“No Need for Belts, Just Strength: Dana White and Turki Alalshikh Kick Off a New Era of Boxing

The world of professional boxing is about to witness a massive shake-up as Dana White, TKO Holdings, and Turki Alalshikh have officially teamed up to create a brand-new boxing promotion. This game-changing partnership aims to revolutionize the sport by ensuring that “the best fight the best” while eliminating the politics and inefficiencies that have long plagued traditional boxing organizations.

With Dana White’s deep-rooted experience in combat sports through the UFC, TKO Holdings’ financial backing, and Turki Alalshikh’s influence in the global sports industry, this new promotion promises to deliver high-stakes, high-quality matchups that fans have long desired.

A Bold Vision: Reshaping the Boxing Landscape

Dana White has never been shy about expressing his frustrations with the current state of professional boxing. The sport has often been criticized for its convoluted ranking systems, multiple sanctioning bodies, and promotional disputes that prevent top fighters from facing each other.

In an official statement, White emphasized that the goal of the new boxing promotion is to ensure a meritocratic system where fighters must “work their way up the rankings” to earn championship opportunities. He also made it clear that the promotion would not rely on multiple alphabet titles, stating:

“You don’t need three letters in front of the belt. Whoever has that belt is the best in the world in that weight class.”

This philosophy directly challenges the traditional boxing structure, which is governed by organizations such as the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO—each with its own rankings, champions, and politics. By eliminating these obstacles, White and his partners aim to simplify the championship landscape and provide fans with the most competitive fights possible.

The Power Players Behind the New Boxing Promotion

This ambitious project brings together three of the most influential figures in combat sports and global business:

• Dana White: The President of the UFC and a key figure behind its transformation into a multi-billion-dollar global brand. His experience in managing fighters, building compelling fight cards, and structuring major events is expected to be a significant asset in this new boxing venture.

• TKO Holdings: The parent company of Endeavor, which owns the UFC and WWE. Their financial resources and expertise in sports entertainment will provide the necessary infrastructure to develop and market this new boxing promotion.

• Turki Alalshikh: The chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, a major driving force behind the recent surge of high-profile boxing events in the Middle East. His involvement signals that Saudi Arabia will likely play a crucial role as a host for major boxing events.

A New Era for Fighters and Fans

The current boxing landscape often leaves both fighters and fans frustrated. Fighters struggle with inconsistent rankings, extended contract negotiations, and political battles between rival promoters. Meanwhile, fans are left waiting for years to see the biggest fights materialize—if they happen at all.

The new boxing promotion led by Dana White, TKO Holdings, and Turki Alalshikh promises to change this dynamic by implementing a clear ranking system and ensuring that top contenders get their deserved title shots. Here’s how this could benefit different stakeholders:

For Fighters:

• A streamlined path to the top based on merit rather than promotional favoritism.

• More financial security and consistent fight schedules.

• A single championship per weight class, reducing title disputes.

For Fans:

• The best fighting the best, without long delays or contract disputes.

• A more transparent ranking and matchmaking system.

• Potentially more entertaining and competitive events similar to the UFC model.

How This Could Compete with Existing Boxing Promotions

While boxing has seen a resurgence in recent years with the rise of DAZN, Matchroom Boxing, PBC, and Top Rank, these organizations still face challenges in securing cross-promotional fights and unifying champions across different sanctioning bodies.

Dana White’s vision removes these obstacles, offering a UFC-style structure where fighters compete under one promotional banner, ensuring the most anticipated matchups happen without unnecessary delays. This could pose a significant threat to traditional boxing promoters, who rely on the fragmented structure of the sport to maintain control over their fighters.

If executed correctly, this new boxing promotion could set a precedent for how professional boxing is organized and eventually push other promotions to adopt similar practices.

Saudi Arabia’s Growing Influence in Combat Sports

Turki Alalshikh’s involvement in this project signals that Saudi Arabia will continue to be a major hub for elite boxing events. Over the past few years, the country has hosted high-profile fights such as:

• Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz II (Clash on the Dunes)

• Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou

• Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury (Scheduled for 2024)

With significant financial backing and world-class venues, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as the epicenter of combat sports. This new boxing promotion could further solidify its status as a global fight capital.

What’s Next for the New Boxing Promotion?

While no official fight announcements have been made yet, speculation is already running rampant regarding which fighters might be signed to this new boxing promotion. A few key questions remain:

1. Will current champions and top fighters be willing to leave existing promotions to join Dana White’s organization?

2. How will the rankings and championship belts be structured?

3. Will Saudi Arabia become the permanent home for major events under this promotion?

Dana White’s track record with the UFC suggests that he has a clear roadmap for success. If he can bring the same level of organization, entertainment value, and fight quality to boxing, this new promotion could quickly become a dominant force in the sport.

Conclusion: A Game-Changer in the Making

The partnership between Dana White, TKO Holdings, and Turki Alalshikh has the potential to change professional boxing as we know it. With a commitment to ensuring the best fight the best, eliminating unnecessary sanctioning bodies, and providing a transparent ranking system, this new boxing promotion could finally bring much-needed structure and excitement to the sport.

If successful, it will not only attract top talent but also redefine how boxing events are promoted, structured, and consumed worldwide. One thing is certain—fans of combat sports have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.