RINGSIDE By Doug Fischer SUPPORT BOXING’S MIDDLE CLASS
May 2026 Volume 103, No. 5
Founder Nathaniel Fleischer (1888-1972) Owner His Excellency Turki Alalshikh
INSURE LIKE A CHAMPION
Editor-in-Chief Douglass Fischer Managing Editor Tom Gray Senior Editor Brian Harty Creative Director Lamar Clark Controller Deborah L. Harrison
THE RING (ISSN: 0035-5410) May 2026, is published 12 times per year by The Ring Magazine FZ, LLC P.O. Box 90254 Brooklyn, NY 11209. Postmasters: Send change of address Notices to: The Ring Magazine Subscriber Service Dept., PO Box 103 Camby West Congers NY 10920-0103 Phone: 845- 719-3120 subscriptions@ringmagazine.com Single copy price $9.99 in U.S.A. ,10.99 Canada (£10.99 in the U.K.). Global Subscription price $60.00 for 12 issues plus S&H. Not responsible for the loss or non-return of unsolicited articles or photographs, which will not be returned unless accompanied by a selfaddressed envelope bearing the proper amount of postage. The entire contents of this magazine are copyright ©2026 The Ring Magazine FZ-LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of the content of advertisements appearing in this magazine, nor the delivery or quality of merchandise or services offered. No endorsement of any such advertisement is intended or implied. Advertisers and agencies assume liability for claims arising from the content of their advertisements. FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES AND RATES: advertising@ ringmagazine.com. U.S. / Canadian and International distribution by Comag Marketing Group LLC, 155 Village Blvd #200, Princeton, NJ 08540. UK distribution by Seymour Distribution Ltd., 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, England, EC1A 9PT. Printed In USA Subscription Inquiries Back Issues Inquiries Digital Orders Inquiries The Ring Magazine Subscriber Service Dept. PO Box 103 Camby West Congers NY 10920-0103 Phone: 845-719-3120 subscriptions@ringmagazine.com Send Editorial Comments To: comeoutwriting@gmail.com or P.O. Box 90254 Brooklyn, NY 11209
T he subject of this column involves Zuffa Boxing, so before I get into the meat of it, I feel obligated to state up front that I know its co-founder, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White, is a polarizing figure within the combat sports world. I’m also acutely aware of the considerable angst the newly formed company – co-founded by Turki Alalshikh – has ignited among boxing’s sanctioning bodies, promoters, media and some fans. There are numerous reasons for the fear and loathing, some of which are merited. But suffice to say, Zuffa Boxing, a company that just started promoting this year, is already an 800-pound gorilla thanks to the financial backing of Sela Sports (a Saudi Arabia- funded conglomerate) and TKO Group Holdings (the billion-dollar parent company of the UFC and WWE). And White, a headstrong leader with an abrasive personality, likes to throw his weight around. Ring cruiserweight champ Jai
Cain Sandoval takes it to Wesley Ferrer in 2023.
Opetaia was signed to Zuffa Boxing in January, and British star Conor Benn inked a one-fight deal with the upstart company in February said to be worth $15 million. Offers were also reportedly made to Shakur Stevenson, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and Anthony Joshua, and while all three declined, White’s boasts about bigger signings to come are understandably taken by major promoters as threats. Shots have been fired and battle lines have been drawn, but I’m not taking sides. I don’t approve of everything White says and does, but I think Zuffa Boxing can be good for the sport. I know I’m not a disinterested observer in all of this. Alalshikh owns The Ring. But this is my honest opinion, and my “bias” has nothing to do with who my “boss” is and everything to do with the majority of the fighters involved
Authorized by Insurance Authority.
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