Hearn on Dana White and Turki Alalshikh’s Boxing Reforms: “We Are Real Boxing”

Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn responded to the attempts by Dana White of TKO Boxing and Turki Alalshikh to introduce changes to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.

“We are real boxing. I mean it. We don’t want to change the ring; we don’t want to change the Muhammad Ali Act. This is how we operate — transparently, with Ennis, his advisor Everett McNeely, and his team. I don’t want to hide the show’s earnings. These guys can see them, and Ennis makes a lot of money. He deserves it because he’s a star.

In boxing, most of the show’s revenue goes to the fighter. In MMA, most of the money goes to the promoter. Good luck to [White]. I wouldn’t complain. But that’s not how we do it in boxing. And I’m not interested in fake belts. I’m not interested in changing the Ali Act, the ring size, or the rules.

I’m interested in the greatness of boxing. What you see here — this is real boxing greatness. I want to see fighters like Ennis, who I believe can become one of the next greats — like Hagler, Hearns, Whitaker, all those legends — he’s got that kind of talent. And our belts matter,” said Hearn.

According to the proposed amendments to the Ali Act, new boxing promotions could be formally established without being required to disclose event profits to fighters.