Dana White Promises to Impose UFC Treatment on Boxing After Canelo Alvarez’s Dreadful Fight

Is Dana White and HE Turki Alalshikh’s new TKO Boxing venture exactly what the sport needs? Many fans think so. With boxing bogged down by promotional politics, endless weight divisions, and mandatory challengers being sidelined—like David Benavidez’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, refusing to greenlight a fight with Dmitry Bivol, despite Benavidez being the mandatory challenger (although Bivol later showed no interest), the UFC Prez’s “The best fight the best” mission sounds like a breath of fresh air. In an industry where even Floyd Mayweather Jr. allegedly tried to delay the fight to give up 20% of his purse to ex-manager J Prince before fighting Phillip N’dou in 2003, it’s clear the sport’s structure has long needed shaking up.

In Canelo Alvarez’s last outing against William Scull, the two combined for just 445 total punches, the lowest ever recorded in a 12-round bout in the promotion’s 40-year history. Even Caleb Plant weighed in, saying, “No, I don’t think it’s the same Canelo. Not quite.” But with Terence Crawford now jumping up two weight classes to challenge the two-time undisputed super middleweight champion, Canelo believes this one won’t be a “boring” fight anymore. So, can Dana White recover the losses from UFC 315 in Canada with a blockbuster Canelo headliner this September?

Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford Set to Explode on Fight Weekend

As Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena prepares to headline UFC 315 on May 10, Dana White took the mic during the pre-fight press conference. Speaking candidly in an interview with MMA journalist Carlos Contreras Legaspi, White opened up about his next big challenge: promoting the upcoming Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford bout. This marks the second fight in Canelo Alvarez’s four-fight deal with HE Turki Alalshikh, and for Dana White, it’s much more than just a new venture.

When asked how it feels to promote his first boxing event, “This one’s the biggest fight ever,” he said. “And obviously I’m honored to be promoting, but yes. When they say we’re promoting it, I’m doing the promotion, we’re doing the production, the events, the PR, I mean everything to do with the fight just like the UFC fights.” He also confirmed that the weekend will be packed, with UFC Noche taking place alongside the boxing spectacle. “It’s a bad-ss weekend fight,” White added.

Though Dana White sounds confident about his first foray into boxing with the Canelo vs. Crawford, the same energy doesn’t quite extend to UFC 315. With just days to go, the numbers aren’t trending well for the Canadian card. So how bad is it?

Current projections estimate pay-per-view buys between 100,000 and 200,000. Even with a midpoint estimate of 150,000 buys at $79.99 each, that would only generate around $12 million in revenue. But if you compare that to what’s expected from the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight, and it’s night and day. Bud Crawford is reportedly earning $50 million, Canelo Alvarez $150 million, and the anticipation alone suggests a blockbuster in the making.

In fact, the 41-0 boxer believed the fight has the potential to surpass the $440 million mark set by Mayweather–Pacquiao, citing the historic and cultural significance of a “Black vs. Mexican” showdown. So now, if Dana White believes this fight will be a blockbuster, he might be absolutely right. Even Jaron Ennis’ father has thrown his support behind it. How, you ask?

Canelo Alvarez’s Next Opponent? Straight Outta Streets

With both fighters boasting four-division world titles and having once reigned as undisputed champions, it’s no surprise that fans are split for the Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford bout. And now, one voice that’s entered the conversation, surprisingly, belongs to Jaron Ennis’ father and trainer, Bozy Ennis.

Reflecting on Canelo Alvarez’s most recent outing with William Scull that many deemed underwhelming, Ennis pointed out a potential flaw. Speaking with YSM Sports Media, he noted, “With Canelo, he gets frustrated if he can’t touch you, you know what I mean.” But that’s not all.

September 14, 2024, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: SAUL CANELO ALVAREZ 62-2-2-39KOs of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico defeats EDGAR BERLANGA 22-1-17KOs of Brooklyn, NY by a unanimous decision 118-109, 117-110, 118-109 during PBC on Prime boxing at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Las Vegas USA – ZUMAo117 20240914_zsp_o117_127 Copyright: xMikaelxOnax

When asked about Bud Crawford’s chances against the Guadalajara native, Bozy didn’t hesitate. “Great chance,” he said. “Terence can box, Terence can move, Terence can punch. Terence isn’t going to be Scull. Terence will fight you. He’s Terence from the streets man, he knows that to do. When it comes down to it, I think he’s going to wind up frustrating Canelo.”

In his eyes, Bud Crawford’s style may be the key to unlocking a major upset. As fans count down to the long-awaited clash, the hype continues to grow. For years, the debate over who would win between Canelo Alvarez and Bud Crawford has simmered, and now, with just a few months to go, it’s finally set to be answered. So—who’s your pick? Terence Crawford or Canelo Alvarez?

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