De La Hoya Calls Zuffa Boxing a Trojan Horse as 3 Signings Draw Monopoly Warning
Updated
Updated · MMA Fighting · Jul 24
De La Hoya Calls Zuffa Boxing a Trojan Horse as 3 Signings Draw Monopoly Warning
3 articles · Updated · MMA Fighting · Jul 24
Summary
Oscar De La Hoya said Zuffa Boxing is using multimillion-dollar short-term deals to lure boxers in before cutting pay, calling the project a "Trojan Horse" modeled on UFC fighter compensation.
Three marquee signings — Shakur Stevenson, Conor Benn and Jai Opetaia — were cited as evidence that Dana White’s promotion is overpaying a few stars to build credibility and attract younger fighters.
De La Hoya argued Zuffa wants to weaken the Muhammad Ali Act and run boxing as its own league, with in-house rankings and a "unicorn belt" that would give it tighter control over fighters.
He also pointed to Opetaia’s case, saying Ring Magazine failed to strip him after 2 years without a top-5 defense while the IBF did strip him, as proof Zuffa is already bending rules.
The attack adds to a long-running dispute over whether White’s year-old boxing venture will disrupt the sport or recreate the UFC model of concentrated power and lower average fighter pay.