Oscar De La Hoya has long been a vocal critic of Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing project and he’s drawing from a recent pop culture phenomenon for his latest volley.
Citing Christopher Nolan’s hit film The Odyssey, the boxing legend explained why fans shouldn’t be fooled by Zuffa Boxing boasting about huge paydays for major signings, because that kind of money is likely to become rarer and rarer if more fighters flock to White’s fledgling promotion.
“So I saw The Odyssey the other day,” De La Hoya said in
Instagram video. “It was about the Greeks and how they invaded the city of Troy by disguising themselves inside a Trojan Horse. They tricked their enemies to get inside their gates and the rest is history. Today, Zuffa Boxing is the Trojan Horse.
“They are overpaying a few boxers to make it seem like this big money will continue, but it won’t. Once they monopolize the sport like they want to, Zuffa will pay fighters peanuts, exactly like the UFC. It’s the same model. They want to change the Muhammad Ali Act so they can operate as their own league with their own rules, their own rankings, their own unicorn belt. They’re luring in the biggest names for fight-by-fight deals. No long contracts. That’s why you see Shakur and Conor fighting a one- or two-fight deal. Never a long-term deal. But again, this is the Trojan Horse.”
Despite launching a little over a year ago, Zuffa Boxing has managed to ink several big-name boxers including Shakur Stevenson, Conor Benn, and Jai Opetaia. The trio were reportedly signed to short-term contracts for millions of dollars, reigniting a controversy over the relatively low pay of average UFC fighters, the same fighters who sacrificed their health and well-being to help build White’s empire.
In De La Hoya’s opinion, the controversy only aids White and company’s preferred message.
“They are overpaying the household names in order to look pretty and gain credibility,” De La Hoya said. “So more up-and-coming fighters will sign with them, and mark my words, once they get you to sign, they’re going to scale all payment back just like they have with the UFC. That’s the goal.
“The problem is the younger generation feels this kind of money will be available to them at Zuffa Boxing, but the truth is that they’ll be tricked into a very shitty contract where they must fight for only the unicorn belt, the Zuffa belt and The Ring belt, which lost all its credibility. It’s now a joke.”
White has frequently stated his goal is to disrupt the boxing establishment and with a handful of events under his belt now, the results have been mixed. However, De La Hoya argues that Zuffa Boxing has succeeded in establishing a foundation similar to the UFC and if aspiring fighters buy into the project, they will be sorely disappointed.
“Here’s an example of how they’re already making up their own rules,” De La Hoya said. “Ring Magazine rules state that if you fail to schedule a fight in two years against a top 5 contender, you will be stripped. That means Jai Opetaia should have been stripped in May because he chose to fight a cab driver in Zuffa’s basement instead of a top 5 contender. But Ring Magazine didn’t strip him. Why? Because Zuffa makes up their own rules. Even the IBF stripped Jai Opetaia of their belt because they don’t recognize the Zuffa unicorn belt that they keep trying to push down fighters’ throats.
“And poor Jai Opetaia, I feel so bad for him because Zuffa has him suing the IBF on their behalf. He’s literally fighting the legal fight for Zuffa, it’s truly disgusting. Look, once they have their monopoly, nobody will get paid anymore. They need all of you to be hooked in by this ridiculous overspending you’re seeing right now, but that cannot be sustained. Just like LIV Golf. So don’t be the city of Troy, guys. Don’t sell out and don’t open your f*cking doors. The writing is on the wall. And ‘Uncle Fester,’ f*ck you.”
TOP STORIES
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Pain. Magomed Ankalaev calls losing Alex Pereira championship rematch “the worst day of my life.”
Rankings. Could Paddy Pimblett actually become UFC lightweight champion someday?
Once. Dana White confident “there’s never going to be another Conor McGregor.”
Damn. Saturday’s PFL Washington D.C. event has lost Shamil Musaev from its headlining bout.
Off. And UFC 330 has also taken a hit with Erin Blanchfield being forced to withdraw.
VIDEO STEW
Mike Heck chats with Magomed Ankalaev ahead of UFC Abu Dhabi.
Between the Links.
UFC Abu Dhabi ceremonial weigh-ins.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Giant Swing!
Yikes.
Game on.
He’ll be back.
Yes.
Adding to the repertoire.
Real ones know.
What is dead may never die.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jovan Leka (13-2) vs. Alexander Poppeck (21-5, 1 NC); UFC Belgrade, Aug. 1
Darren Elkins (29-12) vs. Yadier del Valle (10-1); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8
Amanda Lemos (15-6-1) vs. Alexia Thainara (14-1); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8
Diego Ferreira (19-7) vs. Billy Quarantillo (18-7); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8
Ty Miller (7-0, 1 NC) vs. Billy Ray Goff (9-4); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8
Juliana Miller (4-4) vs. Ravena Oliveira (7-4-1); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8
Steven Asplund (7-2) vs. Guilherme Pat (6-1); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8
Louie Sutherland (11-5) vs. Jose Montanha (5-1); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8
Diyar Nurgozhay (11-2) vs. Bruno Lopes (14-3); UFC Vegas 120, Aug. 8
FEED ME MORE
The age-old question.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Big thanks to Jed Meshew for holding things down on the Morning Report while I was on vacation. I’m back and ready for UFC Abu Dhabi! Don’t forget it’s an early morning card, so be up bright and early Saturday to catch the show.
Magomed Ankalaev fights for the first time since his ill-fated Alex Pereira rematch, that’s pretty cool, right?
EXIT POLL
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