Fans are not exactly buzzing about Dana White’s first event as a boxing promoter after the full fight card was revealed. The launch of Zuffa Boxing is just around the corner, with the promotion rolling out the full preliminary lineup.
Fans are not exactly buzzing about Dana White’s first event as a boxing promoter after the full fight card was revealed.
The launch of Zuffa Boxing is just around the corner, with the promotion rolling out the full preliminary lineup. Callum Walsh faces Carlos Ocampo in the main event, with two other main card bouts set to air on Paramount+. Both fights had already been announced.
While those matches should deliver, there is not much star power on this card as they ease into their new product. White has spoken about a long-term approach to entering boxing, but that will not mean much to fans hoping for big names right out of the gate.
Line-up finalised for Dana White’s first Zuffa Boxing event
White’s first boxing event is bringing together a solid line-up of match-ups, with several undefeated fighters set to be tested. Three of the eight bouts feature unbeaten opponents, and the 16 fighters have just nine losses between them.
Walsh, a long-term project of White and Tom Loeffler, is stepping up in class for this fight against former world title contender Ocampo.
The 30-year-old Mexican brings plenty of experience into the ring, holding a 38-3 record with 26 knockouts. All three of his losses came in world title fights against Tim Tszyu, Sebastian Fundora and Errol Spence Jr.
In the co-main event, Misael Rodriguez faces Austin Deanda in another clash between unbeaten contenders. The main card also features Julian Rodriguez taking on Cain Sandoval, who comes in with a perfect 17-0 record.
The preliminary card includes Omar Trinidad vs Max Orlenas, Floyd Diaz vs Guillermo Gutierrez, Emiliano Cardenas vs Marcus Harris, and Robert Merriweather III vs Cesar Correa. Kicking off the night will be Troy Nash and Jaycob Ramos in what will be the first fight under the Zuffa Boxing banner.
Reaction to Zuffa Boxing’s debut event is lukewarm
Ever since the event was linked to the Apex, there has been a sense of letdown surrounding White’s highly anticipated debut show. Even a polished trailer and the tease of a new belt did little to lift fans’ spirits, especially those already disappointed by the smaller scale of the event.
Some fans said they would have to be paid to tune in, while others added: “Very strange that Paramount did this. The entire card was worse than the average PBC undercard.”
Not everyone felt the same way about Zuffa Boxing’s first offering. One commenter on Instagram pointed out that it catered well to serious fight fans, replying: “If anybody knows boxing, this is actually [fire]. Good job @zuffaboxing I believed when everyone doubted that you guys would have good fighters and fights.”
Category: General Sports
