As Sky Sports signs a new landmark deal with Zuffa Boxing, Dana White answers our questions about the boxing promotion and its ambitions for the future…
How long have you been involved with boxing?
If it wasn’t for boxing, I wouldn’t be here now. I’ve always loved boxing. I was managing fighters and the Fertitta brothers, my partners in the UFC. We got interested in Jiu-Jitsu and started meeting UFC fighters through Jiu-Jitsu and started managing some of them. In the process, I learned that UFC was for sale and ended up purchasing it two months later.
But everything I loved about boxing and everything I hated about boxing was used to build the UFC. Because at that time I didn’t know anything about production or MMA.
So boxing was definitely, definitely my first love.
Is this like coming full circle and coming back to boxing to fix what you didn’t like?
That’s really true. It’s been fun so far. I’m really happy with the team I’ve put together and the matchmaking is great. It’s only been four matches, but the show is getting better and better. That’s the beauty.
They will continue to get better and better.
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Andy Scott takes a closer look at Zuffa and their ambitious plans for boxing on Sky Sports
What will the competitive architecture look like in the long run?
Having one champion in each weight class will likely lead to a situation where people will once again be buzzing about who the champion is in each weight class.
I want to introduce the sport of boxing to many young people who have never seen boxing before. We’re already on TV in 88 countries and to be on Sky Sports is huge. What I’m most looking forward to is introducing sports to people who have never experienced sports, not just on TV, but also at live events, and getting them to become fans.
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The crowd and atmosphere in England is different, is that part of why you wanted to come here?
Yes, and Britain is part of what has kept boxing and Sky Sports alive over the years. But the fans here are passionate.
English fans love matches and when we have a proper match here there is an incredible energy and buzz and that is something you have to experience at least once in your life.
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Sky Sports Boxing has been your ringside ticket for many years and the drama and excitement is about to begin again.
Is your stance on other title belts a work in progress in terms of a case-by-case basis?
Everything is going towards this right now. When you have a guy like Jay Opetaia, this guy has dreams and goals and things he wants to accomplish. When we sign these kids, we’re going to understand how they can accomplish and accomplish everything they want to do within Zuffa Boxing. It won’t be easy and it will be difficult, but that’s the plan for now. It’s all a work in progress.
Do you have a wishlist of fights you would like to have in the next year or two?
We’re going to do everything from kids you’ve never heard of to the biggest fights that can happen in this sport, and everything in between.
Personally, I have a show called Dana White’s Contender Series where we get the best uncontracted talent from the UFC. That’s what I like most. I prefer that to blockbuster battles. For me, I’m a true fight fan at heart. I love discovering up-and-coming talent, developing them, and seeing if they can become world champions.
I love everything about sports. We obviously want to have the biggest fights possible, which we can do at Wembley and at various great arenas across the UK. But I also love watching up-and-coming kids fight.
