‘Talking like a politician’ – Dana White surprised by ‘confrontational’ Eddie Hearn in boxing promoter feud
Dana White has revealed being left ‘surprised’ by Eddie Hearn’s reaction to his move into boxing.
UFC CEO White launched Zuffa Boxing last year with the financial backing of Saudi Arabia, leaving the likes of Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn unhappy.
The British promoter criticised White and UFC‘s parent company, TKO Group, for their attempt to amend the Muhammad Ali Act and eliminate boxing’s sanctioning bodies.
Hearn welcomed the idea of going ‘head-to-head’ with White out of respect to prove he is a better promoter, and the MMA kingpin responded at the time, saying he looked forward to the challenge.
But ahead of Zuffa Boxing’s inaugural event on January 23, White explained to Stephen A. Smith why Hearn’s initial reaction took him by surprise.
“I was actually surprised with Eddie Hearn at his – I’ve been cool with him for a long time – at his take on me getting into boxing and his reaction to it,” White said.
“Very negative, very confrontational, which I found weird because it’s not his style.”
Dana White announces Zuffa Boxing 1 main event
White had revealed earlier in the interview that the first Zuffa Boxing card on January 23 would be headlined by Callum Walsh vs Carlos Ocampo.
Ireland’s Walsh has been backed by White for years and acted as the chief support act to Terence Crawford‘s win over Canelo Alvarez in September.
He is undefeated in 15 professional fights and returns to face the 30-year-old Mexican, who is 38-3, having only lost to Errol Spence Jr, Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu in his career.
Walsh vs Ocampo headlines Zuffa Boxing’s first show at the Apex in Las Vegas, just one day before UFC 324.
Smith then pressed White on whether he believed Hearn’s reaction was a result of feeling threatened by his new presence in the boxing world.
“Yeah, 100 per cent,” White responded.
“Well, he’s talking like a politician now. He’s like, ‘I look forward… We’ll beat him! We’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do that…’
“You’ve been here for 25 years, what are you talking about?
“It’s like the politician who’s running for reelection – he’s going to tell you all the things he’s gonna change and do.
“Well, why didn’t you do that in your last term? That’s Eddie Hearn.”
White is set to officially kick off his tenure as a boxing promoter with the debut Zuffa Boxing event on January 23.
While the 56-year-old played a key role in co-promoting Canelo vs Crawford alongside Turki Alalshikh last September, 2026 is his chance to prove his worth and apply the ‘UFC model’ to the sweet science.
“I’ve been talking smack about boxing for a long time, and now it’s time for me to put my money where my mouth is,” White said.
“I’m going to get rid of the sanctioning organisations. The best will fight the best. We’re going to sign all the young, up-and-coming guys.
“If you break into the top 10, and you’re still undefeated, your undefeated record means something.
“Everybody’s undefeated in boxing because nobody fights anybody, right? Everybody will fight everybody.”
Zuffa Boxing will have its own world titles and ranking system as White hopes to change the momentum in the sport in his favour.
The promotion’s first event will be streamed live on Paramount+ – a deal secured following the UFC’s monumental broadcast agreement with the streaming platform.
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