UFC CEO Dana White intends to be fully involved when Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford potentially square off in what could be the biggest boxing match of 2025.
Speaking on Saturday night after UFC 316, White aimed to quell any speculation that he was no longer participating in the promotion of the Canelo vs. Crawford event. Rumors had circulated following a social media post by his business partner, Turki Alalshikh – the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and a primary financier of the new boxing venture backed by the UFC’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings. Alalshikh`s post suggested that Sela would promote the event and that it would air on DAZN pay-per-view.
This post came after Alalshikh had initially announced White as the event`s promoter, positioning it as the debut event for the TKO partnership in boxing.
White asserted unequivocally that he is still actively working on the Canelo vs. Crawford fight and that his relationship with both Alalshikh and Saudi Arabia remains as strong as ever.
Reacting to the latest rumors concerning his involvement, White highlighted a peculiar aspect of the boxing world.
“I`m going to tell you what’s awesome,” White said. “There’s a lot of f*cked-up things about boxing, but they don’t say shit. Nobody talks. It’s the most amazing thing. If we sign a deal [in the UFC], I’ve got to f*cking get out my phone quick [and announce it], because 9,000 people will be out there talking about it. These guys don’t talk.”
He reiterated his role clearly:
“I’m promoting the fight [between Canelo and Crawford]. I’ll let you guys know when it’s time to let you know.”
The most recent update regarding the planned event is that the fight is scheduled for September 13th, although the specific location has yet to be determined.
White anticipates that comprehensive details about the Canelo vs. Crawford clash, including the date, location, venue, and all other relevant information, will be officially announced in the near future. He stated that he is not concerned with ongoing discussions on social media or elsewhere.
“I’m in my own little world,” White remarked. “I don’t pay attention to any of that shit. I know what’s going on, I know what we’re doing. I don’t really pay attention to that stuff. It doesn’t matter to me.”
Regarding his working relationship with Alalshikh, White offered full assurance that there have been no significant issues or disagreements between them.
While they may not communicate daily, White is confident that his relationship and partnership with Alalshikh are robust as they prepare to launch this new boxing initiative together, beginning with the high-profile Canelo vs. Crawford bout expected in September.
“We’re good,” White simply stated. “We’re very good.”
Alalshikh apparently shares this sentiment, having recently posted on Twitter to confirm that White is indeed the promoter behind the Canelo vs. Crawford fight and that more announcements are forthcoming.
“My brother Dana will promote this fight,” Alalshikh wrote on Sunday. “It is the fight of Riyadh Season, and we have a deal with TKO to promote it. It will be the biggest fight in boxing, and tomorrow I think I will tell the details and the platform and the place for this fight, me and Dana.”
