Dana White’s boxing pay structure refuted as legend Terence Crawford draws UFC comparison

MMA supremo Dana White to stage UFC boxing league by spreading out net-profit participation; Terence Crawford gives reality check.

Dana White’s boxing pay structure refuted as legend Terence Crawford draws UFC comparison

Terence Crawford says undercard boxers even make more than Dana White's UFC perpetual headliners (Source: X/IMAGO)

UFC CEO Dana White recently partnered up with Saudi GEA boxing chief Turki Alalshikh for a multi-year partnership league. This marks White and UFC’s first official foray into a boxing league of its own. However, the structure around the structure for leading boxers and prospects has stirred a storm. The most recent to pitch in was Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford.

The recent TKO-powered league payouts took fans on a frenzied ride. UFC’s boxing league venture would see $20,000 per pro bout to start, and just about $50,000 unless one gets into the top 4 rankings. Dana White later claimed that unlike boxing now, his league would have it more structured and disbursed throughout the ranks, not just top-heavy. Terence Crawford didn’t buy into it.

UFC, a guy headlining at the Sphere, they’re probably getting a couple million dollars. But you’ll see a guy on the undercard of a [boxing] show, making more money than that guy.

Terence Crawford via the “Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudo” Podcast
YouTube video

‘Bud’ was part of the ginormous Terence Crawford-Kendrick Lamar botch at the Noche PPV that produced some $21,829,245 in live gate income. Under Saudi GEA didactics, White’s dream venture saw headliner Sean O’Malley bank within a $3,000,000 bracket.

Additionally, $1,100,000 extra came from a portion of gate and PPV buys. He also earned a Promotional guidance compliance payout of $42,000, i.e., $4,142,000 all-in. It would have been more, along with a win bonus.

Terence Crawford said even undercard boxers make a guaranteed purse more than that. So, the disparity is huge when compared to boxing itself. Concurrently, low-tier fighters will also make a lot less than higher ones at $125,000 (rank #3-4).

This system of ‘net-profit participation‘ according to one’s boxing rankings also slams what the ‘Muhammad Ali Act‘ was meant to stop. One thing is apparent – this UFC boxing league will be a culture of its own, out of the norms.

Dana White uninterested in boxing’s major sanctioning bodies

From rankings to belts to purses, there are four major sanctioning bodies to look after the science behind the “sweet science.” However, the splintered 4-belt era did catch flak for damage control from time to time. Everywhere, it was just commission loadout, and everyone had some belt or the other. There was no ‘best’ of the best. Dana White came into boxing thinking he needed to change that.

Dana White and UFC boxing league to be one of a kind
Dana White and UFC boxing league to be one of a kind (Source: X)

The boxing leagues play more than just an integral part in upholding the Muhammad Ali Reform Act. However, White is not keen on their methods and practices. During a recent sit-down with boxing journo, Dan Rafael, the UFC head honcho said he and TKO Holdings won’t be working with any of these bodies.

I am going to create our own belt. But, we got to figure that out. I am not interested in working with sanctioning bodies. I have no interest in it whatsoever…These sanctioning organizations will continue to exist. Eddie Hearn isn’t going anywhere, he is still going to be around. And all these other guys that will still be promoting the sport of boxing are still going to be there and still do everything, I’m assuming, they way they always did.

Dana White during The Pat McAfee Show for @espn
YouTube video

Rafael reminded the UFC CEO that Saudi GEA does put up mega-events following these four bodies. While he does get the bill of being a thorn in the open combat sports market, White nudges this wasn’t to be some mere boxing monopoly. He is willing to align with sanctioning bodies, but not on what he’s working on. Consequently, he knows he’ll be up against other promoters in boxing.

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