that the first event spearheaded by TKO – the umbrella company for both the UFC and WWE – is likely to take place early next year.
But while his new promotion with Alalshikh is being branded the ‘TKO League,’ White has insisted that he, personally, is not a fan of the word ‘league.’
Rather, the American businessman has hinted that his ultimate goal is to eradicate all four of boxing’s major sanctioning bodies – the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO.
In doing so, White would be able to establish one belt per division, with each title shot being determined by a universally recognised ranking system.
In other words, both he and Alalshikh are seemingly determined to transform boxing into the UFC, starting with the acquisition of talent.
But despite the fact that White is already in the process of building a stable of prospects, Hearn remains unconvinced that his transition to the sweet science will be as seamless as he thinks.
“I don’t think we know enough about the structure of the league, the pay of the league, or the format,” Hearn told Boxing News.
“I know a lot of fighters that have been recruited or invited to the league, and it seems to be a lower level than I think [we were expecting].
“It’s only speculation at this point, but I think [White] will want a similar model to the UFC, which is built around control of the talent.
“But as we know, it’s not easy dealing with fighters, especially at the top end. You’re dealing with lawyers and advisors, and a lot of people that actually don’t understand the business.
“I think boxing will frustrate the life out of Dana, because it’s unbelievably frustrating, especially when you come from a world where everyone does almost, you know, not as they’re told, but [what] they sign up to do.”
From the outside looking in, Alalshikh and White’s business model seems clear: sign a young stable of fighters to long-term contracts and, in turn, enjoy full control over the next generation of talent.
What could possibly go wrong?
