White will take the reins as CEO of the unnamed promotion, with WWE president Nick Khan serving as President. The venture aims to bring fresh energy to boxing and deliver the fights fans are eager to see.
White shared his excitement in a video announcement:
"BOOOOOOM!!!!! Boxing here we come. What's up guys, we have signed a deal. We just started a new boxing league with Turki. We absolutely love the sport of boxing."
He added:
"The model is proven to deliver the fights that the fans want to see. The best will fight the best and the fighters will continue to move up the rankings and become world champions."
Alalshikh expressed confidence in White's ability to lead the new venture:
"I give the flag of boxing to the best man who can handle it. We have a tough job now, but I am sure he will be delivering to the people and the fans a magnificent league and get boxing great again."
The promotion plans to launch its first event in 2026. It will feature a structured system to develop new talent, including athlete combines and academies. The UFC Performance Institute, with locations in Las Vegas, Mexico City, and Shanghai, will serve as a training hub for fighters.
TKO's team will handle the in-arena experience and worldwide broadcasts, bringing their expertise from the world of MMA to boxing. The partnership also includes Sela, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, with Alalshikh as chairman.
While many details are still under wraps, including new judging criteria and fighter payouts, the promotion's goals are clear. White and his team want to reimagine how boxing is viewed worldwide and elevate the sport to new heights.
This move marks a significant shift for White, who has dominated the MMA landscape for years as UFC CEO. Now, he's set to apply his promotional prowess to boxing, potentially transforming the sport as he did with mixed martial arts.
The announcement follows recent high-profile boxing events during Riyadh Season, which saw substantial payouts for fighters. This new venture may build on that momentum, potentially changing the landscape of professional boxing.
Fans can look forward to more details as the promotion gears up for its 2026 debut. With White's track record and the backing of powerful partners, this new boxing league could indeed pack a punch in the world of combat sports.