No, Nyet, Nein. Yes, that’s what UFC President Dana White said. He was responding to the surging rumor that Endeavor was adding up Top Rank to its resume. Early today, Rick Glaser, the New York-based veteran boxing matchmaker, shared an update on the matter.

He tweeted that Top Tank could be a shot away from being bought over by Ari Emanuel-headed Endeavor. The name might resonate with most of the fans. It is the parent company of the mixed martial arts promotions UFC, with Dana White as its president, and WWE, where founder Vince McMahon is the Executive Chairman of the Board. The two combat sports promotions were merged in September this year to form a single entity, TKO Group Holdings, Inc. Glaser had also suggested that Top Rank honcho Bob Arum, who turned 92 three weeks ago, might be looking at retirement. A friend of Dana White might be playing the critical part as well.

Dana White spells out the Top Rank news

Rick Glaser posited that he had assured everyone of a Christmas gift. He proclaimed it one of the biggest news stories to have hogged boxing. The founder of GlaserBoxing said, “Boxing Powerhouse #TopRank is in the final due diligence stage of being sold to Entertainment conglomerate #Endeavor headed by #AriEmanuel. Endeavor is the parent company of #UFC & #WWE, translated means after 58 years in Boxing 92-year-old @BobArum is retiring, & @DanaWhite now enters the #Boxing business with the Top Rank purchase.“

Promised everyone a Christmas gift, never printed, never talked about, biggest Boxing news in many years, Boxing Powerhouse #TopRank is in the final due diligence stage of being sold to Entertainment conglomerate #Endeavor headed by #AriEmanuel, Endeavor is the parent company of…

— Rick Glaser (@RealRickGlaser1) December 26, 2023

Then he talked about Tom Loeffler. Reportedly a confidante of Dana White, the boxing promoter could play a prominent part at Top Rank once the terms of the agreement get into effect. It is interesting to note that one of the followers termed the report fake. However, Rick Glaser flatly refused: “There’s nothing fake about it.”

Sometime later, through his Instagram story, Dana White responded back with the caption, “BIG TIME BOXING NEWS. Top Rank is being sold to Endeavor, home to UFC & WWE. Dana White now has his own boxing show.” The UFC president said, “Absolutely positively not true. We are not buying Top Rank.”

A boxing lore

Seeped in boxing history, before Top Rank came, there was Main Bout, Muhammad Ali‘s promotional venture. According to its website, Top Rank came up in 1966 when Jabir Herbert Muhammad, Bob Arum, and ‘The Greatest’ joined hands. In its more than five decades of existence, the promotion has overseen the careers of some of the biggest names in boxing, including Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, and many more.

It’s been a year of big news for boxing fans. Not long ago, they were still reconciling with Showtime‘s departure from the sport after 37 years of distinguished service. Given the conflicting affirmations around the latest news, fans will now have to wait and watch how it eventually pans out for the good old boxing promotion.

What’s your take on the emerging talks surrounding Top Rank? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

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