Eddie Hearn Skeptical of TKO Boxing Launch

Eddie Hearn, the prominent boxing promoter behind Matchroom Boxing, has voiced skepticism about the upcoming launch of TKO Boxing, a new venture backed by UFC CEO Dana White and Saudi advisor Turki Alalshikh. With less than a month until the inaugural event on January 23, 2026, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Hearn warned that a weak start could undermine the promotion's ambitions in the sport.

The event marks TKO Boxing's entry into professional boxing, coinciding with a busy fight week that includes UFC 324 on the Paramount streaming platform. Details remain scarce, with no fighters or full card announced as of late December 2025. The choice of the UFC Apex, a smaller venue known for its controlled environment but often criticized for lacking the energy of larger arenas, has drawn particular scrutiny. Hearn, speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, questioned the strategy.

"They are very bullish, like me," Hearn said. "They're arrogant and they think they're going to come in and dominate boxing. But it's not going to happen." He emphasized the need for a strong debut, adding, "You've got to come out of the blocks with a bang, you can't come out with something lame. What are you going...