UFC/TKO’s Rumored New Boxing League: Latest Info And 5 Keys To Success

Turki Alalshikh has already made an unforgettable impact on the sport of boxing, and now it appears there will be another layer added. According to The New York Times, Alalshikh and TKO Holdings, the company that owns the UFC and WWE, are partnering to start a new boxing league.

TKO, with UFC President Dana White, would be managing partners of the new league.

There are a number of details that still need to be shared before we have the full picture of this massive step in the boxing world, but there are five things I’d expect the new league to do if they’re going to be successful.

Gradually Move Toward Signing Significant Talents

Expect undefeated super welterweight Callum Walsh to be a part of the debut roster. He has long been associated with White and most would be surprise if he’s not a part of the roster.

Aside from Walsj, the new league probably won’t draw the Terence Crawfords, Canelo Alvarezes, or Tyson Furys of the world at the start. It’s been made clear the focus would be on up-and-comers early.

MORE FOR YOU
California Wildfire Live Updates: Officials Say 5 Dead As Another Fire Breaks Out In Hollywood Hills
5 Reasons Why The Los Angeles Wildfires Are The Start Of A New Normal
Port Workers Avoid Potential Major Strike—What To Know As Union Reaches Deal With Port Operators

That’s fine, as there are ways to make that model work. However, at some point, the boxing league will need to have needle-movers on its roster.

Boxing isn’t like the NFL. People are interested in watching stars fight; league action alone won’t get it done.

UFC-Style Matchmaking

Fighters will have to accept the UFC’s more straightforward matchmaking. That’s something that hasn’t been present in boxing, but it is one of the aspects of the UFC that fans appreciate. The best fight the best, and it keeps fans engaged week over week.

The new boxing league will need to follow that formula if it hopes to be different from every other promoter in the sport.

Promote Fighters Through Social and Other TKO Brands

If the new league isn’t signing established talent, they will be charged with establishing the talent they have on their roster. The UFC understands the power of social media, and White, who was recently added to the board of directors for Meta, is completely plugged into its role in promotion and influencing.

The new boxing league must leverage social media in a major way to build stars out of the fighters they’re able to sign at launch.

Hire Major Names for the Commentary

Most people know very little about boxing—the nuances and details. While boxing has been established for much longer than mixed martial arts as a sport, the new boxing league will need to borrow a page out of the UFC’s book when it comes to onboarding new fans.

The UFC has leveraged Joe Rogan’s expertise in Jiu-Jitsu and combat sports as much as his stardom from being the host of Fear Factor and as an established stand-up comedian and successful podcast host.

The new boxing league will need recognizable personalities to become the voice of the league and educate and entertain (edutain) the masses as Rogan has done with the UFC for nearly two decades.

Mike Tyson and White are good friends. How interesting would it be if Tyson worked as an analyst for the new league? I would not rule it out as a possibility.

Grand Production

White isn’t a fan of the high-maintenance, superlative walkouts that you see in the UK with boxing or in Saudi Arabia for Riyadh Season, but fans love it. White has pushed almost all of the right buttons with the UFC, but I’m hoping he allows outside influences to help shape this aspect of production.

I’d temper major expectations for the new boxing league that seems imminent, but color me excited for a respected new entity in the Sweet Science.