Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya rejects the claim of UFC CEO Dana White, who disputes the idea that MMA fighters are moving to boxing to make more money.
In 2017, UFC superstar Conor McGregor jumped into boxing to earn the biggest payday of his career in a crossover fight with Floyd Mayweather.
Several other former UFC fighters have made the jump to boxing in recent years to earn career-high salaries against social media star Jake Paul.
And more recently, Francis Ngannou stepped away from the UFC heavyweight title to pursue more lucrative opportunities. Last October, he bagged the biggest purse of his career in a boxing match with WBC world champion Tyson Fury. And now, on March 8, Ngannou will receive another big payday when he takes on former two-time champion Anthony Joshua.
De La Hoya feels there is no doubt that MMA fighters are making more money by switching to boxing.
“The only thing I have to say about it is that I think I heard Dana White say something about, ‘These MMA fighters aren’t making more money in boxing.’ All I can say or do is laugh,” De La Hoya told MMA Mania. “Are you kidding? Why do you think MMA fighters go to boxing and cross over to make money?
“That’s the bottom line. And test his ability, which is admirable because an MMA fighter who gets into a ring with an elite fighter not only needs balls but also has to believe in himself and his ability. And that is admirable. When Dana White says they aren’t making more money, it’s nonsense. They are making tons of money inside the ring in boxing. That is the conclusion. That’s why you’re seeing Joshua with Ngannou. These guys are warriors.
“When Dana White says they’re not making more money, it’s bullshit! They are making tons of money inside the ring in boxing. That is the conclusion. That’s why you’re seeing Joshua with Ngannou. “These guys are warriors.”
