“I love putting shows on. I look at the production a lot more than what I look at, you know, like I think there’s only so much you can control,” Frank Smith told iFL TV.
“I look at the controllable elements and go, how can we create a product that people come to or look at and go, ‘That was brilliant?'”
“They have deep pockets. They’re unlike anybody else who’s come into the sport in a long time. They’re obviously very successful. But I think they feel like they can just come in.”
Dana White has frequently defended Zuffa Boxing’s long-term plans, urging critics to judge the project over time rather than after the first few bouts.
“Dana keeps saying, ‘Judge me by my work,'” said Frank.
“Well, his work so far is a bunch of shows in a garage in Las Vegas and 2,000 people so far at the Bournemouth International Centre.”
Zuffa Boxing has already signed several notable names and is expected to continue to invest heavily in the sport. The company has also targeted big fights involving some of boxing’s biggest stars as it tries to establish itself alongside existing promoters.
“In New York he has Richardson Hitchins, Dereck Chisora ​​​​and Edgar Berlanga fighting in fights that nobody cares about.
“Then he has a show a week after Queensberry’s show in Dublin, three weeks before our show at Croke Park.
“With a world middleweight title, they wouldn’t do belts, now they’re going to do belts.
“It’s all confusing, but it’s fun. I find it fun. I find everything in boxing fun.”
Despite the criticism, Smith made it clear he expects Zuffa Boxing to remain a significant player in the sport, describing White and his team as well-funded and capable of making a long-term impact as competition between promoters continues to increase.
