Boxing Promoters Have Polarizing UFC In Florida Thoughts

Boxing Promoters on UFC Florida; there are opinions from all across the spectrum. While most major sports have halted things entirely, the UFC has been aiming to press forward. The promotion is looking to run multiple events this month at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Oscar De La Hoya has an uncharacteristically positive opinion on what the UFC is doing here. Bob Arum has recently come out with a diametrically opposed take.

Boxing Promoters on UFC Florida

Oscar De La Hoya hasn’t always had the best opinions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and some of their practices. The Golden Boy Promotions founder has in past criticized how UFC pays fighters and has had several public spats with UFC figurehead Dana White. De La Hoya addressed those past clashes with White but said he commends Dana and has respect for him. The former world champion boxer was discussing these topics on a recent installment of CBS Sports’ “State of Combat” podcast.

Bob Arum thinks that Boxing should follow suit with other major sports’ methodology and not of the UFC. The CEO of Top Rank seems to think May is too soon. Even though he has discussed the possibility of running events with no fans in attendance in late-June at the earliest. The long time promoter of the sweet science hopes “that they’re not endangering the safety of anyone” in doing this. He also described the effort as “Cowboy behavior” which is apropos considering Donald Cerrone is scheduled for one of the May cards (a rematch with Anthony Pettis slated for UFC 249 on May 9th).

Bob Arum is looking at Nevada or California for future fight destinations. As Boxing looks to make a return once it can be done “in a sensible way”. Arum having an adversarial relationship with UFC, and the sport of MMA by proxy, is certainly nothing new.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE_tsPatoBU

Dylan Bowker

I've been enamored with combat sports for as long as I can remember. I've hosted MMA talk shows Lights Out and Pure Fight Radio with featured guests like Jens Pulver, Roy Nelson, Miesha Tate, Mark Coleman, and more. I've been an MMA broadcaster for XFFC as well as BTC and have done play by play commentary on live pay per view on GFL as well as FITE TV. I've provided written, audio, and video content covering some of the biggest MMA promotions like Rumble in the Cage, Unified MMA, and King of the Cage. I've worked as a sports entertainment personality for over five years and given play-by-play or featured promotions of KSW, ONE Championship, TKO, and Invicta FC. My work can be found in the USA Today Sports affiliate MMA Torch, Cageside Press, MMA Sucka, and Liberty Multimedia.

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