In the recent weeks as the discussion over the revisions made to the Muhammad Ali intensifies, a sub plot has emerged in war with words between longtime boxing promotor Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing and the head of the UFC Dana White.
With White, now the head of Zuffa Boxing as well, looks to amend the Ali Act which is designed to protect fighters and to ensure financial transparency in boxing, Hearn finds himself across the ring looking to let the Act be. White states the amendment to the act he and others are supporting gives the fighters’ choice, Hearn holds firm the changes is White’s attempt to have the business of boxing mirror MMA’s model with each promotor ranking and awarding their own belts.
Although other promotors have not publicly stated if they will work with Zuffa Boxing or not, Hearn has and it’s a forceful no. Hearn has also gone as far as to state he is not recognizing Zuffa Boxing’s titles. He has referred them as “fake belts” and that he is looking to focus on the greatness of the sport of boxing and not introducing new titles or the systems under the Zuffa banner.
By his part Dana White has mostly dismissed Hearn’s comments. White accused Hearn going off the deep end and acts as if he’s reading a WWE script. White also states he is not really all that concerned of what other promotors are doing and believe they lack vision.
Hearn has not said he is doubling down in the traditional boxing structure and will look for the fighters under his banner to go after one of the traditional four belts in boxing, the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO, and to continue to emphasize transparency and fairness fighters.
Although Hearn is opposed to White proposed tactics in boxing, he does say he welcomes his incursion into the sport since he sees it as motivation in the emerging rivalry. In recent statements, Hearn has expressed his readiness to engage in this “battle” to determine who is the premier promoter in the sport.
Other Musings
-Famed trainer Robert Garcia has publicly stated the reason the Sebastian Fundora vs Vergil Ortiz Jr, who he trains, has not been made is because the WBC does not mandate certain fights to protect fighters, in this case Fundora. Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the WBC, took great offense of the statement and responded to Garcia expressing he didn’t know why Garcia was “attacking the WBC.”
-In a controversial ending, Fabio Wardley stopped Joseph Parker in the 11th round for the interim WBO heavyweight title. Despite not going down to the canvas, the referee determined Wardley hurt Parker enough to stop the fight despite the defending champion not only defending himself but counterpunching. With the win, Wardley sets himself up as the lead contender to face Oleksandr Usyk.
-Two-divisional world champion Luis “Panterita” Nery of Mexico made a successful debut in the featherweight division with a technical decision over Thai Sathaporn Saart in Kyrgyzstan.
