UFC CEO Dana White‘s harsh criticism of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) and the Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr. fight had already made waves, but Joe Rogan has thrown fuel to the fire. The UFC commentator and podcast host didn’t mince words when talking about the fight, and his comments further strengthened White’s argument regarding the present condition of boxing under PBC. If the head honcho’s harsh remarks weren’t enough, Joe Rogan’s perspective may be even more damning—because, unlike Dana White, he wasn’t attempting to bring boxing down.

On The Joe Rogan Experience #2286 with guest Antonio Brown, Rogan revealed that he had almost completely ignored the Davis vs. Roach fight. “I didn’t even know the fight was going on,” Rogan acknowledged, before revealing how a friend had to tell him about the event. He eventually tuned in during the final round and later returned to see the entire bout, describing it as an “amazing fight” that went under the radar. He said, “My friend Jamar, uh, texted me, “You watching this Davis fight?” I’m like, “Oh, I forgot,” and I caught it in the 12th round. Then I went back and watched the whole thing the next day. It was an amazing fight.” His statements highlighted the same issue that Dana White had raised: PBC events just do not attract the same level of attention as huge UFC cards.

White was dissatisfied not just with the visibility of the fight, but also with how it was handled. The ninth-round controversy, in which Davis seemed to take a knee without being penalized, intensified his criticism of the PBC’s production standards. The UFC CEO refused to accept the New York State Athletic Commission’s argument of the no-knockdown decision, claiming that “there’s no money going into the production, the way that it should be.” He contrasted it with the UFC’s instant replay system, underlining that good officiating and organization are critical components absent from PBC events.

The battle lines are being drawn in boxing as Dana White promises to introduce a new level of quality to the sport with his own league. It remains to be seen how PBC will respond to these critiques, but between White’s verbal onslaught and Joe Rogan‘s unintended snub on his podcast, the message is clear: the fight world’s greatest stars aren’t impressed. But while the UFC CEO gave his verdict on the PBC, a boxing star has shared his thoughts on Dana White’s new boxing ambitions.

Oleksandr Usyk shares his thoughts on Dana White’s new boxing league

As Dana White moves forward with his aspirations to change the boxing landscape, the sport’s biggest names are taking notice. While some are skeptical of his ability to replicate the UFC’s success, others are excited about the possibilities. One such figure is Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning heavyweight champion, who recently shared his thoughts on the head honcho’s new league. With Usyk at the tail end of his career, the thought of competing under a fresh and unified system could be an exciting opportunity—but for now, he’s keeping his options open.

Speaking to Al Arabiya, Usyk praised White’s ambition and his relationship with Saudi sports figure Turki Alalshikh, calling it an “amazing, amazing idea.” However, he stressed that he has not gotten an official invitation to compete in the league. “I am not against it, but I haven’t been invited. If such a proposal comes through, my team and I will seriously consider it,” Usyk stated. With only two fights remaining before retirement—one for his belts and another for a potential high-profile fight—he is focused on his current commitments while acknowledging the league’s potential impact on the sport.

Dana White’s new boxing venture is expected to introduce a structure similar to the UFC, featuring a single belt per division and fewer weight classes. While Usyk has not ruled out participation, his present obligations include a necessary WBO championship defense against Joseph Parker, despite his preference for an IBF title fight against Daniel Dubois. It’s unclear whether Usyk will eventually join White’s league, but his willingness to consider the concept suggests that even boxing’s top stars are paying close attention to the sport’s changing scene. What do you think? Will Dana White be able to rule the realm of boxing as well? Let us know in the comments.