Dana White Says He Will Fix Boxing

Dana White has promised to fix the sport of boxing.

White makes a foray into the sport with the upcoming Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Undisputed Super Middleweight fight this weekend. White revealed that he wants to have a Contender Series in boxing, like how he has for the UFC, to ensure he can develop the next generation of stars. This is a clear attempt to address one of the biggest criticisms of boxing: the reluctance of top fighters to face each other.

However, the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act currently is designed to prevent promoters from having too much control. TKO Boxing is supporting the “Ali Revival Act,” but it has been met with criticism. White knows he has a tough task, as he was focused on improving the sport.

“Basically, in 2026, I’m going to start my show, and what I’m going to do is basically like Contender Series. The best will fight the best, undefeated guys will fight undefeated guys. What you will do is you will care about the first fight of the night, and not just the main event. I will build stars, put on great fights, and then these guys will graduate and fight. There’s no ego or arrogance when I talk about getting into boxing and trying to ‘fix it.’ This is a busted sport,” White said 

The Approach

Boxing has a long history of promoters protecting their fighters and building up padded records. White has proven he can make the best face each other with his highly successful Dana White’s Contender Series, where he forces fighters to take on dangerous opponents to earn a contract. This model, if applied to boxing, would eliminate the problem of padded records and create a clear hierarchy in the sport.

The UFC’s marketing is also a well-oiled machine that has turned fighters into global superstars. White’s ability to create hype, promote fighters, and tell their stories is a skill that is largely missing in boxing, where promoters often fail to market their fighters. White’s fight week build-up, where he forces fighters to do media tours, press conferences, and weigh-ins, is a crucial element.

While the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act is a hurdle, White could still offer boxers a more beneficial contract that includes better pay, medical care, and post-career support. The UFC’s Performance Institute, which provides fighters with the best training, nutrition, and medical care in the world, is a perfect example of how a promoter can invest. But for now, there are many issues that need addressing.