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Boxing Legend Sounds Off on Dana White’s Boxing Takeover
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Boxing's old-school guard might not be throwing a parade for this one. The sport has long been a tangled web of sanctioning bodies, controversial decisions, and championship belts so abundant they could outfit an entire village. Now, a seismic shift is on the horizon.

UFC President Dana White and Saudi Arabia’s entertainment powerhouse Turki Alalshikh have announced a new boxing league. Backed by TKO Group Holdings (the same corporate umbrella that owns both UFC and WWE), the league is set to shake up the sport with a UFC-style structure—one recognized champion per division, fewer weight classes, and guaranteed elite matchups. The goal? Simplify the sport, maximize fan engagement, and create an undeniable spectacle.

But not everyone's buying in. In a recent interview with FightHubTV , Oscar De La Hoya, a legendary figure in the sport, isn't exactly rolling out the welcome mat. “I felt a little offended when I heard Dana White talk about running boxing,” De La Hoya said, echoing the concerns of boxing purists wary of White’s involvement. What makes this even more interesting is De La Hoya’s great working relationship with Turki Alalshikh. However, the notion that the reins of boxing are being handed over to White doesn’t sit well with him.

De La Hoya has made it clear that he’s staying in his lane with Golden Boy Promotions, focusing on what he knows best—his fighters and his brand. This could set a precedent, as many other promoters may follow suit, choosing to operate independently rather than buying into White’s vision for boxing. The tension between the traditional boxing establishment and White's MMA-rooted approach has been brewing for years. Now, with Saudi money fueling the project and a major structural overhaul on the table, the battle for boxing's future is officially underway.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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