UFC CEO Dana White announced a new boxing league under the TKO banner back in March. The league will be led by White and WWE President Nick Khan, following a deal signed between Turki Alalshikh and TKO Group Holdings.
Recently, it was revealed that a blockbuster bout between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford will headline the debut boxing event under the TKO banner. The event is scheduled to take place on September 12 in Las Vegas, with White set to promote it.
Fans React As Dana White Set To Promote TKO’s Debut Boxing Event
White has often expressed his appreciation for boxing, but he has also been a vocal critic of other boxing promotions. He has accused them of protecting their fighters from losses and pointed out that the existence of too many promotions and multiple championship belts has contributed to the sport’s decline.
Fans on social media are excited about the debut TKO boxing event. ESPN Ringside shared the news on X, prompting a wave of reactions from MMA enthusiasts in the comments section. One fan (the official BetOnline account) expressed their excitement for the event, writing, “Starting with a bang!”.
Starting with a bang! 💥
— BetOnline (@BetOnline_ag) May 4, 2025
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Another boxing fan expressed excitement for Álvarez vs. Crawford, commenting, “I’m actually excited for this fight—I think they’re going to bring the best out of each other.”
Im actually excited for this fight I think they’re gunna bring the best out of each other. #teambud
— Puerto Rock🇵🇷 #4BeltEra (@PuertoRockBox) May 4, 2025
One X user expressed disappointment, suggesting that White and Alalshikh are going to take over the sport of boxing and hurt the fighters, writing, “This is the final nail in the coffin for boxing. Dana and Turki are going to monopolize boxing and ruin payouts for fighters. (Honestly, they’re overpaid.) I don’t like the direction boxing is going.”
This is the final nail in the coffin for boxing. Dana and Turki are going to monopolize boxing and ruin payouts for fighters. (Honestly they’re over paid) I dont like direction boxing is going.
— Valentino Meras (@Rasa_libre) May 4, 2025
One fan commented, “What a way to get in the game.” Another MMA fan suggested that the fight announcement has already gained significant attention and doesn’t require much promotion, adding that White will likely take credit for the event’s success: “He’s promoting a fight with two undisputed P4P legendary boxers. This fight will need little promo to sell… This is a layup and he’s gonna try to take credit watch.”
“So 5% for each fighter and 90% to TKO? Interesting,” one fan reacted. This will be a great start for TKO boxing, as Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford are among the biggest names in the sport. With White, who has had great success promoting UFC fights, it will be interesting to see how the UFC CEO shapes this new venture.