With the launch of Zuffa Boxing drawing ever closer, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has dismissed UFC boss Dana White’s venture into the sport as “minor league”, likening it to past disruptors who failed to overhaul established sporting structures.
Zuffa Boxing will stage its inaugural event on Friday, January 23, at the UFC’s Meta Apex facility in Las Vegas, with Irish prospect Callum Walsh headlining an eight-fight card against former world title challenger Carlos Ocampo.
White and Zuffa have been outspoken in claiming they will operate outside boxing’s traditional framework, insisting they will not work with the sport’s four major sanctioning bodies and will instead introduce their own rankings and titles.
That stance, however, already appears contradictory following the signing of IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who has made no secret of his ambition to unify the division.
Opetaia’s presence alone is likely to force Zuffa into dealings not only with the IBF but also with rival governing bodies and promoters, raising questions over how rigid White’s proposed model can realistically be.
Speaking to Boxing Social, Sulaiman criticised White’s approach before the promotion has even staged its first show, accusing Zuffa of needlessly aggressive tactics.
“It’s very unfortunate that Dana White and his team have taken this route, trying to come in and bully and be so aggressive. There’s no need for aggressiveness. They can do their boxing league and do whatever they do. I wish them success. They can do good for boxers. But the way they are presenting it is absolutely contrary to the benefit of the general state of boxing.”
Sulaiman also pointed out that Walsh held the WBC Continental Americas title, highlighting what he views as the enduring pull of the sanctioning bodies. He referenced Dalton Smith’s recent super-lightweight world title success and Conor Benn’s ambition to claim the WBC welterweight crown as further examples.
The Mexican administrator warned that Zuffa’s hardline stance mirrors the approach of other failed breakaway ventures, drawing parallels with attempts to rival the NFL.
“The history behind the WBC, the WBO, the IBF and the WBA is so rich. This is what boxing is all about. It’s like American football — the NFL is the major league. There have been so many attempts with minor leagues coming in saying they’re going to take over, like the XFL and others. Those are minor secondary leagues as they’re going to be.
“I wish them well. I hope they give work to boxers. But the way they’ve presented this is completely against the benefit of the boxer.”
