- 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.
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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.
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.
“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.
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.
