In a groundbreaking move poised to reshape the boxing landscape, the parent company of the UFC and WWE has announced a new boxing league in collaboration with Turki Alalshikh and Saudi Arabia’s entertainment company Sela.
A statement released by TKO Holdings on Wednesday afternoon said the new promotion will provide a premier platform for top boxers and emerging talents, with UFC President Dana White and WWE President Nick Khan overseeing operations.
What sets it apart is the new league format, which – it is hoped – will cut down the endless squabbling and negotiations over who fights who and who is the real champion of the world.
But what does this bombshell development really mean? How will it work, who will be in charge and what does it mean for boxing as we know it? Mail Sport‘s step-by-step guide will tell you everything you need to know.
UFC boss Dana White (second from left) announced his move into boxing on Wednesday
He has signed a deal with Turki Alalshikh to form a league that will ‘make the sport great again’
A unified vision for boxing – no more WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO?
One of the most revolutionary aspects of this initiative is its commitment to streamlining boxing’s often fragmented structure.
White wants a UFC-style model where fighters must prove themselves against top contenders to hold unified championship belts, addressing the current complexities arising from multiple sanctioning bodies.
In the UFC fighters are ranked in various weight classes, and championship titles are determined by a clear and straightforward progression based on performance and rankings.
Fighters must work their way up the rankings by winning bouts against top contenders, and title fights are typically made between the highest-ranked athletes in each division. This ensures fans know who the best fighters are and how they earn their shot at a title.
In contrast, boxing can be far more fragmented, with multiple sanctioning bodies — such as the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO — each awarding their own belts. This often leads to confusion and disputes over who the ‘real’ champion is, and fighters may hold multiple belts from multiple bodies without ever facing off in a true unification fight.
White envisions adopting a UFC model where fighters must prove themselves against the best to hold the belts, addressing the complexities arising from multiple sanctioning bodies
In boxing there can be confusion and disputes over who the ‘real’ champion is in each weight class, with Britain’s Daniel Dubois (above) currently holding only one of the heavyweight belts
Speaking to The Ring Magazine about how the new promotion will operate and differ from the current format, White said: ‘The best will fight the best. There is zero speculation about the format. You know the format, everyone knows the format, the best will fight the best.
‘You work your way up the rankings and once somebody breaks into the top five, there will be no question who the best five guys in the world are in each weight class and they fight it out.
‘Once somebody holds that belt, you don’t need three letters in front of the belt; whoever has that belt is the best in the world at that weight class. It’s a very simple model.’
He added in an interview with ESPN: ‘You get rid of all the five different champions in five different sanctioning organisations. One – it will just be one.’
Who will be running the show?
TKO will serve as managing partner, providing day-to-day operational expertise, management, and oversight of the promotion, with executive leadership anchored by UFC President and CEO White and WWE President and TKO board member Khan.
White and Khan will have the full support of His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and Sela. Alalshikh told The Ring Magazine: ‘This is (White’s) call now and it is now his responsibility to deliver the people and the fans the best model of boxing.’
TKO will serve as managing partner of the operation, with executive leadership anchored by UFC President and CEO White and WWE President and TKO board member Nick Khan
Who are Sela and how are they involved?
Saudi Arabia’s involvement in this new boxing venture comes in the form of Sela and is part of its broader strategy to invest heavily in sports including golf, Formula One and football.
Sela is a Saudi Arabian company specialising in creating, constructing, and operating unique entertainment and hospitality experiences across sports, culture, and leisure sectors; most notably known for developing large-scale events in Saudi Arabia and now beyond.
Sela – through Riyadh Season, a series of events in the Saudi capital – have played a pivotal role in promoting and delivering some of the biggest international boxing events in recent years, including Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov in Los Angeles, and last September’s fight between Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, which set a new UK attendance record of 96,000.
Sela is Newcastle United’s lead sponsor and has delivered projects such as Riyadh Winter Wonderland, Formula E, and the Italian Super Cup.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, Sela is the lead sponsor of Newcastle United FC
What could the structure look like?
While specifics of the league’s structure are still under wraps, we can imagine a system designed to revolutionise how the sport operates.
It will aim to mirror the highly successful UFC model, which has become known for its unified approach to matchmaking and its focus on global viewership.
One potential structure could see a central governing body that controls all major bouts, with fighters required to compete in a clear progression based on rankings and performance, eliminating the need for multiple sanctioning bodies.
A world championship belt could be introduced into each weight class, with top fighters from around the world competing for the chance to become the undisputed champion.
A key feature of this league could be its emphasis on transparency, where the financial side of boxing — such as fighter contracts, purses, and sponsorship deals — might be made more visible, leading to perhaps more equitable opportunities for emerging talent.
Additionally, the promotion may introduce new event formats, which could include regular seasons or tournament-style bouts that build up to a climactic championship event, giving fans something to look forward to all year round.
This new Saudi/TKO venture will aim to mirror the highly successful UFC model, which has become known for its unified approach to matchmaking and its focus on global viewership
One potential structure could see a central governing body that controls all major bouts, with fighters required to compete in a clear progression based on rankings and performance
What will fight nights look like?
When discussing the new format, White said: ‘There’s a lot of fun, exciting fights to make out there, and you know how I run shows — the live events will all change, it will be much better than anything you’ve ever seen before.’
He also said: ‘My son just went to a show this weekend. He said the live event was terrible and disorganised. We are going to clean that up. We’re gonna make the events great again, too.
‘The run of show will be faster, and it won’t take nine hours to see four fights. These guys put on a fight, and then have a podcast, and then put on another fight, and have a podcast.
‘The show will run like UFC does. Fight after fight after fight.’
Will AJ and the big hitters be involved?
White has indicated that the new boxing league will feature both high-profile names and emerging talent. However, the emphasis appears to be on cultivating new talent.
White stated: ‘There’s a lot of guys out there that we’re looking at. They’re all gonna fight each other. And what people wanna see are great fights and they wanna know who is the best in the world.’
Joshua has signed a career-long promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing, led by Eddie Hearn. The specifics of this agreement have not been made public but given this longstanding partnership it seems unlikely that AJ would participate in the new boxing league.
However, considering Saudi Arabia’s significant investment in boxing and Joshua’s involvement in high-profile events under the Riyadh Season banner, the possibility cannot be entirely dismissed.
Anthony Joshua has a career-long promotional deal with Matchroom, led by Eddie Hearn (right). The specifics have not been disclosed but it seems unlikely he would join the league
When will the first event take place?
The first event is set to take place in 2026. While the promotion has yet to be formally named, anticipation is already building, with reports suggesting there will be one or two ‘super events’ each year alongside the new league.
However, speculation is growing that the first of these could take place sooner than expected, with many believing the hotly-anticipated Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford showdown in September could serve as an unofficial launch.
In February, it was revealed that Canelo had signed a lucrative four-fight deal with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season.
According to The Ring Magazine, this agreement includes: A fight in Riyadh in May 2025, a mega-clash in Las Vegas against Crawford in September 2025 and two additional fights in Riyadh in February and October 2026.
Given the scale of the Canelo vs Crawford fight — one of the biggest in modern boxing — it could serve as the perfect spectacle to introduce the new promotion, even if it remains under the Riyadh Season umbrella for now.
Given the scale of the fight between Canelo Alvarez (above) and Terence Crawford — one of the biggest in modern boxing — it could be the ideal spectacle to introduce the new promotion
Speaking about the future of the promotion and the next steps, White outlined the focus on building a strong foundation before rolling out major events: ‘Now that we’ve got the deal done, what we do now is start to build the infrastructure.
‘We’ve got to build a team, then we have to go out and get a rights deal. Whoever we end up doing a deal with, we can structure this thing to whatever the network needs. We can put on as many fights as they want.’
How does this impact Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren and the established boxing promoters?
The new league will have major implications for established promoters like Hearn, Frank Warren, Bob Arum and so on.
The key question is: will they fight back, get on board, or find a way to co-exist with a promotion that has the financial muscle to fundamentally change how boxing operates?
Hearn and Warren are no strangers to working with Saudi Arabia, having both staged major events under the Riyadh Season banner.
Warren’s Queensberry Promotions was the first to partner with Riyadh Season to bring high-profile fights to Saudi Arabia, with Hearn quickly following suit.
Since then, Top Rank, Golden Boy, and Boxxer have all aligned with Riyadh Season to host blockbuster fights, including undisputed title bouts between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, as well Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
However, the new league is a separate entity from Riyadh Season, despite both being backed by Sela. This means the sport’s traditional promoters will need to navigate uncharted territory, as the league is expected to introduce a radically different structure — one that may challenge the power and influence they currently enjoy.
The new Saudi/TKO boxing league is set to shake up the sport in ways never seen before, with major implications for established promoters like Hearn, Frank Warren, Bob Arum and so on
Eddie Hearn has been one of the most influential figures in boxing over the last two decades, transforming Matchroom Boxing into a global powerhouse, securing record-breaking TV deals, and making household names out of his fighters.
However, recent comments about his long-term future have raised eyebrows, sparking speculation about whether he sees the writing on the wall with the emergence of this new, heavily funded boxing league.
Hearn has already begun making moves behind the scenes. He recently sold a minority stake in Matchroom Sport to UK-based sports marketing agency Pitch, with the Hearn family retaining majority control.
In a recent interview with iFL TV, Hearn said: ‘It’s been well documented, we did a minority investment deal recently. There will be another stage to that and then the stage after that is to look at either a complete sale or float the business.
‘If it was to end, I would want it to end with us. Before my dad (Matchroom founder Barry Hearn) dies, he’s 76 and don’t get me wrong he’s in great spirits mentally and physically, but how long does he have left? It could be tomorrow, it could be five years, it could be 10. But there is an element of me that would quite like it to end with us.’
Perhaps most tellingly, he added: ‘The problem is, the game is never ending. It doesn’t matter what game you’re in, but when does it end? When do you walk away? Overstaying your welcome in any profession, any sport, any industry, is extremely dangerous for many different reasons.
‘There is a lot of stuff I still want to do with my life. There is a lot of stuff I have given up. It takes a lot, I have to give a lot to Matchroom but that’s why I was put on the earth. But there is a life beyond that.’
Warren is no stranger to competition. The Queensberry boss has been a main fixture in British boxing for decades, famously going head-to-head with the ‘boxing cartel’ in the 1990s and outlasting multiple rival promotions. While the new boxing league could pose a challenge, Warren may not be as vulnerable as some might think.
Warren is no stranger to competition. The Queensberry boss has been a main fixture in British boxing for decades, famously going head-to-head with the ‘boxing cartel’ in the 1990s
Queensberry Promotions recently secured a multi-year media rights deal with streaming giant DAZN, ensuring that Warren remains a major player in the sport for the foreseeable future.
However, with the Saudi-backed league aiming to centralise boxing and establish a more structured system, Warren, like Hearn, may have to adapt to the changing landscape. Will he and other promoters be given a seat at the table, or will they find themselves on the outside looking in?
What will the new league’s facilities look like?
Boxers will have access to the UFC Performance Institutes in Las Vegas, Mexico City, and Shanghai, offering world-class training facilities and support.
This access underscores the promotion’s commitment to elevating the sport by providing athletes with the resources they need to excel.
Where can I watch it?
ESPN, which has worked closely with Top Rank for years, is parting ways with the boxing giant. This opens the door for potential involvement with the new league.
Given that ESPN has extensive experience in sports broadcasting and an already established relationship with major boxing promotions, it would make sense, especially considering their desire to bring fresh, global content to their platforms.
On the other hand, streaming giants like Netflix, who have invested in high-profile documentaries and partnerships, may also want a piece of the action. Their most recent venture into combat sports came through Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s bout in Texas last November.
ESPN, which has worked closely with Top Rank for years, is parting ways with the boxing giant. This opens the door for potential involvement with the new league from other sources
On the other hand, streaming giants like Netflix may also want a piece of the action. Netflix has already invested in sports content through some high-profile documentaries and partnerships
Another intriguing possibility lies in TNT Sports, following Frank Warren’s departure. With TNT Sports now free to partner with other entities, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them involved in the new league, given the vast potential for exposure and revenue.
What are the risks of the new format?
While the new league promises to revolutionise the sport, it also comes with several risks and potential drawbacks.
One major concern is the centralisation of power under a single league. This could lead to a lack of competition among promoters, which might stifle innovation and reduce the diversity of boxing content available to fans.
Additionally, with a new structure and ranking system, there is the potential for political maneuvering and conflicts of interest.
White, for example, wields significant control over matchmaking and fighter contracts at the UFC. A notable instance of this was his refusal to meet Francis Ngannou’s pay demands for a high-profile fight against Jon Jones, yet he appears more willing to offer favourable terms to rising star Tom Aspinall.
Additionally, White has been vocal about the possibility of putting Conor McGregor into a title fight despite the fact the Irishman has registered just one win in the last six years.
These examples highlight how, even in a structured system, personal decisions and business interests can influence outcomes, making it clear that the new league could still be subject to similar power dynamics.
While the new Saudi/TKO boxing league promises to revolutionise the sport, it also comes with several risks and potential drawbacks. One major concern is the centralisation of power
Does the format align with the Muhammad Ali Act?
The exact structure of the new league has yet to be confirmed, and there is no suggestion that it will conflict with the Muhammad Ali Act.
However, if the league plans to host events in the US, work with US-based fighters, or secure American broadcast deals, there are key regulatory considerations it may need to take into account.
The Ali Act was established in 2000 to protect fighter rights, ensure transparency, and prevent conflicts of interest in professional boxing. Below are some of the key areas that could require careful consideration:
– Exclusive Promotional Rights: The Ali Act limits exclusive promotional contracts to 12 months and prohibits promoters from requiring fighters to sign long-term deals as a condition of securing major fights.
– Promoter and Manager Separation: To prevent conflicts of interest, the Ali Act prohibits promoters from having a financial stake in a fighter’s management.
– Rankings and Sanctioning Bodies: The act requires sanctioning bodies to establish clear, objective rankings and publish changes, a system currently followed by governing organisations like the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO. If the new league introduces its own ranking system, it will need to ensure transparency and fairness in fighter placement and title opportunities.
– Financial Disclosures: Promoters are required to disclose all financial details of a fight — including purses, fees, and revenue streams — to State athletic commissions. If the Saudi/TKO league operates outside of US regulatory oversight, it may not be subject to these requirements, which could raise questions about financial transparency.
We’ve seen, of course, more often than not there are plenty of loopholes in the Ali Act and most significantly, no one is enforcing it. There are plenty of people in boxing today that simply ignore the Act’s requirements.
The Muhammad Ali Act was established to protect fighter rights, ensure transparency, and prevent conflicts of interest in professional boxing. The new league would have to consider this
Ultimately, how the league is structured and where it chooses to operate will determine how it fits within existing boxing regulations — or whether it establishes a new model for the sport outside of traditional oversight.
The Verdict
This venture represents not just a fresh chapter for boxing, but a complete reinvention. One where the sport’s future could be more unified, streamlined, and widely accessible than ever before.
And for athletes, particularly those starting out, it could mean greater recognition, better financial opportunities, and a more professionalised system that elevates the sport on a global scale.
The Saudi/TKO boxing league may well be the revolution boxing needs — one that could reshape the industry for years to come.
