Roy Jones Jr has made an impassioned argument against Dana White’s growing influence over boxing.
White is best known for running the UFC but has recently made moves into boxing with his promotional outfit, Zuffa Boxing.
He made headlines when he signed Conor Benn on a huge one-fight deal, seemingly snatching him away from his long-time promoter Eddie Hearn at Matchroom.
Since then, he has also signed up former cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith as well as Jai Opetaia, a hugely well-regarded cruiserweight who was stripped of the IBF belt before his first fight under the promotion.
However, Jones has expressed serious concern in an interview with Fight Hub TV.
“Same as UFC, they determine who becomes who. It’s not about talent and winning anymore, it’s about who they want there. And that’s what they’re trying to do to boxing.
“And I’m sorry, thats not right, I don’t care who you are. Talent, skill, hard work, all those things should determine who is the best. And you should have an opportunity to to challenge the best if you one of the best. Not kiss your ass. You got to kiss their ass or you can’t fight.
“They too idiotic to understand that. Most people around too idiotic to understand what’s happening. By the time they get it, it’s already too late. It’s almost too late now.”
Jones went on further with his criticism, whilst also praising the likes of Nico Ali Walsh and Oscar De La Hoya, who recently stood against the promotion’s motion to amend the Muhammad Ali act.
“Nico understand, that’s why he went there. Oscar understand, that’s why he went there. But most people they don’t understand. They think it’s great money. But it’s not, it’s great money today but it’s not tomorrow. History is going to be erased.
“There will be no such thing as WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO champ. Terence Crawford was known as being champion in three weight divisions. That’s going to be gone now.
“No chance to do that any more, and that’s what we want in boxing? We’re going to kill the history to make it look like UFC? Im sorry, I can’t do it.”
In the sixth Zuffa card this past weekend, Shane Mosley Jr. knocked out Serhii Bohachuk in the sixth round, but it clear that Jones isn’t a fan of the new promotion.
