Eddie Hearn reveals ‘major problem’ that makes Dana White want to change the Muhammad Ali act
Dana White has ruffled plenty of feathers since announcing his move into boxing.
The UFC CEO will implement his revolutionary plan to transform the sport in 2026.
Dana White has already signed a historic TV deal with Paramount, which will air 12 Zuffa Boxing shows next year.
The MMA mogul is also working on creating a new version of the Muhammad Ali Act – a U.S. federal legislation passed in 2000 that seeks to protect the rights and welfare of boxers.
Eddie Hearn: Why Dana White wants to change the Ali Act
Dana White says his reason for adding to the Muhammad Ali Act is to take boxing to the next level.
The Chairman of Matchroom Sport, Eddie Hearn, believes his new rival wants to hide revenue from fighters on his UFC and Zuffa Boxing rosters.
“The problem with the Ali Act for them is, you have to disclose to the fighters the revenue of the show, particularly from the broadcaster,” Hearn said on The Ariel Helwani Show.
“I think there is many different facets, but that is a major problem because they will be receiving a significant rights deal from Paramount.
“When you’re making millions in a rights deal and the talent is getting such a small percentage, that’s going to cause a problem.
“Imagine if the UFC fighters could see in black and white on fight week the revenue that the UFC were making from the show. You’d turn around and go, ‘I’m getting how much?’
“You’re going to have a situation where a boxer is making three or four times more than the main event on the UFC card, and the revenue is more for the UFC card than it is for the boxing.
“They can’t afford for the talent to see the numbers. That’s the truth of the situation.”
Dana White to create Zuffa Boxing belt
Dana White says his new boxing league will not acknowledge the current world titles.
White recently confirmed that Zuffa Boxing will have its own belts while mapping out his two-year plan.
“There will be a Zuffa belt and then there will be a Ring belt and yes, I will not recognize any of the other sanctioning bodies,” he said.
White added: “Two years. You’ll start to notice a big difference in two years.
“One of the things, without sounding arrogant, if you look back throughout the last 25 years of me being in the UFC, everything that I said I would do, I have done.
“I said I was waiting for the right time to get into boxing. Here we are now, and over the next two years, I will put my head down and I will grind and start to implement my vision.”
John Lynch provides injury update on 49ers quarterback Mac Jones
The San Francisco 49ers have been ravaged by injuries so far this season.
They've lost superstar pass rusher Nick Bosa for the season, and other key players have missed extended time as well, including Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall.
Even backup quarterback Mac Jones, who has played well in place of the injured Purdy, has popped up on the injury report with an oblique injury.
John Lynch downplays Mac Jones' injury
In an appearance on KNBR, Niners general manager John Lynch was asked about Jones' injury, which was new this week.
"No, I think we feel pretty good about where he's going to be," said Lynch via The Athletic's Matt Barrows.
Jones has been hobbled since taking over the starting job from the injured Purdy, and he took a beating last Thursday night in the Niners' win over the Los Angeles Rams.
The Alabama product was sacked only once throughout the overtime victory, but was hit 10 times throughout the game.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that Jones was suffering through extreme cramps in both legs while fighting off the urge to vomit.
Through three starts, the former 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has put up some gaudy numbers, completing 66.7% of his passes for 905 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception.
Jones is a tough player, and it seems like he's willing to play through just about anything to stay on the field. It's unlikely an oblique injury will prevent him from suiting up on Sunday when San Francisco takes on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
