“Big fights are made when they make sense for both sides. That’s when they get made, and when they make sense for both sides, it’s a no-brainer,” Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions once said. Safe to say it is a candid reflection of how things truly work behind the scenes in boxing. In the world of sweet science, organizing big fights isn’t as simple as just pairing up two fighters. It often involves a complex web of negotiations between boxers, promoters, broadcasters, and sanctioning bodies.

Unlike the UFC—where athletes sign multi-fight contracts with fixed compensation—boxing allows fighters to negotiate the terms of each bout individually. Purses, bonuses, broadcasting rights, and other factors are up for discussion, giving fighters significantly more control and flexibility. This system is also why many retired MMA stars often turn their eyes to boxing. So why is this relevant right now? The buzz is very real—Dana White is officially stepping into the boxing world with a brand-new league under the UFC’s parent company, TKO Holdings.

In collaboration with Saudi boxing powerhouse Turki Alalshikh, the ambitious new venture promises to shake up the combat sports world. The two sides have inked a multi-year partnership with the goal of reinventing the boxing industry. Although the league’s official name is still under wraps, it’s reportedly on track for a September debut. However, Dana White has already sparked controversy with a bold statement that ruffled feathers across the boxing community. In a single line, he described the current state of boxing as “broken”—implying the sport is in dire need of repair.

The comment quickly drew backlash from several prominent voices within the sport. Offering a dose of reality, Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn cautioned White about the rough waters of boxing promotion: “It’s not easy dealing with fighters, especially at the top end. You’re dealing with lawyers and advisers, and a lot of people that actually don’t understand the business. I think boxing will frustrate the life out of Dana White if I’m honest—because it’s unbelievably frustrating, especially when you come from a world where everyone does… not as they’re told, but as they sign up to do…Because if boxing was dead, or really that badly broken, do you think TKO would want to be in the space? The answer is no.”

However, whatever issues Eddie Hearn may have with Dana White and his boxing ambitions, this isn’t the first time the Matchroom boss has opened up about the biggest “obstacles” in the boxing world. According to Hearn, the real troublemakers are often not the fighters—but the managers and advisers around them. Hearn expressed this frustration last year during an interview with DAZN. He openly discussed how these very obstacles have complicated his work as a generational boxing promoter.

“I find one of the biggest obstacles is the managers and the advisors,” Hearn told host Chris Mannix. “The fighters want the fights. We want the fights. I think one of the biggest incorrect perceptions from fans is that fans stop the fights. We want the biggest fights! One, because the biggest fights make us money, but two, one of the worst feelings I ever have is going to my own average show. I don’t want to go to a fight and wonder why we paid this guy X, and he’s in a one-sided fight, and you know why? Because we got talked into it.”

“For me, that’s the main focus of our business now is to say no. And if we have to lose a fighter because we’re not delivering the best product for our broadcaster, we have to be prepared to do it. That’s one of the biggest challenges.”

And if it’s affecting someone like  Eddie Hearn—who’s been navigating the boxing business for years—what could it do to Dana White, who’s only dipped his toe into the boxing world once before, during the 2017 Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather mega-fight? But lawyers and advisers aren’t the only challenge white might face. Ryan Garcia also has some strong thoughts about the UFC CEO’s entry into boxing. Let’s hear it from Garcia himself.

Ryan Garcia weighs in on Dana White’s move into the boxing world

Dana White, one of the longest-standing figures in combat sports, has built a reputation for making blockbuster fights. But always under his own strict terms. That controlling grip is a big reason why YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has consistently taken shots at him. ‘The Problem Child’ has at times demanded reforms to the UFC’s fighter pay and compensation structure. In fact, Paul once famously called the Bossman the “most capitalistic motherf—-er,” a comment that quickly went viral.

Yet despite all the backlash, Dana White has never wavered. Now, as he prepares to step deeper into the boxing world, he’s made it clear that his new venture will operate much like the UFC. As White explained: “It’ll be like the UFC. The model is the model that we have [in UFC]. [The] WBC, IBF, WBA, etc., etc. They will deal with those traditional promoters that are out there that exist right now. We’re not going to do that.” Still, one key question remains unanswered: Will this new league mirror the UFC’s much-criticized pay structure?

That mystery hangs in the air. But when The Schmo asked Ryan Garcia—especially with rumors swirling that Canelo Alvarez might be involved in the Dana White-backed league and face Terence Crawford, Garcia didn’t shy away: “Yeah, I mean, if they pay like the UFC, we might not like it, but I’m happy. You know, Dana is getting involved—he’s a great dude, and I’m sure they’re going to do big things.”

So, what’s your take on Eddie Hearn’s warning? Is he right about the pressure and politics that Dana White and TKO will face in the boxing world? Can the UFC boss really push through those “obstacles” Hearn keeps mentioning? Sound off in the comments below