{"id":126896,"date":"2025-09-10T05:42:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T05:42:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/126896\/"},"modified":"2025-09-10T05:42:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T05:42:12","slug":"why-is-dana-white-promoting-canelo-alvarez-vs-terence-crawford-and-what-is-the-ufc-presidents-role","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/126896\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is Dana White promoting Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford and what is the UFC president&#8217;s role?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>UFC CEO Dana White is working alongside Saudi promoter Turki Alalshikh to promote this weekend&#8217;s superfight.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/who\/canelo-alvarez\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Canelo Alvarez<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/who\/terence-crawford\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Terence Crawford<\/a> are <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/boxing\/3524634\/canelo-alvarez-vs-terence-crawford-tv-live-stream-ppv-where-to-watch\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">set to go head-to-head on September 13, in Las Vegas.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Canelo and Crawford is boxing's biggest event and White has been integral to bringing it together\" height=\"640\" width=\"960\" data-credit=\"Getty\" data-img=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1757482929_333_saul-canelo-alvarez-terence-bud-1021934333.jpg\" data-caption=\"Canelo and Crawford is boxing's biggest event and White has been integral to bringing it together\"   loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1757482929_333_saul-canelo-alvarez-terence-bud-1021934333.jpg\" role=\"img\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>3<\/p>\n<p>Canelo and Crawford is boxing&#8217;s biggest event and White has been integral to bringing it togetherCredit: Getty<\/p>\n<p>Alvarez will put his undisputed super-middleweight titles on the line in a blockbuster bout that will be <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/boxing\/3524634\/canelo-alvarez-vs-terence-crawford-tv-live-stream-ppv-where-to-watch\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">broadcast live on Netflix<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Crawford is attempting to do the impossibly by moving up two weight classes from 154lbs to 168lbs, in what is being dubbed &#8216;the fight of the century&#8217; by Saudi boxing chief Alalshikh.<\/p>\n<p>The event promises to break new boundaries in many ways, but none more so than for UFC president White.<\/p>\n<p>It will be the American&#8217;s first venture into squared circle promotion after such a successful venture in MMA, making the UFC a brand now valued at $11.3 billion.<\/p>\n<p>Why is Dana White promoting the fight?<\/p>\n<p>The event comes as TKO Group Holdings signed a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/boxing\/2988825\/dana-white-turki-alalshikh-new-boxing-promotion-ufc\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">multi-year partnership<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/boxing\/3002984\/dana-white-boxing-league-turki-alalshikh\/#:~:text=Dana%20White%20is%20aiming%20to,not%20going%20to%20do%20that.%22\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">to establish a boxing league<\/a>, with the financial-backing of Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh.<\/p>\n<p>In June it was announced that the brand would be part of Zuffa, the parent company of the <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/topic\/ufc\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">UFC<\/a>, as the ball began rolling for White&#8217;s boxing league.<\/p>\n<p>According to\u00a0The Ring, Zuffa Boxing are hoping to stage a total of 60 events in the next five years, spread out into 12 each year.<\/p>\n<p>While this isn&#8217;t White&#8217;s first venture into boxing, as in the past he has staged fights before UFC event cards that have been shown on the service.<\/p>\n<p>This weekend&#8217;s fight will mark his first foray in partnership with Alalshikh.<\/p>\n<p>It will be one of many mega events that White is looking to put on, to build up yet another successful commercial empire.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"White is out to monopolise the boxing scene after his huge success in the UFC\" height=\"540\" width=\"960\" data-credit=\"Getty\" data-img=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/crop-3507711.jpg\" data-caption=\"White is out to monopolise the boxing scene after his huge success in the UFC\"   loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/crop-3507711.jpg\" role=\"img\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>3<\/p>\n<p>White is out to monopolise the boxing scene after his huge success in the UFCCredit: Getty<a href=\"#\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The main differences between the two pound-for-pound greats are weight and height, with both men seeming fairly well matched in the other aspects\" height=\"720\" width=\"576\" data-credit=\"\" data-img=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1757482931_241_canelo-crawford.png\" data-caption=\"The main differences between the two pound-for-pound greats are weight and height, with both men seeming fairly well matched in the other aspects\"   loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1757482931_241_canelo-crawford.png\" role=\"img\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>3<\/p>\n<p>The main differences between the two pound-for-pound greats are weight and height, with both men seeming fairly well matched in the other aspects<\/p>\n<p>The promotion will look to disrupt the politics in boxing and look to make the biggest fights, while challenging traditional formats to rankings and coverage.<\/p>\n<p>What roles will Dana White play in Canelo vs Crawford?<\/p>\n<p>The MMA mogul is preparing to execute his new role, after announcing earlier this year: &#8220;I want to break this sport down and build it from the ground up like we did with the UFC, so I\u2019m on a different path.\u201d<a href=\"https:\/\/bloodyelbow.com\/tag\/boxing\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<p>White will be involved with separating the face-offs, as he did previously when <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/boxing\/3321211\/terence-crawford-canelo-alvarez-dana-white-turki-alalshikh\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">a physical altercation broke out on the promotional press tour.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>As well as also hosting the press conferences in the lead up to Saturday night.<\/p>\n<p>What do we know about the undercard for Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford?<\/p>\n<p>The action begins two days before the main event, <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/boxing\/3507254\/canelo-alvarez-terence-crawford-world-title-fight-undercard\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">with the &#8216;Underdogs&#8217; card<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Jermaine Franklin returns from a period of inactivity for a heavyweight clash with Ivan Dychko on the prelim coverage.<\/p>\n<p>What about the preliminary and fight night undercard?<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/faces-off-mexicos-canelo-alvarez-1014743327.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"article__content--intro\">Fight night:<\/p>\n<p>MAIN EVENT: Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford &#8211; For the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring undisputed super middleweight titlesCallum Walsh vs Fernando Vargas Jr. &#8211; Light middleweightChristian Mbilli vs Lester Martinez &#8211; For the WBC interim super middleweight titleMohammed Alakel vs John Ornelas &#8211; Lightweight<\/p>\n<p>Prelim fights:<\/p>\n<p>Serhii Bohachuk vs Brandon Adams &#8211; middleweightIvan Dychko vs Jermaine Franklin &#8211; heavyweightReito Tsutsumi vs Javier Martinez &#8211; super featherweightSultan Almohamed vs Martin Caraballo &#8211; super lightweightSteven Nelson vs Raiko Santana &#8211; light heavyweightMarco Verde vs Marcos Osorio-Betancourt &#8211; super middleweight<\/p>\n<p>The American made his mark on the British scene after suffering two losses on points to Britain&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/who\/dillian-whyte\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dillian Whyte<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/who\/anthony-joshua\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Anthony Joshua<\/a>\u00a0in 2022 and 2023.<\/p>\n<p>The main undercard coverage is expected to begin from midnight UK time with the main event ring walks at around 4am UK time, with exact timings to follow.<\/p>\n<p>On <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/boxing\/3525366\/canelo-alvarez-vs-terence-crawford-undercard-callum-walsh\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">the main undercard<\/a> event fans will see Dana White&#8217;s boxer Callum Walsh face Fernando Vargas Jr as the chief-support.<\/p>\n<p>As well as Christian Mbilli meeting Lester Martinez and Mohammed Alakel fighting John Ornelas.<\/p>\n<p>While most fighters are vying for their chance to fight the winner of Canelo and Crawford&#8217;s blockbuster clash, Mbilli will certainly be hoping his performance on the night will earn the opportunity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"UFC CEO Dana White is working alongside Saudi promoter Turki Alalshikh to promote this weekend&#8217;s superfight. Canelo Alvarez&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":126897,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[2560,6102,9554,21762,101,9553,715,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-126896","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-boxing","tag-boxing","tag-boxing-news","tag-canelo-alvarez","tag-dana-white","tag-sports","tag-terence-crawford","tag-ufc","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126896","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126896"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126896\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/126897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126896"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=126896"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=126896"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}