Eddie Hearn Doubts Dana White Can Use UFC Model In Boxing

Eddie Hearn is doubtful that Dana White can implement the UFC model in boxing.
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UFC CEO Dana White is looking to make his mark on boxing. As part of the TKO Group, White and WWE's Nick Khan recently agreed a deal with Riyadh Season's Turki Alalshikh to partner on a new promotion.

The first boxing event under the TKO banner is expected to take place in September. Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford might headline the blockbuster card.

Eddie Hearn has now shared his take on the matter. The Matchroom Boxing head thinks it's great for the sport. However, Hearn doubts whether White can implement his UFC model in boxing.

Eddie Hearn
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Hearn disagreed with the notion that boxing is in a bad place. Speaking on the 5 Boxing Live with Steve Bunce podcast, Hearn said:

I think it's great for boxing. One thing I disagree with, is boxing's not broken. Boxing is in a great place, it always has been. There's always ways we can improve it, but the fact those guys want to come into boxing shows where it's at.

White has implied that he'll look to have one champion in every single weight class. Meaning instead of having different champions for the WBA, WBO, WBC, IBF, and other titles, there will only be one best fighter in each weight class. Hearn, however, doubts that model could work. He said:

I think Dana has a great spot [in MMA] where you can control the fighter, the commercial, everything. You have to do what you're told. That's not really going to work in boxing. Also fighters are drastically overpaid in boxing and the margins in MMA are different, so it's going to be interesting.
Dana White looking to make his mark in boxing
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Apratim Banerjee
APRATIM BANERJEE

Apratim is a Boxing and Soccer reporter for On SI. He has been in the industry for five years, having also worked for The Sporting News, Sportskeeda, EssentiallySports, and more. After coming from an engineering background, he started pursuing a career in sports media. Apratim also holds an MSc. Sport Marketing degree from Loughborough University London and is a keen practitioner of social media and digital marketing. In his spare time, Apratim likes to play an array of sports and practice calisthenics. He is also an avid enthusiast of improving his martial arts skills.