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After years of speculation, Dana White has officially stepped into the boxing world. In a groundbreaking announcement, White ed forces with Turki Alalshikh to launch a new boxing league under the TKO umbrella. Alalshikh, head of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, called it "a new chapter in boxing history," with plans to reshape the sport by ensuring the best fighters face off against each other.
One of the biggest names linked to this new venture is Canelo Alvarez. The reigning WBC, WBA, WBO, and Ring Magazine super middleweight champion recently spoke with CBS Sports about the possibility of fighting in the league's inaugural event. "Yeah, there's always an opportunity to fight in September," Alvarez said, hinting at a potential blockbuster matchup.
A super fight brewing? Canelo vs. Crawford in the works
White's new boxing model aims to eliminate the politics that often prevent major fights from happening. "Everybody knows the format. The best fight the best," White explained. This philosophy aligns with recent comments from combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani, who suggested that Alvarez could face Terence "Bud"Crawford in one of the league's first major super fights.
"Don't be surprised if the first one is Canelo Alvarez vs. Crawford. And don't be surprised if that first one is on a platform like Netflix," Helwani speculated. With two super fights planned for this year and two more in 2025, the Alvarez-Crawford matchup could be the perfect way to launch the new promotion.
Jake Paul lashes out, Dana White fires back
Initially, Alvarez was rumored to fight Jake Paul under Paul's MVP promotion. However, the Mexican superstar ultimately signed a four-fight deal with Alalshikh's Riyadh Season, choosing to face undefeated IBF champion William Scull in May instead. Paul, furious over losing the opportunity, called Alvarez a "slave" and accused Alalshikh of "stealing" fighters.
Dana White, who has a long-standing rivalry with Paul, dismissed his claims. "Listen, they control the sport of boxing right now. I don't think it's hard for them to steal anybody from anybody," White said. He further emphasized that Saudi Arabia operates on a "totally different level" compared to Paul's promotions.
With Alvarez's September fight still unconfirmed, fans are left wondering, will he step into the ring against Crawford under White's new boxing empire?