Dana White, the charismatic president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has long expressed his desire to venture into the world of professional boxing. However, the owners of the UFC, TKO Group Holdings, are not yet ready to fully commit to this endeavor, preferring a more measured and strategic approach.

Unlocking the Potential of the Sweet Science

Dana White's passion for boxing is no secret. The outspoken promoter has been vocal about his plans to dive headfirst into the sport, promising to make major announcements in early 2025. White's belief in the enduring appeal of boxing is unwavering, as he notes that "people have been talking about the demise of boxing for 30 years, and we're still here talking about boxing right now."

Guns Blazing: White's Ambitious Vision for Boxing

White's vision for boxing is ambitious, to say the least. He has already been backing the undefeated Irish prospect Callum Walsh, and he has made it clear that a more significant investment into the sport is on the horizon. "I have always had an idea of how I thought it should be done," White said. "I don't know if that's possible, but we're going to find out. I'm coming in guns blazing."

Cautious Approach from TKO Group Holdings

However, the owners of the UFC, TKO Group Holdings, are not as eager to jump into the boxing arena as White. During a quarterly earnings call, TKO Group Holdings' president and chief operating officer, Mark Shapiro, addressed White's comments about getting involved in boxing sooner rather than later. Shapiro made it clear that "some off the cuff comments from Dana White do not translate into a strategy that we're communicating to the street."

Navigating the Complexities of the Boxing Landscape

Shapiro acknowledged that boxing is a complex and fragmented landscape, stating that "at its best, it's confused and fragmented. At its worst, it's broken." While he recognized the potential growth opportunity for TKO in the sport, Shapiro emphasized that the company would approach any involvement in boxing in an "organic way, not [mergers and acquisitions] way."

Leveraging Expertise and Partnerships

Despite the cautious approach, Shapiro acknowledged that TKO has access to deep expertise and longstanding relationships in the boxing world through Dana White and WWE president Nick Khan. If TKO were to get involved in boxing, Shapiro said they would "expect to do so in an organic way, not [mergers and acquisitions] way. So i.e. we're not writing a check. If we launched the vertical at any time, we kind of see it as doing it with a partner that would fund it and pay us to operate."

Exploring Opportunities, Mitigating Risks

Shapiro's comments suggest that TKO is open to exploring opportunities in boxing, but only if the right conditions and partnerships are in place. The company is not willing to make significant financial investments or take on substantial risks, preferring a more cautious and strategic approach. As Shapiro stated, "Once we have something — if we have something — you'll be the first to know."