Dana White appeared for a post-fight presser over the weekend and fielded media questions, many of which were about Zuffa’s position in the sport. White would assert that he’s very comfortable with the job his company has been doing thus far, and that he’s looking forward to growing even bigger and better in the future. Here are some excerpts of what he had to say below.
White on how he’d describe Zuffa’s first year in the boxing business
“We have 25 deals in 95 countries right now. One of the big things I always tell fighters is obviously making money and all these
things are important when you’re a professional athlete, but how many people see the great things that you accomplish in your career, too…
“I’m happy with where we are in just under a year. Really happy. We’re ahead of where I thought we might be.”
On whether Zuffa has changed their position on working with sanctioning bodies
“We’re sort of dealing with that on a case by case basis and if we can work it out, we’d like to for the fighters. If we can’t, then we won’t.”
On whether he can get along with Eddie Hearn to promote Fury vs AJ
“Yeah, I don’t have a problem with Eddie Hearn. When’s the last time you guys have heard me talk about Eddie Hearn? I mean, I don’t have a problem with Eddie Hearn…You’re asking me about Eddie Hearn right now.”
On how he’d rate Zuffa’s year
“I’m happy with our first year. And for me, I’ve actually had a good time this year. I’ve had a good time, you know, working in the sport, on the sport, with the team that I’ve built. We’ve had a good time and we’re happy with where we’re at just a few months into our first year.”
On if he anticipates having more US cards in the coming year
“I think more cards, period. Everywhere. I think you’ll see us just like the UFC, taking the fights everywhere, all over the world, not just the US and the UK.”
On the split with Shakur Stevenson
“Well, I don’t think we let Shakur go without a fight. I mean, we worked together and we were on a call one day and I said ‘maybe it’s just better if we all go our separate ways’ and everybody agreed.
“It just didn’t work out. You win some, you lose some.”
On how he plans to take over boxing when the biggest names in the sport are aligned with other promoters
“Well, we’re like eight or nine months into this thing. We’ll see how it all plays out.”
On whether he feels he needs to make it up to the British public for trying to take Fury vs AJ outside of the UK
“[Long pause]…No. I think that obviously when tickets went on sale, it killed it. It did incredibly well and I think it would’ve done well at Madison Square Garden, too.”
On who is deciding the undercard of Fury vs AJ
“Well, we made some fights on the undercard…I’m not going to get into this stuff. I’ll see you in Cardiff, though.”
