Matchroom Boxing CEO Eddie Hearn had strong words ahead of Dana White’s upcoming entrance to the boxing scene with Zuffa Boxing.
TKO president and chief operating officer Mark Shapiro revealed earlier this
month that Zuffa Boxing’s first show is planned for Jan. 23 , the night before UFC’s first card of 2026 with UFC 324, but no further details have been announced just yet in terms of locations and athletes involved.
Hearn, however, claims that the money offered to some boxers have been low.
“I was with a manager the other day who told me about an offer that [Zuffa Boxing] made to one of their fighters,” Hearn told Boxing Social. “I couldn’t believe how bad the money was.”
The veteran promoter, who is in Miami this week for a heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul, was also very critical of White’s attempt to alter the Ali Act. The UFC has historically been against the idea of extending the Act to MMA, and now supports a Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act alongside Saudi Arabian promoter Turki Alalshikh, which would forever change the way boxing works for promoters and athletes.
“I don’t see why there should be an alteration to the Ali Act,” Hearn said. “The Act is designed to protect the fighters. Respect the fighters, protect the fighters. I’m not gonna get into a fight with Congress. I mean, they’re talking about the Geezer’s mates with Trump. What am I going to do?
“Ultimately, if they want to get it through, they’re going to get it through, aren’t they? But you know, doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know what they’re trying to do. And fighters know what they’re trying to do. But listen, if there’s an opportunity for a fighter, they’ll take it.”
