Outpoll | Eddie Hearn mocks Dana White's plans: 'No fighter with any ambition wants to fight for a Zuffa Boxing belt'

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Eddie Hearn mocks Dana White's plans: 'No fighter with any ambition wants to fight for a Zuffa Boxing belt'

Eddie Hearn mocks Dana White's plans: 'No fighter with any ambition wants to fight for a Zuffa Boxing belt'

4 days ago7 min read999 comments

The simmering rivalry between Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn and UFC CEO Dana White has erupted into open warfare, with Hearn delivering a blistering assessment of White's Zuffa Boxing ambitions that cuts to the very heart of boxing's soul. This isn't merely promotional posturing; it's a fundamental clash of philosophies over the future of a sport steeped in tradition.Hearn, whose lifeblood is boxing's rich tapestry, openly mocked the concept of a Zuffa Boxing belt, declaring with the conviction of a historian protecting sacred ground that 'no fighter with any ambition wants to fight for a Zuffa Boxing belt. ' He drew a stark line in the sand, comparing the proposed new title to the legendary status of the WBC, a belt carried by heroes like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard—names that resonate through generations.For Hearn, this is about legacy versus liquidation. He frames White's entrance, backed by TKO's Paramount deal and the push for the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, not as innovation but as a hostile takeover attempt by an outsider who fundamentally misunderstands the sport's ecosystem.White's retort that Hearn 'went Oscar De La Hoya overnight' only adds fuel to a fire that has been building for weeks, a classic combat sports narrative where respect is acknowledged but competition is relentless. Hearn's counter is that of a purist under siege, relishing the challenge.'He couldn't lace my boots,' Hearn stated, a line that will undoubtedly be replayed in promotional videos for years to come. The core of the conflict lies in Zuffa's proposed Unified Boxing Organization (UBO), a parallel system that would operate much like the UFC, with its own belt and rankings, effectively creating a walled garden.This model, which eliminates the need to work with outside promoters, directly threatens the fragmented but historically entrenched structure of boxing's four major sanctioning bodies. Hearn's critique extends to fighter compensation, a perennial sore point in combat sports, pointedly referencing the recent $375 million UFC antitrust settlement as a shadow over White's claims of creating a better model for boxers.Yet, beneath the bravado, Hearn admits White's move is 'brilliant for the sport' for one simple reason: it's a rallying cry. It forces the often-fractious traditional promoters—Hearn, Bob Arum, Oscar De La Hoya—to consider unprecedented collaboration.Hearn's own experience invading the U. S.market with DAZN's billion-dollar war chest in 2018 taught him how entrenched rivals fight back, and he now sees that same defiant energy awakening across the boxing landscape. This philosophical battle was punctuated by a major strategic victory for Matchroom: the signing of British light heavyweight sensation Ben Whittaker.This wasn't just another contract; it was a statement of intent in the crucial UK market, where Hearn had recently fallen behind Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions. Whittaker, an Olympic silver medalist with a devastating drive for gold and a colossal social media following of 3.5 million, represents the perfect fusion of old-school pedigree and new-age marketability. Hearn's pursuit of him was years in the making, a story of a near-miss three years ago when a promotional video was already in the can before BOXXER swooped in with a more lucrative offer.Securing Whittaker now is a coup that signals Matchroom's resilience and its eye on the post-Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury era. And it is that era—specifically the long-awaited Fury-Joshua superfight—that remains the ultimate prize.Hearn confidently positions His Excellency Turki Alalshikh as the potential architect of this legacy-defining bout, suggesting a genuine belief that 2026 could finally see the two British giants collide. In the end, this is more than a feud; it's a defining moment for boxing.Dana White represents a disruptive, corporatized future built on a single-entity model. Eddie Hearn stands as the guardian of a chaotic, tradition-laden past, now forced to evolve. The ring is set, and the bell has rung for a promotional fight that may ultimately determine the soul of the sport itself.

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