Dana White did not hold back when addressing a fresh legal headache tied to this weekend’s boxing card, declaring that boxing is the least organized sport he has ever come across.
Speaking to reporters after UFC Contender Series week five, White was asked about a cease and desist letter sent by legendary boxing promoter Don King regarding the Jai Opetaia match scheduled for Saturday. King reportedly held a virtual call that included White and is seeking to have the co-main event pulled from the card entirely.
White confirmed the match is going forward regardless of King’s objection.
“He’s competing this weekend,” White said. “And here’s the thing, I mean, if you look at us over the last 25 years and now that we’re in boxing, this sport is the most unsophisticated sport that I have ever seen. It’s messed up for a reason. I’ve said this a million times.”
White pushed back on any suggestion that he or the UFC had done anything improper with respect to King’s dealings with his athlete, pointing to the promotion’s long track record of staying out of existing contracts.
“I’ve always had good dealings with Don,” White said. “Have you ever seen a scenario with us where we go in and try to interfere with somebody’s contract? We just don’t do it. We don’t do it.”
The comments come during a massive week for White and TKO’s push into boxing, with Ryan Garcia set to headline against Conor Benn on Saturday. White was also asked whether lessons learned from last year’s Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford card would carry over to this weekend’s event.
“I thought it went obviously very well last year and hopefully it goes just as smooth this year,” White said.
He also addressed questions about Conor Benn’s weight cut after concerned journalists raised questions about photos circulating from camp, along with WBC weight standards for the bout.
Asked directly if Benn was on track to make weight, White was succinct.
“Yes,” White said.
When pressed further on whether there was a plan B in place given ongoing doping allegations tied to the Opetaia fight, White dismissed the idea outright.
“No,” White said. “There’s no need for a plan B. We would never go into a fig ht where we didn’t have the rights to do the fight and the contract wasn’t valid.”
