Manny Pacquiao is a fan of Dana White's. Credits: Slaven Vlasic and Melina Pizano/Getty Images

Manny Pacquiao pays Dana White massive compliment as ring legend welcomes UFC boss to boxing

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 9:41 PM ET

Manny Pacquiao is one of boxing’s greatest ever fighters, and he is welcoming UFC boss Dana White into the sport with open arms.

Many within the boxing business are unsure of White, who has made a number of high-profile enemies while building the MMA supremo into far and away the biggest brand in combat sports. But it appears that Pacquiao isn’t one of them, insisting that his arrival is a good thing for the sport.

The legendary eight-division world champion is currently preparing for a return to the ring at the age of 46. He will face Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, looking to win yet another belt as he competes for the WBC welterweight title.

Manny Pacquiao welcomes Dana White into boxing with massive compliment

Manny Pacquiao has been working towards a return to the ring next month, and took part in a media workout yesterday in California. He invited the press, including Bloody Elbow, to watch him hit pads and train at the famous Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, later fielding questions.

Asked by Bloody Elbow what he feels about Dana White’s move into the boxing world, he said it was a positive for the sport given his ability as a promoter and his profile. He also noted that his much-anticipated meeting with Conor McGregor was now becoming unlikely.

“That’s good,” he said of the move. “It’s good because it really helps the boxing industry. He is one of the best [promoters in the world].

Dana White has always been a big fan of Manny Pacquiao

While there hasn’t been much of a relationship publicly between the two parties, Dana White has never hidden his admiration for Manny Pacquiao over the years. Back in 2012, he claimed to be “the biggest Manny Pacquiao fan ever,” despite picking Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth fight.

He branded Bob Arum, the legendary Top Rank Boxing boss, “a moron” for putting on the event, which saw Marquez finally knock out Pacquiao. “Why would you take that fight you idiot?” He asked during a media scrum at the time.

“It’s all about the money, that was a money fight, that’s what it was done for. He should have fought [Timothy] Bradley, that was the fight that they should have done. He would have knocked Bradley out, got his belt back and now he’s back in the position he should have been in.

“He’s one of the greatest fighters in the world… Bob Arum is one of the dumbest promoters in the history of the world.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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