Roy Jones Jr. Critiques Dana White's Boxing Promotion, Warns of Negative Impact on Fighters
Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. gave his unfiltered opinion on Dana White's boxing promotion, as well as the new Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, a bill that has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and is being criticized for amending the original Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act in 2000.
In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Jones Jr. expressed his belief that the sport of boxing will undergo negative changes if the new TKO-backed bill is passed into law.
Watch the full interview here:
"First of all, if you made the Muhammad Ali Act to save or look out for the boxers, why would you go change it for a promoter?" Jones Jr. said.
He painted a vivid picture with an analogy comparing boxing promoters to thieves.
"You basically change it back, saying, 'OK, you put these security bars on the building so no one can break in, but since he lives in the neighborhood now and we know he likes to break into stores, we'll give him the key to it and change it so he can get in.' Come on, bro. Really?"
Roy Slams UFC Model
He also pointed to the UFC's well-documented issues with fighter pay to further explain why the new bill's implementation of Unified Boxing Organization (UBOs), which restructures boxing promotion to more closely mirror the UFC's model, is not good for fighters in the long run.
"If it was that good, all the ex-UFC fighters would be talking about it, and they would be saying good things about it," Roy said. "They don't. So, if you didn't do good by your own people, what makes me think you'll do good by mine?"
Jones Jr. also believes that Dana White's venture, Zuffa Boxing, is doing its best to entice fighters with big paydays.
"Yeah, you'll come in and give a few of them a bigger bag than they're used to getting. Spoiling a few of them because you're trying to win your way in. But we already know what the final outcome is. Look at most of the fighters that retire from the UFC," Jones Jr. said.
Most recently, reports have circulated of big-name fighters like Shakur Stevenson finalizing a deal with Zuffa Boxing.
"Even the ones that come to boxing to make their real payday. They built up a name in UFC, but they couldn't make a payday. So, you want me to bring that same old thing to boxing? Why would I do that?"
Roy's Rant Continues
Despite his strong opinion, Jones Jr. insists that his criticism is not personal, and he refuses to characterize Dana White based on his business practices.
"I can't accept it. I'm sorry. I'm not the guy who says, 'Oh, you evil.' I'm not gonna say all that, but I can't accept that. My sport gives better payout to your people than your sport did, then why would I want you to change my sport? It just don't make sense."
Roy, however, laments that in reality, the bill will likely pass into law, which will position Zuffa Boxing as a premier destination for rising stars in the sport.
"It probably is (going to pass), but it's gonna ruin boxing, though. It's going to ruin boxing, totally," he said candidly.
"They're going to determine if you become that superstar. Not your skills, not your ability, not your talent. They're gonna determine who becomes who," he predicted. "Same as UFC. They determine who becomes who. It's not about talent and winning no more. It's about who they want there. That's what they're trying to do to boxing. I'm sorry, that's not right, I don't care who you are."
He also mourns how Zuffa Boxing is already starting to strip fighters of their individual identities.
"They're going to be basically slaves. They're going to be owned sheep. You don't get to decide what you wear no more, you don't get to decide who you are no more, you have no identity. You're basically a sheep that does what your master says to do, and that's wrong," Jones Jr. stated.
Roy also spoke with disappointment about the broader community of fighters, who he believes are not looking out for the best interest of the sport, but for their own selfish gains.
"If that's what they want, it's on them. I'm through with boxing, thank God, because if it were me, I would have moved out of the country," he said
"Most of the people around are too idiotic to understand what's really happening," he said critically. "They don't understand. By the time they get it, it's already too late. It's almost too late now."
Jones Jr., however, gave credit to fellow boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya and Muhammad Ali's grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, both of whom testified in front of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee against the new bill.
"Nico understands, that's why he went there. Oscar understands, that's why he went there, but most people in boxing understand, they don't understand," he said in a defeated tone. "They see a few more dollars, that's great money. No, it's not. It's great money now, it's not great money tomorrow."
Jones Jr. ended his rant with a rhetorical question pointed at the audience, and used the example of recently retired superstar Terence Crawford to drive home his point that the UFC model will not be beneficial.
"Terence Crawford was known for being the four-belt era champ in three weight divisions. That's going to be gone now. No chance to do that anymore, and that's what we want in boxing? So we're gonna kill the history to make it look like the UFC? Man, get out of here with that," Jones Jr. said emphatically before storming off on the interviewer.
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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 8:54 PM.