Turki Alalshikh and Dana White have today announced a new agreement that will see them start a new boxing promotional company.
The multi year partnership will feature a highly structured system to develop new talent from around the globe, including athlete combines and academies to find the best boxing prospects.
The new organisation will also allow access to boxers to utilise the UFC performance centre institute, regarded as one of the leading combat sports performance centres in the world.
It also appears that with the new fight league the promotion will look to adopt the UFC model of ranking fighters with only one world title belt per each weight division.
Further details including fighter signings, fight schedules, venues and host locations are due to be revealed in the coming months.
Dana White on new promotional company plans
Dana White expressed his excitement on the new venture in a breaking interview to The Ring Magazine, stating that the new promotion can ‘fix’ boxing.
“I’m excited, I wouldn’t be where I am without boxing, the sport of boxing is where I started, I felt like it was something that couldn’t be fixed until this guy (Turki Alalshikh) turned up,” said the UFC president.
He also shared his gratitude to his new partner Turki Alalshikh for his impact on the sport of boxing over recent years with interest in the sweet science at its peak.
“He’s done more for boxing than any promoter in the history of the sport combined, he’s invested more money, more energy and more passion in to this sport than ever,” stated White.
He added, “I didn’t know what to think when we first met, he and I have become close friends in a really short amount of time and there aren’t a lot of people that I would do a deal like this with, he’s the only guy to be honest with you.”
“What he’s done for the sport is incredible and I’m looking forward to it.”
The 55-year-old was questioned on how their model for the new promotional company with a format that is likely to follow the UFC rankings.
“The best fight the best, you work your way up the rankings and once somebody breaks into the top five there’s no question who the best five guys are in each weight class and they fight it out,” stated the American businessman.
“Once somebody holds that belt 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 its a really simple model,” he added.
Turki Alalshikh speaks on new promotion
Turki Alalshikh continues his heavy investment in the sport of boxing and believes the addition of Dana White will see it reach new heights.
he said, “This landmark partnership between industry powerhouses sets the stage for an unparalleled experience for boxers and fans, Together we are developing the next generation of talent and delivering world-class events at a time when the sport is primed for further disruption.”
“If you want to fix boxing or any sport, for doing a big project like this you will not have any options better than Dana White.”
“We have the same vision and I trust this league in a short time will crush everything,” he added.
