Dana White on Becoming Press Secretary: “I have a lot of jobs..”

[0:02] Go ahead, sir. [0:03] Hey, Dana. [0:04] Great cards and great fights tonight. [0:06] A big win for Shev Clark. [0:07] What did you make of that main event? [0:09] Yeah, yeah. [0:10] It was a great fight. [0:11] You know, he couldn't have looked any better. [0:15] Yeah. [0:16] And for Chris Billum-Smith, do you think there's a way back for him now? [0:19] I'm assuming he'll take some time out. [0:20] But what do you think going forward will come next for him? [0:23] Yeah. [0:23] I mean, you're going to have to ask him that when he comes in. [0:27] Yeah, take some time off, get his head together and figure out what he wants to do next. [0:32] Love the kid. [0:33] Love him. [0:34] We saw earlier today a post on True Social from President Trump saying that you've been [0:40] offered the job as press secretary of the United States. [0:44] You've obviously acknowledged that on your story as well at the moment. [0:46] Can you tell us a little bit about that and your reaction to his post? [0:50] I'm flying to Washington, D.C. right now. [0:53] Yeah, straight after this? [0:54] Yeah, right now. [0:56] And you do a lot. [0:57] How do you believe you could balance what you do at the moment alongside that? [1:00] How do you believe you could balance? [1:05] You know, you do a lot with the UFC. [1:07] Yeah, I got a lot of jobs already. [1:09] Yeah. [1:10] Yeah. [1:11] Can you tell us about some of the conversations you've had with him about that? [1:14] No. [1:14] I'm going to meet with him. [1:16] We have a meeting on Monday, so I'm sure I'll have more to talk about after that. [1:21] Watch this space. [1:23] Huh? [1:23] Watch this space. [1:24] See what happens. [1:25] What do I expect? [1:26] No. [1:26] Yeah, just watch this space. [1:28] See what happens. [1:28] Cheers. [1:28] Thank you. [1:33] Yeah, watch the space. [1:35] Sorry, I'm just saying. [1:36] What does that mean? [1:37] Just see what happens, basically. [1:38] Yeah, yeah. [1:38] Yeah. [1:39] Yeah. [1:39] I have a meeting on Monday. [1:41] I'm flying to D.C. right now, and I'm sure we'll have something to talk about after that. [1:45] Thank you. [1:46] Thank you. [1:46] Hi there, Dan, over here. [1:48] Mm-hmm. [1:48] The boxing business is a brutal business, but nonetheless, you guys have done a fantastic job. [1:53] We spoke about this yesterday, but in less than a year, you guys have managed to put on more shows than majority of the major promoters. [2:00] You've also managed to have one of the largest rosters of active fighters. [2:05] On top of that, you signed massive network deals with some of the biggest broadcasters in the world. [2:10] How would you describe your first year in the boxing scene? [2:13] Well, thank you, sir. [2:14] I think you just summed it up for me. [2:16] Like, we have 25 deals in 95 countries right now. [2:20] One of the big things that I always tell fighters, obviously making money and, you know, all these things are important when you're a professional athlete. [2:30] But how many people see the great things that you accomplished during your career, too? [2:35] I mean, you heard Ryan Rosinke saying, I fight like this all this time after the last CBS fight, but nobody ever seen it. [2:41] This is the first time people have actually got to see, you know, the way that I fight and my style of fighting. [2:48] So, I'm happy with where we are, you know, in just under a year. [2:53] Really happy. [2:54] We're ahead of where I thought we might be. [2:58] Hi, Dana. [2:59] This was your fourth show. [3:01] How did this show compare to the others you've done? [3:04] Good. [3:05] It was a great show. [3:06] I like the fights. [3:07] Do you like the fights? [3:09] Yeah. [3:09] Yeah. [3:09] Especially the last one. [3:11] Yeah. [3:12] Yeah, I like the girls' fight, too. [3:13] The girls' fight was competitive and fun. [3:15] And, yeah, it was a good night. [3:17] Any more plans for London, England? [3:20] Yeah, yeah. [3:20] I mean, we're on the network here. [3:23] So, we're in business with these guys. [3:25] And I love it over here in London. [3:27] So, yeah, we'll be back. [3:29] Thank you. [3:30] Yes, sir. [3:30] Hi, Dana. [3:31] Just, you mentioned Bentley and Mosley as the fight of the night. [3:36] You probably, in that second round, you had a contender for maybe round of the year, basically. [3:41] And how good that second round was. [3:43] That was a beautiful one-two we dropped them with. [3:44] And the fact that Mosley got back up and continued to fight and went the distance in that fight is pretty awesome. [3:56] Dana, could we see Denzel Bentley fight either Callum Walsh or Aaron McKenna next? [4:00] Obviously, they're both probably the next biggest middleweights in the Zuffer roster. [4:04] I could. [4:06] Yes, sir. [4:07] And Jai Oppatier announced to fight Deontay Wilder as well. [4:11] What was the thought behind that? [4:12] Obviously, Jai being a cruiserweight going up to heavyweight for that fight card. [4:15] Yeah, well, I just think that, you know, the cruiserweight division is pretty exciting right now. [4:23] A lot of good guys. [4:24] And Jai Oppatier is willing to fight anybody and fight all the time. [4:29] So, that fight. [4:31] And, you know, you're hearing about Usyk talking about moving down. [4:34] So, interesting and fun and a huge fight for Jai. [4:38] I mean, you know, to be on that card and to have a fight with, you know, such a globally well-known guy like Deontay, it's a good fight for him. [4:50] With Jai being such a good position at cruiserweight, is there a bit of jeopardy going into a fight like Deontay Wilder? [4:56] Yeah, yeah, no, I don't disagree with you. [4:58] I don't disagree with you, but he wanted to do it, you know? [5:03] And we've seen you've signed a WBC world champion, Carlos Adames, as well. [5:08] Obviously, it was announced on the poster that he was WBC champion, where previous champions, when they've held previous titles, haven't been announced as such with Zephyr. [5:16] Have Zephyr changed their stance on the kind of quote-unquote traditional titles? [5:23] Has it changed my stance? [5:24] Listen, I've talked about this a bunch of times, you know, we're sort of dealing with that on like a case-by-case basis. [5:32] And if we can work it out, we'd like to for the fighters. [5:36] If we can't, then we won't. [5:39] Does it get ever, would that ever get in the way of Zephyr signing a fighter? [5:42] No, no, definitely not. [5:44] Thanks, Dana. [5:45] Yep. [5:46] Dana? [5:46] I think they would get in the way of signing a fighter if he's under contract with somebody else. [5:50] Dana, just on Carlos Adames there, obviously the fight was announced quite late. [5:56] Has there been any drug testing ahead of this fight between Carlos Adames and Jerome Warburton? [6:02] Not that I'm aware of. [6:04] Okay. [6:05] So for a WBC world champion, do you think that's appropriate to not be drug tested? [6:12] For a WBC world champion, don't you think that's appropriate to not be drug tested? [6:20] No, that it's not appropriate to not receive drug testing. [6:26] Well, everybody's going to be drug tested. [6:28] But you just said you don't know if there's drug testing. [6:30] Well, everybody's going to be drug tested as they lead up to a fight. [6:37] But you don't know if it's happening? [6:40] Okay. [6:42] So what are you asking me? [6:43] I'm asking if there's been any drug testing. [6:45] I don't know. [6:45] We'll find out for you. [6:46] We'll get you that information. [6:47] Okay, thanks. [6:48] You're welcome. [6:49] Dana? [6:50] Dana over here? [6:52] Over here, mate. [6:53] Yep. [6:53] A brilliant night at boxing. [6:55] I presume the next time you're going to be in the UK is for AJ versus Fury. [7:00] First of all, you know, in your words, you are promoting the fight. [7:06] Is there a world where you and Eddie Hearn can just get along with each other and promote the fight together and shake hands? [7:12] Or have we just gone too far for that? [7:15] Yeah, I don't have a problem with Eddie Hearn. [7:18] When's the last time you guys heard me talk about Eddie Hearn? [7:21] I mean, I don't have a problem with Eddie Hearn. [7:24] Well, you spoke about him a few days ago about, you know, potentially boxing in a random London gym. [7:29] First of all, did you genuinely mean that? [7:31] Yeah, yeah, yeah. [7:31] Well, because the guy asked me about it. [7:34] When have you ever heard me just walk in a room and start talking about Eddie Hearn? [7:37] Unless you guys, you're asking me about Eddie Hearn right now. [7:42] Overall, we've finished almost at the end of 2026 with Zuba Boxing. [7:49] How would you rate the year? [7:52] Because you told us a few times to, you know, judge us by the end of the year. [7:56] And now we are at the end of the year. [7:57] So how would you, you know, rate Zuba Boxing? [7:59] I'm happy with our first year. [8:01] And for me, you know, I've actually had a good time this year. [8:05] I've had a good time, you know, working in the sport, on the sport, with the team that I've built. [8:15] We've had a good time. [8:16] We're happy with where we're at just a few months into, you know, into our first year. [8:21] And what are we expecting in 2027 for Zuba Boxing? [8:23] More American cards? [8:27] Yeah, I think more cards, period, everywhere. [8:29] You know, I think, you know, you'll see us, just like we do with the UFC, taking the fights everywhere all over the world. [8:38] Not just the U.S. and the U.K. [8:40] You said in a Deontay Wilder podcast that you're, you know, you're trying to make sure that American boxing, you know, takes over the world of boxing like Britain has. [8:51] With the likes of, you know, letting Shakur Stevenson go without a fight, how are you exactly planning to do that for 2027? [9:00] Trying to make sure that American boxing, you know, takes over the world of boxing like the British has. [9:06] But letting Stevenson go without a fight, are you exactly planning to do? [9:12] Well, I don't think that we let Shakur go without a fight. [9:18] You know, we worked together and we were on a call one day and I said, maybe it's better if we all just go our separate ways. [9:24] Everybody agreed. [9:27] I don't know what your question is. [9:29] What's your question about American boxing? [9:32] My question when you... [9:33] My goal is to bring, you know, boxing back to America for people to care about the sport again in the United States. [9:42] You're asking me if I can do that without Shakur? [9:43] Well, I'm asking you more about how do you exactly plan to do that when you sign Shakur Stevenson and, you know, and he was your marquee siding and, you know, you let him go straight away without a fight. [9:56] Can you understand why that does... does it look like... [10:00] That just didn't work out. [10:01] You win something, you lose something. [10:04] Thank you. [10:04] Dana. [10:05] Dana. [10:05] Dana, just here. [10:07] A follow-up on that question about American boxing. [10:10] You said you want to sign all the top talent in America. [10:13] The most marketable names in American boxing, David Benavidez, has re-signed with PBC. [10:19] Boots Ennis has re-signed with Matrim. [10:21] Bam's with Matrim. [10:22] Haney's with DAZN. [10:23] If Tank comes back, he's probably going to be with PBC. [10:26] How do you intend to sign all those guys and work with them if they're all tied up in contract? [10:32] Well, we're like eight or nine months into this thing. [10:36] We'll see how it all plays out. [10:37] Dana, Eddie said this week, Eddie Hearn, that you will only be allowed of the AJ Fury presser [10:44] if he allows you to. [10:45] Is that true? [10:46] Okay. [10:47] Is that true, Dana? [10:49] We'll see. [10:50] If you want to go on fight week, will that be your decision? [10:55] Yes. [10:56] Thank you. [10:57] Dana, congratulations on a good show tonight, just over here. [11:00] We saw Denzel Bentley call out Connor Ben tonight. [11:03] Is that something you would like to see? [11:05] And is there any discussions about it? [11:06] I don't know. [11:09] I mean, that just happened 30 minutes ago. [11:12] We'll see what happens. [11:14] And is there any plans in the next six months for Connor Ben to get out there? [11:18] Yeah, yeah. [11:19] We're talking about Connor. [11:20] Yep. [11:20] Just back onto the topic of Eddie Hearn. [11:23] When we spoke to him a few weeks ago, he reckoned that zipper could be extinct within 10 months. [11:28] What's your comment on that? [11:33] Just back onto the topic of Eddie Hearn, we spoke to him a few weeks. [11:37] He reckoned that zipper could be extinct within 10... [11:41] Oh, was that Zufa? [11:42] Yeah. [11:43] Oh, okay. [11:48] Any comment? [11:48] Any word on that? [11:49] What would be my comment on that? [11:51] Guys, I don't care what Eddie says. [11:53] I don't hear this shit unless I come here in front of you. [11:56] I don't care what Eddie Hearn says. [11:59] And last one from me. [12:00] Just back onto Mazzy. [12:02] Great performance again tonight. [12:04] You reckoned he could be on that AJ Fury undercard. [12:07] Is that just a tease, or is that something that could be possible? [12:11] No, I'm probably going to do it. [12:14] Dana, I know you don't make fights straight after an event, but Denzel... [12:17] But I did that one. [12:19] But Denzel fought tonight, and I know you've got Aaron McKenna and Carlos Adamas. [12:24] If he was to fight Aaron McKenna, would you rather do that in London or in Ireland? [12:30] Well, I don't even... [12:30] I mean, there's a few options for him. [12:33] I don't know which one yet or where. [12:35] I haven't even thought about it. [12:36] But those are definitely good options. [12:38] Yeah, Dana, how you doing? [12:41] Hi. [12:42] Just a quick one. [12:43] Shev Clark beat, obviously, Callum Smith, former world champion. [12:48] What's next for Clark now? [12:54] What's next for him? [12:55] Yeah, what do you reckon's next for Clark? [12:57] I don't know. [12:58] I mean, he just fought 30 minutes ago. [13:00] We'll see. [13:01] Obviously, a great win for him. [13:03] He couldn't have looked better and put himself in a great position. [13:06] Hi there, Den. [13:07] Over here again. [13:08] Figure it out. [13:08] Yeah, yeah. [13:09] So someone mentioned Carlos Adamas and the drug testing. [13:11] So I just thought I'd clarify things. [13:13] The WBC all champions are assigned to a clean boxing program where they have to be enrolled [13:19] for year-round testing. [13:20] So drug testing is not an issue for the WBC champion, Carlos Adamas. [13:25] So I'd clarify that. [13:28] Okay. [13:29] Hi, Dana. [13:30] Just one last thing there. [13:31] You mentioned about Denzel and it was mentioned there about Aaron McKenna and the possibility [13:35] of Ireland. [13:36] Given the recent event that we saw in Croke Park, the massive exhibition, would that be [13:43] something you would like to revisit if maybe if it was in Ireland, Croke Park? [13:47] I've been talking about Croke Park for years. [13:50] You know, we've talked about Conor McGregor going there too. [13:54] So I am always looking to do the biggest, you know, possible fights that we can do. [14:02] So yeah, Croke Park would be great. [14:06] Dana, a couple of questions here, just back here. [14:09] At the Fury vs. Anti-Joshua launch press conference, unfortunately when your name was [14:14] mentioned, it was met with resounding boos from the British boxing public. [14:17] Do you feel that you have to make up anything to the British boxing public that might resent [14:21] you for trying to take the fight away from the UK? [14:32] Do I feel that I have to make up anything to the British boxing public that might resent [14:37] me for trying to take the fight away from the UK? [14:40] No. [14:41] I think that obviously, you know, when tickets went on sale, it killed it. [14:48] It did incredibly well. [14:49] And I think it would have done well at Madison Square Garden too. [14:51] Are you concerned about the current situation regarding some of the investment to some of [14:58] the Saudi projects, the likes of Live Golf have recently on the way to dissolving? [15:02] Are there any concerns about the investment in terms of boxing and the future of that, [15:06] considering what's going on in the Saudi climate? [15:10] Why would I be concerned about Live Golf? [15:14] What's that got to do with me? [15:15] It's about PIF and their willingness to invest in forms of entertainment, including sports, [15:22] including boxing. [15:23] Yeah, I'm not in business with the PIF. [15:25] No, I know, but it seems like the general direction from Saudis are to pull back investment [15:33] to sports and entertainment. [15:37] Yeah, no, I'm not concerned at all. [15:40] Outside of that, there have been conversations surrounding Denzel Bentley and his position [15:44] with the world title. [15:46] Of course, he didn't fight or defend for the world title. [15:48] What was your thoughts about Denzel not being able to continue to be champion tonight and [15:52] moving forward? [15:55] I don't know. [15:56] We'll have to work on that and figure out what everybody wants to do. [15:59] So who's deciding who's on the undercard for Fury versus Joshua? [16:04] You announced recently Wilder vs. Topside, but who's currently controlling the decision [16:07] making regarding that undercard? [16:13] Well, we made some fights on the undercard. [16:15] The likes of Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren, weren't there fighters on the undercard? [16:19] The pitch of a few for that card, including prospects and bigger names, like I think Joe [16:24] Cordy and Pacquiao was one of them. [16:26] Is that something that you all get together and discuss, or is there someone that's designated [16:30] to make that final decision? [16:34] Is there someone that's designated to make that final decision? [16:38] Nah, I'm not going to get into this stuff. [16:43] I'll see you in Cardiff, though. [16:44] Could you say how much input you have into that? [16:46] Nah. [16:48] Nah. [16:49] I know. [16:51] Eddie Hearn said a couple of weeks ago, just one on this. [16:55] I don't care. [16:56] But let me just tell you. [16:56] I don't give a shit. [16:57] Yeah, but he said- [16:58] Why do you guys keep talking to me about Eddie Hearn? [17:00] I don't care. [17:01] Well, he said something- [17:01] What Eddie Hearn is doing, saying, where he's going, what the fuck he's doing, I could [17:06] care less. [17:07] He said something significant about Conor Benn. [17:08] He feels that you will not be able to reach an agreement for his next fight because he'll [17:13] want too much money and you'll try and match him with a high-risk opponent. [17:16] What's your response to that? [17:18] Okay. [17:19] Is there any truth to that? [17:22] I don't give a shit what Eddie Hearn thinks. [17:26] You guys love the Eddie Hearn thing. [17:28] I'm over the Eddie Hearn thing. [17:31] I get it. [17:32] He lives here. [17:33] You guys love it. [17:35] I don't care. [17:35] Literally, the only way I hear what Eddie Hearn says is if she tells me what Eddie Hearn [17:39] says. [17:40] I don't hear any of this shit. [17:41] Or unless I come over here and you guys say it. [17:44] Just one on Conor. [17:46] He was reportedly paid $15 million for the pro-grade fight. [17:50] Some people believe that the figure he's paid is affecting guys like Shakur who want [17:56] similar money. [17:57] What's your response to people who say that? [18:03] Well, what we paid Conor is affecting the Shakur. [18:08] That's completely natural. [18:11] Completely natural. [18:13] He didn't request anywhere near that for any of his fights? [18:16] I mean, that's between us. [18:19] I mean, that's business shit behind the scenes. [18:23] If you want to ask Shakur that question, ask him that. [18:27] I'm not going to talk about it. [18:28] We all decided to go our own ways and everybody's happy with the decision. [18:33] And, you know, if you want to ask about money, ask Shakur. [18:38] Hey, Dana. [18:39] Just here. [18:40] Yeah. [18:42] Brilliant event tonight. [18:43] Just how happy are you with the talent pool that's currently in the UK? [18:46] This has been fun for me this year. [18:48] I've had a good time and, you know, we're happy with the position that we're in heading [18:54] into our, you know, first year and we're excited about next year. [18:58] Van Hooter went 14-0 tonight. [19:01] Just here, Dana. [19:02] Van Hooter went 14-0 tonight. [19:05] What's your plans with him building him in America? [19:08] Yeah. [19:08] I mean, this kid is an absolute stud. [19:11] So young. [19:13] Handled the pressure well. [19:14] And, yeah, I want to put him on the A.J. [19:19] Fury card. [19:20] So just got to find an opponent who's next. [19:24] Again, Dana, just here. [19:25] Yes, sir. [19:25] Go ahead. [19:26] How likely are we to see more Zufa cards elsewhere other than London? [19:30] I know we've seen Bournemouth and obviously in Ireland as well. [19:34] How likely we've seen him in Birmingham or Manchester? [19:36] That's pretty good in our first eight months. [19:37] Yeah, very good. [19:38] Yeah, I think we're going to go everywhere. [19:41] I want to go to Australia too. [19:43] So, yeah, we're going everywhere. [19:47] Maybe Europe? [19:49] Yeah, everywhere. [19:53] Dana, could we get a comment on the rumor regarding an injury, [19:55] an apparent injury to Tyson Fury? [19:57] Is there any truth in that rumor that's come out? [20:00] Yeah, I don't know anything about that. [20:02] I didn't hear that rumor until I landed here. [20:06] I think a guy from Sky Sports asked me the question, [20:08] but I haven't heard it and I haven't heard it since for nothing negative. [20:16] All right, Dana, could I just ask how you found your experience [20:19] in promoting boxing compared to UFC? [20:25] I mean, it's been great. [20:26] I've had a good year. [20:27] I've had fun. [20:28] So I don't have anything bad to report about being in the business [20:32] my first eight or nine months, [20:36] and I didn't think that would be the case, [20:38] but it's been great. [20:41] No complaints. [20:41] Dana, Connor Ben did say he was offered a fight [20:46] on the AJ Fury card for Manny Pacquiao. [20:49] Is that something you'd be looking to make early next year? [20:55] Connor Ben said he was offered a fight on the AJ card with Manny Pacquiao. [21:01] Is that something you'd be looking to do? [21:03] I don't know. [21:04] We'll see. [21:05] Thank you. [21:05] We're definitely, you know, obviously talking to Manny too. [21:09] Thank you. [21:10] Yeah. [21:12] Dana, sorry, another quick one. [21:14] Chris Billsworth's team seemed to be disappointed in the immediate aftermath [21:17] that the referee came in and stopped the fight [21:20] from your opinion from where you were at ringside. [21:22] Do you think it was potentially an early call at all? [21:28] I thought it was. [21:30] Yeah, I thought it was. [21:31] My guy Harrison disagreed with me and said that he thinks CBS was really hurt [21:36] and it was a good stoppage. [21:39] But I thought it was early. [21:41] Only CBS can answer that question when he comes in here. [21:44] Good. [21:48] All right, guys. [21:48] Thanks. [21:49] Thanks.