Dana White Mocks Eddie Hearn After Boasting $600 Million Boxing Achievement

Dana White reminds British promoter Eddie Hearn of his accolades after the latter challenged him to compete for the best boxing promoter.

Dana White Mocks Eddie Hearn After Boasting $600 Million Boxing Achievement

Dana White responds to Eddie Hearn's callout (via MMA Fighting, The Independent)

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There has always been a heated back-and-forth between the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts, particularly when it comes to who hosts the bigger events and receives the brighter spotlight. Promoters from both sides have not hesitated to take shots at each other. That dynamic once again came into play when UFC CEO Dana White decided to fire back at comments made by boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

The UFC CEO has never been one to shy away from confrontation, and over the years, he has built a reputation for responding quickly and bluntly to criticism. In this case, White made sure to remind Hearn that his influence isn’t limited to MMA alone. He pointed out how he has been at the center of some of the most historic combat sports spectacles in modern history.

Hearn recently criticized White’s plans for reshaping the boxing management structure ahead of the Terence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez superfight. The English promoter believed that he wanted to prove himself as the better boxing promoter and compete with the UFC CEO. However, White playfully accepted Hearn’s challenge and reminded him of his accolades while he was attending The Jim Rome Show.

My guy Eddie Hearn, whom I love and I respect him, and I saw him today, he is out there talking smack, and he’s like, ‘Dana is wrong, he cannot do this, what’s he doing that’s different, and I look forward to competing against him to show that I am the better boxing promoter.‘ I look forward to it, too, Eddie. You know I love this stuff.

Dana White via The Jim Rome Show

However, White also reminded Hearn that he was part of two of the three most significant boxing events in history, excluding Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao. White was part of the historic fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor in 2018, which garnered almost 4.3 million PPV buys. He is also the driving force behind the Crawford vs Alvarez superfight, which is set to be one of the biggest boxing events in recent times.

All you boxing guys out there that wanna talk all your smack. Three of the biggest fights in boxing history: Pacquiao vs Mayweather, Mayweather vs McGregor, and now Canelo vs Crawford. I have been a part of two of the biggest three fights ever in the history of boxing. Suck on that one, boys!

Dana White on The Jim Rome Show

Hearn has long been regarded as one of boxing’s most successful promoters and is the chairman of Matchroom Boxing. He has consistently collaborated with elite names in the sport, such as Anthony Joshua and Katie Taylor. His comments about White’s role in boxing were meant to challenge the UFC boss, but White’s sharp response ensured that the spotlight shifted right back onto his accomplishments

While the two promoters have been in a never-ending competition for greatness, there have also been moments of mutual respect. In the end, the exchange between White and Hearn is just another chapter in the ongoing rivalry between promoters representing different worlds of combat sports. For White, the statement was a reminder that when the biggest fights in history are discussed, his name cannot be left out.

Eddie Hearn dismisses Dana White’s “Contender Series” plan for boxing

Eddie Hearn has never been shy about voicing his opinions on the way combat sports are promoted, and his latest comments were directed toward Dana White’s vision for boxing. When asked about the UFC boss referencing the “Contender Series” model, Hearn made it clear that he doesn’t believe the formula can translate successfully into the boxing world.

Dana White Eddie Hearn
Dana White Eddie Hearn (via The Mirror)

The British promoter compared the idea to what was initially suggested for the TKO Boxing League. He described it as a setup featuring lower-level fighters and young prospects that promoters hope can be developed into future pay-per-view stars. While acknowledging the intent behind it, Hearn bluntly dismissed the effectiveness of the approach, stressing that boxing doesn’t function the same way.

It’s what I said the league was. It’s lower-level fighters and young prospects who they believe they can build into big pay-per-view stars. I don’t think it works. These guys are very powerful and very clever, and I’m sure they’re going to come up with something compelling, but in boxing, that’s not a new format. That’s been done before.

Eddie Hearn via Uncrowned Combat

In his view, the sport has too many variables, from promoters to networks to sanctioning bodies, for such a system to thrive. Hearn argued that boxing’s current structure makes it harder to consistently build stars from the ground up through a league-style format, and for that reason, he stood firm on his statement.

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