UFC CEO Dana White has mocked British boxing by saying the “UK won’t use ring card girls unless you have ring card boys”.
The comment, made during a Zuffa Boxing event, has seen the 57-year-old come under fire.
While at the contest, White was asked by content creator Nina-Marie Daniele why there were no ring card girls for the event.
The UFC CEO responded: “The UK won’t use ring card girls unless you have ring card boys.”
White’s comments have seen him face backlash, first because the event was hosted in Dublin, Ireland, with fans mocking the UFC CEO’s lack of geographical knowledge.
One user sarcastically wrote on social media: “Ah yes, Dublin, one of the finest cities in the UK.”
Another wrote: “So, not only doesn’t Dana know boxing, he has now added geography to the list. Beyond embarrassing.”
Ring card girls are also still seen often at boxing events across the UK, but their presence has been scaled back.
UFC CEO Dana White said the ‘UK won’t use ring card girls unless you have ring card boys’
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British sports promoter and chairman of Matchroom Sport, Eddie Hearn, has previously vowed to continue hiring ring card girls.
“The ring card girls have been a part of boxing history for many, many years”, he told GQ Magazine in 2018.
“As far as I am aware, darts will still have dancers on stage performing, but the walk-on girls were not really necessary.
“From a boxing point of view, we want to keep the traditions of the sport going, and in my opinion it has nothing to do with sexism or feminism. It is just a part of boxing and until we are told otherwise.”
The highlight of the event saw Aaron McKenna win the IBF world middleweight title
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The highlight of Zuffa Boxing 10 was Irish fighter Aaron McKenna winning the IBF world middleweight title in his first professional bout on home soil.
The dominant performance saw him defeat a previously unbeaten Etinosa Oliha in a convincing display.
McKenna extended his perfect professional record to 21-0 after controlling most of the 12-round contest.
The judges’ scorecards read 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112, seeing the Italian lose his first professional fight.
McKenna produced a dominant performance to win on home soil
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Speaking afterwards, McKenna shared he has now completed his childhood dream.
“A new world champion. I said it for years.
“Since I was six years old, I thought about this moment my whole life, so for it to finally happen at 27, it goes to show everyone, don’t give up, always stay true to yourself, and you can do anything.
“Oliha was definitely strong. I made it harder than it should have been, but I got the job done.
“It doesn’t matter [who’s next], anyone. I’m easy to find now that I have a belt. I want to collect every belt in boxing. I’m the best middleweight in the world, and super-middleweight; I don’t mind jumping up either,” he told Sky Sports.
