Boxing used to be at the forefront of American sports and was once considered an integral part of American sports history. It has now become the sport that you watch once a year when Manny Pacquiao fights a hand-picked opponent.
Boxing needs to see Pacquiao vs. Mayweather. Fans want to see it. The sport needs it. To make this fight happen, boxing needs someone who can take the faded, boring sport that boxing has become and bring it back into the spotlight. Boxing needs a Dana White.
To the general audience and anybody who has seen the Ultimate Fighter, Dana White is crass and an ego-maniac. To the MMA world, he is the savior of a sport that used to fight in gutted warehouses. MMA has now attained national prominence with a recent deal with Fox Sports – all thanks to Dana White.
The numbers do not lie. In 2006, UFC’s PPV revenues were nearing the $223 million mark, while boxing compared poorly with only $177 million for boxing on HBO. In 2007, www.blog.complete.com decided to measure hits on all major sport websites. UFC took the lead in website popularity increases, growing 106% from 2010 to 2011. This statistic does not include other professional MMA organizations, such as Strikeforce, K-1 and/or Dream. UFC ranks 6th as the most-visited sport on the web and, based on the developing numbers, will eventually surpass the NHL in website visits.
But, the story is not only about the numbers. It is about a man trying to protect the MMA from becoming the creepy, sleaze bag sport that professional boxing has become.
Dana White operates very simply, pitting the best against the best. Regardless of the fighters’ nationality, fighting style or personality, Dana White gives the audience what they want. If these fighters choose to ignore the call of the fans or fight poorly in a match up, Dana White calls them out. Need proof? Ask Anderson Silva. Several fights ago, Dana White berated Anderson Silva for his passionless performance and still crticizes him today. Not many boxing promoters publicly carry and voice the same sentiments as their fan base, but Dana White does that and more. In September 2011, Dana White awarded a $70K bonus to Brian Ebersole for knocking out Dennis Hallman who was wearing some very questionable purple man thong that was NOT approved prior the match up. Dana White simply echoes the voices of the masses.
Currently, the UFC is fueled by the talented and humble fighter Jon Jones, who exemplifies a Tim Tebow-like faith. Jon Jones has decisively beat Rampage Jackson, and Lyota Machida, both former lightweight heavyweight champions. Dana White is willing to put the best fighters in the Octagon so there is no room for debate as who should be the champion. It may be simple thinking, but it is honest. Boxing needs an honest man to cut through the bullshit surrounding the “unofficial” May 5th fight date, someone who can make it happen.