Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing promotion sees itself as the ‘new kid on the block’, aggressively pursuing changes to the sport’s legal framework in America.
The goal, it seems, is to wipe out boxing’s ‘old guard’, which includes promoters Bob Arum, Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn, in order to establish a UFC-style model.
To succeed in doing so, Zuffa must effectively become a Unified Boxing Organization (UBO), allowing it to absorb the powers of a promoter, manager and sanctioning body.
This could soon be made possible with the enforcement of its proposed Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, which threatens to introduce a controversial alternative to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.
As the landscape continues to develop, let’s take a closer look at what we know so far, with Zuffa staging its seventh event, and first on British soil, this Saturday.
Who owns Zuffa Boxing?
Zuffa is co-owned by Saudi entertainment company Sela and TKO Group Holdings, which respectively hold a 60 and 40% stake in the promotional outfit.
In a boxing sense, Sela is best known for its association with Turki Alalshikh, with their state-sponsored partnership facilitating a rise of Ring Magazine and Riyadh Season events in Saudi Arabia, and indeed on a global scale.
TKO, meanwhile, is the umbrella group for the UFC, WWE and now Zuffa Boxing. Nick Khan is a director of the company, while White serves as UFC president and Zuffa promoter.
How is Zuffa Boxing funded?
Zuffa is fully funded by Sela, which happens to be owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Earlier this year, PIF decided to pull its funding from the LIV Golf league and is, more generally, reluctant to continue investing in sports that return disappointing profits.
As of now, it remains to be seen what this change in strategy means for the future of Zuffa.
Will the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act pass through congress?
At this stage, Zuffa’s proposed Revival Act has passed through the US House of Representatives, via a majority voice vote, but is currently stalled in the Senate.
This is because Oscar De La Hoya and Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, were among those who expressed concern with the bill in April.
As a result, Senator Ted Cruz promised the proposed piece of legislation will undergo further changes, before being re-submitted and reviewed at a later date.
Without delving into too much detail, it seems crucial for the future of Zuffa that this Revival Act ultimately passes through Congress, partly because the promotional outfit is aiming to establish its own championship belt.
The inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight belt was won by Jai Opetaia in March, only for the Australian to later be stripped of his IBF world title.
This was one of the first signs that boxing’s traditional sanctioning bodies – the WBC, IBF, WBO and WBA – are not necessarily going to be amenable to the ‘new kid on the block’.
Which fighters are signed to Zuffa Boxing?
The most high-profile names signed to Zuffa include Conor Benn, Jai Opetaia, Edgar Berlanga, Richardson Hitchins, Callum Walsh, Chris Billam-Smith and Efe Ajagba.
At this stage, the majority of Zuffa’s fighters – of which there are roughly 100 – could be classed as prospects or generally less-established names.
There is mounting speculation, however, that Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez have already signed, or are at least close to signing, a lucrative deal with Zuffa.
When is Zuffa Boxing’s next event?
Zuffa will stage its first UK event this Saturday, with Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki headlining ‘Zuffa Boxing 07’ at the Bournemouth International Centre.
The undercard of their main event includes Jack Massey vs Cheavon Clarke, another cruiserweight non-title fight, as well as Lee Cutler vs Aaron Sutton and Stephen McKenna vs Casey Streeter.
On the prelims, unbeaten heavyweight prospect Harvey Dykes will take a considerable step up in levels against Olympic bronze medallist Ivan Dychko.
