Dana White and Turki Alalshikh may already have a target date in mind for the highly anticipated debut of their newly launched joint venture.
On Tuesday, UFC CEO White and Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority chief Alalshikh officially unveiled a groundbreaking multi-year partnership to launch a new boxing league under the TKO banner.
According to a press release, WWE president Nick Khan will serve as a key figure on the promotion’s executive board. Saudi entertainment giant Sela has joined the venture as a major partner. The company has been instrumental in organizing high-profile boxing events featuring superstars like Anthony Joshua and Terence Crawford.
During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Turki Alalshikh and Dana White delved into their partnership. Amid their conversation, the Riyadh Season chief subtly hinted that the debut event for their new boxing promotion could be set for September, with Sept. 12 likely being the target date.
However, White remained tight-lipped about a specific date for the promotion’s first event. The 55-year-old UFC boss teased that they have a blockbuster fight in the works.
“When it’s time to announce, we have a massive fight – and this is literally exactly what I’m talking about – a massive fight that only this guy [Alalshikh] could make happen,” White said. “Only this guy could make a fight like this happen. We will announce it when we’re ready to. This is the guy who’s literally brought boxing back.”
Sept. 12 could very well mark the debut of the newly launched boxing promotion, as it falls within Mexican Independence Week — a time traditionally reserved for major boxing events. Around this time almost each year, boxing icon Canelo Álvarez typically steps into the ring, and this year he’s expected to clash with Crawford in a superfight on Sept. 13.
The new promotion will implement a comprehensive system designed to cultivate emerging talent from across the globe, featuring athlete combines and dedicated academies.
Boxers will have access to the world-class UFC Performance Institutes, while TKO will oversee all aspects of event production, both for broadcast and live arena experiences.
