Tag: Showtime Boxing

Dana White uses ONE Championship production blunder to take another dig at Showtime Boxing President

Dana WhiteDana White just can’t help himself. The UFC CEO has never been shy when it comes to his feelings about Showtime Boxing and Showtime Sports President Stephen Espinoza. Over the last week, the pair have been firing shots at one another, all kickstarted by White who had an almost giddy reaction to a report that […]

Dana White

Dana White just can’t help himself.

The UFC CEO has never been shy when it comes to his feelings about Showtime Boxing and Showtime Sports President Stephen Espinoza. Over the last week, the pair have been firing shots at one another, all kickstarted by White who had an almost giddy reaction to a report that Showtime Boxing would end its nearly 40-year run following the conclusion of the 2024 schedule.

Espinoza didn’t take kindly to the comments and snapped back, taking a dig at White’s perpetual unprofessionalism despite being the CEO of a publicly traded company.

“I’m shocked by the comments,” Espinoza told FightHype.com after a press conference for the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo pay-per-view event. “We’ve always known Dana to be so articulate and intelligent and witty with his comments. It’s so strange of him to lash out in anger. Who would have guessed that he would lash out in anger at somebody. We’ve never seen that before, right?”

He continued, “If that’s the only way he can engage in some sort of dialogue, then more power to him. I hope he can someday elevate his vocabulary and learn how to speak more eloquently and articulately. I think it’s something that might be necessarily helpful if you’re going to be a leader of a publicly traded company.”

Perhaps making Espinoza’s point, Dana White took another dig at the Showtime Sports President courtesy of an assist from rival combat sports promotion ONE Championship.

During the ONE Fight Night 14 broadcast on Friday night, an unidentified individual made his way on camera just as submission specialist Danielle Kelly was set to make her walk to the Circle.

It was a relatively minor production mishap, but White saw it as a golden opportunity to take a jab at both of his competitors. “Espinoza has taken over the Production for One FC,” White wrote on X.

It’s Not the First Time Dana White Has Slammed Showtime Boxing or Stephen Espinoza

It’s far from the first time Dana White has slammed Showtime Boxing and Espinoza ever since the pair teamed up to co-promote Conor McGregor’s boxing match with Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather in 2017.

“Showtime is f*cking horrible,” White said in August following the Power Slap 4 event. “Those guys suck so bad; you f*cking guys could show up with your f*cking video cameras and do a better job than Showtime. Seriously, it’s the worst production in all of television. F*cking PBS has better f*cking programming than Showtime. It’s horrible. Everybody who works on that f*cking show should be embarrassed” (h/t MMA Mania).

With Showtime Boxing reportedly closing up shop next year, perhaps Dana White will have the opportunity to show Espinoza how it’s done by launching his long-talked-about Zuffa Boxing concept.

UFC CEO Dana White revels in the rumored shutdown of Showtime Boxing: ‘It’s about time’

Dana WhiteUFC CEO Dana White is far from heartbroken over the potential shutdown of Showtime Boxing. Despite co-promoting Conor McGregor’s big-money matchup with Floyd Mayweather in 2017, White’s relationship with Showtime Sports President Stephen Espinoza has been strained to say the least. Recently, Boxing and UFC analyst ‘Raf’ on social media reported that Showtime Boxing, which […]

Dana White

UFC CEO Dana White is far from heartbroken over the potential shutdown of Showtime Boxing.

Despite co-promoting Conor McGregor’s big-money matchup with Floyd Mayweather in 2017, White’s relationship with Showtime Sports President Stephen Espinoza has been strained to say the least.

Recently, Boxing and UFC analyst ‘Raf’ on social media reported that Showtime Boxing, which debuted in 1986, would wrap up its nearly 40-year run following its 2024 schedule.

“I can confirm that Showtime will not be continuing their boxing schedule, after 2024. Following a number of conferences/calls across the pond over the past fortnight, I can attest that Showtime will be pulling the plug on boxing – after 37 years in the industry,” ‘Raf’ wrote on X. “It should be noted that the remaining schedule for the 2023 calendar year will remain unaffected.

“However, beyond 2024, there are no plans to renew current deals & that outside of sporadic PPVs… ShoBox will no longer be a feature and if Showtime dabbles in boxing again, it’ll be one-off PPV events only.”

Addressing members of the press following Tuesday’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series, the UFC CEO appeared to revel in the news of Showtime Boxing’s rumored demise.

“That’s incredibly unfortunate,” White sarcastically told reporters. “Production of that show was fantastic. The guy who runs Showtime Boxing is a great human being. It’s unfortunate to hear this. F*ck Espinoza, and it’s about time that sh*tty product is off the air.”

Showtime Sports President Snaps Back at Dana White

With Showtime Boxing potentially closing up shop, that could leave a big gap in the market. A perfect opportunity for White to launch his long-teased Zuffa Boxing promotion. Asked about the possibility, White said:

“You never know. Sounds good to me” (h/t MMA Junkie).

Getting wind of White’s comments, Espinoza snapped back during his appearance at the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo press conference.

“Not all combat sports is the same. No disrespect to anyone, but there are levels to this,” Espinoza said. “This event will generate a gate (money from ticket sales) of over $20 million. Our third $20 million+ gate in the last six months. To put that in perspective – the UFC has never done a $20 million gate in its entire history. We’ve done it three times since April.”