UFC CEO Dana White’s boxing dream, which has been in the works for more than a decade, has finally become reality under a new partnership between TKO Group Holdings, Inc. and Saudi’s General Minister for Entertainment, Turki Alalshikh.
“This landmark partnership between industry powerhouses sets the stage for an unparalleled experience for boxers and fans,” Alalshikh said in today’s release. “Together, we are developing the next generation of talent and delivering world-class events at a time when the sport is primed for further disruption.”
The link connecting Turki and TKO will be Saudi entertainment company Sela.
Boxers signed to the new promotion will have access to the UFC Performance Institutes in Las Vegas, Mexico City, and Shanghai. TKO will serve as managing partner with executive leadership by White and WWE President Nick Khan.
“This is a strategic opportunity to reimagine the sport of boxing globally,” added President and Chief Operating Officer of TKO, Mark Shapiro. “TKO has the deep expertise, promotional prowess, and longstanding relationships. Turki Alalshikh and Sela share our passion and vision for evolving the current model. Together, we can bring the sweet science back to its rightful place in the forefront of the global sports ecosystem.”
A date and venue for the promotion’s boxing debut has yet to be determined.
“The model is proven to deliver the fights that the fans want to see,” White said on Twitter. “The best will fight the best, and the fighters will continue to move up the rankings and become world champions. We will continue to make announcements on where you can watch and all the rest of the details of the business as we get closer to the launch. I’ll see you soon.”
Whether or not this new announcement changes Turki’s pricing plan remains to be seen.
This story originally appeared on MMA Mania
