Is Dana White Good For Boxing?

Mike Tyson has given his take on whether Dana White’s entry into boxing will be a positive move. 

White has developed the UFC into the biggest MMA brand out there. He had flirted with the idea of entering into boxing following the 2017 Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor fight. However, the reported plans to launch Zuffa Boxing in 2018 never went ahead. White has now made the move to enter boxing with the Saudis, as he will promote Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford on September 12. That is the biggest fight of 2025, as Crawford will hope to pull off an upset by moving up to 168 to secure the Undisputed Super Middleweight Title.

There has been a mixed response to this move. Fighters such as Paulie Malignaggi have spoken out against White. The criticism against White is that UFC fighters do not get paid enough. That sentiment could crossover into boxing at a time when fighters are getting the biggest purses in recent times. There is also speculation that White could do away with the Muhammad Ali Act.

This gives fighters the right to see the breakdown of a card to see how much money is made and how it is distributed. However, others have backed White to do big things. White has made the best fighters face each other in the UFC. Boxing has been criticized for not doing this over the years, although this has changed with the introduction of the Saudis. White has also given a platform to young talent, developing the next generation of stars. Tyson backed White to deliver, something Daniel Cormier also said. 

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“I think he’s going to do a good job. He’s not going to let the boxers take advantage of him,” Tyson said 

“Here’s the thing I’m kind of torn about it. I feel like the part of me, the fan side of me definitely wants to see it. I want to see it for sure. But the other part of me who’s like very impressed with what Jon Jones is able to do, want to see him go out on top and not even have to [fight again].

“Because there’s the thing about it, there’s always going to be somebody. He beats Tom Aspinall, people [will say] yeah, there’s this new guy. There’s always going to be that last dragon to vanquish. Part of me can respect him for not taking the fight, but another part of me is just like man, you better step the f*ck up and beat this boy. I’m kind of mixed about it to be honest,” Evans stated