- A new boxing league formed by Dana White of the UFC and backed by the Saudi royal family is hoping to change the way the sport operates. The initial investment in the venture is $10 million.
- The new league will use a tournament or head-to-head style format similar to that of the UFC.
- No word yet on whether other promoters like Top Ranked Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions will be included in the league.
Full Story
The fight game just got a big boost from some players with deep pockets. A new boxing league formed by Dana White’s TKO Group and backed by the Saudi Arabian royal family is expected to shake up how the sport is run and promoted.
Media Landscape
This story is a Media Miss by the right as only 15% of the coverage is from right leaning media. Learn more
Left 60%
Center 25%
Right 15%
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Why is this league being started?
The new league will have a format similar to a tournament style in each weight class where young up and coming fighters will get a shot at some of the best in the world, much like how the UFC does now. White talked about why he felt the change was needed Thursday morning, March 6, on ESPN’s First Take.
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“Boxing has become this thing where you have to be undefeated for people to care about you. That’s all gonna go away,” White said. “There’s a lot of guys out there that we’re looking at for this roster that have a lot of O’s behind them, they’re all gonna fight each other. And what people want to see are great fights and they wanna know, who is the best in the world.”
What is the Saudi royal families involvement?
The Saudi royal family is the engine behind LIV golf and has spent millions in other sports, including Formula One racing and soccer. Officials didn’t disclose the financial terms of the deal. On an earnings call last week, TKO President Mark Shapiro said the initial investment would be at least $10 million.
White told Ring Magazine why he chose to work with Turki Alalshikh, who is the head of Saudi’s General Entertainment Authority.
“He has done more for boxing than any promoter in the history of the sport combined. He has invested more money, more energy and more passion into the sport than literally ever,” White said.
What is the competition saying?
The new league does not have a name yet. The league will compete with current fight promoters like Top Ranked Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions and Matchroom.
The groups haven’t always been able to agree on who the best fighters are and how they should match up. Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing believes competition can be good for the sport.
“We got a big business, I believe I’m the best boxing promoter in the world, I’ve got loads of energy, I’m up for any challenge that presents itself. I don’t see this as a collision course between us and Dana and Turki, I see this as another layer of the expansion of boxing and one we’re up for supporting,” Hearn said.
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TKO Group said details about fighter signings schedules and venues will be revealed in the coming months. They said the first fights are expected in 2026.
[Chris]
The fight game just got a big boost from some players with deep pockets. A new boxing league formed by Dana White’s TKO group and backed by the Saudi royal family is expected to shake up how the sport is run and promoted.
The new league will have a format similar to a tournament style in each weight class where young up and coming fighters will get a shot at some of the best in the world much like how the UFC does now. White talked about why he felt the change was needed Thursday morning on ESPN’s First Take.
“Boxing has become this thing where you have to be undefeated for people to care about you. That’s all gonna go away. There’s a lot of guys out there that we’re looking at for this roster that have a lot of O’s behind them, they’re all gonna fight each other. And what people want to see are great fights and they wanna know, who is the best in the world.”
The Saudi royal family is the engine behind LIV golf and has spent millions in other sports including Formula One racing and soccer. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but, on an earnings call last week TKO President Mark Shapiro said the initial investment would be at least $10 million. After the deal was signed White told Ring Magazine why he chose to work with Turki Alalshikh who is head of Saudi’s General Entertainment Authority.
“He has done more for boxing than any promoter in the history of the sport combined. He has invested more money, more energy and more passion into the sport than literally ever.”
The new league which does not yet have a name will compete with current fight promoters like Top Ranked Boxing, Golden Boy promotions and Matchroom which haven’t always been able to agree on who the best fighters are and how they should match up. Eddie Hearn says competition can be good for the sport.
We got a big business, I believe I’m the best boxing promoter in the world, I’ve got loads of energy, I’m up for any challenge that presents itself. I don’t see this as a collision course between us and Dana and Turki, I see this as another layer of the expansion of boxing and one we’re up for supporting.”
TKO group who will run the day-to-day operations says details about fighter signings, schedules and venues will be revealed in the coming months with the first fights expected in 2026.
For Straight Arrow News, I’m Chris Francis.
Media Landscape
This story is a Media Miss by the right as only 15% of the coverage is from right leaning media. Learn more
Left 60%
Center 25%
Right 15%
Bias Summary
- TKO has officially entered the boxing world by announcing a multi-year partnership with Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority and entertainment conglomerate Sela to establish a new boxing promotion.
- Turki Alalshikh revealed that Dana White would head the promotion as its CEO, applying the UFC's formula to boxing.
- The partnership aims to create an unparalleled experience for boxers and fans while developing the next generation of talent.
- TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro described the venture as a strategic opportunity to reimagine the sport of boxing globally.
Bias Comparison
Media outlets on the left
emphasize the entertainment aspect of the partnership by highlighting Dana White’s enthusiasm and framing the boxing promotion as a spectacle.
Media outlets in the center
focus on strategic opportunities, with a serious tone that suggests a reimagining of boxing rather than merely emphasizing entertainment.
Media outlets on the right
present a critical view of Saudi Arabia’s motivations, explicitly mentioning “sportswashing” and contrasting the celebratory tone of the left.
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Bias Distribution
65 other sources covering this story
Total News Sources
65
Leaning Left
12
Center
5
Leaning Right
3
Last Updated
3 weeks ago
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