UFC president Dana White aims to reform boxing's traditional weight class structure, drawing from his MMA experience, seeking a simpler, more fan-friendly approach that benefits both fighters and spectators.
Boxing's 17 weight classes, with multiple champions per class due to various sanctioning bodies, create confusion among fans, complicating the identification of top fighters and singular champions within each division.
Dana White proposes reducing boxing's weight classes from 17 to 8, streamlining competition and simplifying the sport for fans, with each class having a single champion, similar to the UFC's title structure.
Rationale Behind Fewer Weight Classes Clarity: By having fewer weight classes and only one champion per division, there would be less confusion about who holds titles and who the best fighters are.
Dana White argues that having one champion per division maintains competitive integrity and clarity on who's top, while also simplifying matchmaking, enabling more straightforward title fights and eliminating complexities.
Dana White plans to maintain traditional boxing elements, including historic weight limits and fight lengths, ensuring that the sport's core identity remains intact amidst the proposed changes to weight classes.
The focus will be on ensuring that by the time fighters reach the top five in their respective divisions, there is no doubt about their status as elite competitor
In summary, Dana White’s vision for his new boxing promotion includes reducing weight classes from 17 to just 8 and establishing a single champion per division.