TKO and Dana White have announced a forthcoming boxing promotion with plans to begin in 2026. They don’t have any fighters under contract yet but rumors about the pay scale have been floated in the media.
We don’t have any information about the pay scale or contracts and have no affiliation with any promotion. We have no information at all except what we’ve read. But for this article we’ll assume that the following pay scale is semi accurate for any new promotion that would start from scratch in North America this year:
–$20,000 for a 10-round bout by an unranked fighter.
–$50,000 when ranked by “the company” at No. 5 to No. 10.
–$125,000 when ranked by the company at No. 3 to No. 4.
–$375,000 when challenging for “company” championship.
–$750,000 when defending “company” championship.
We’ve compiled a list of fighters who could possibly be available right now to sign to a promotion like this. We tried to avoid any fighters who were explicitly signed to a promotion already. We use Boxrec for any promotions who log their fighters there and go by promoters websites and have considered anyone who seems to be on an active promoter’s roster to be off limits for a new venture. For PBC fighters who have not been active since boxing launched on Prime we have considered them to be possible signings since PBC has always maintained they are an advisory service and their fighters aren’t under exclusive contract.
We’re only considering fighters who have been active in North America. There are fighters from countries outside of North America but they’ve either fought in the United States before or have fought under promotions that operate in the United States. Fighters who exclusively fight in Europe are not considered (even though they may be targeted by a promotion like this.) We’ve also omitted any fighter who has confirmed participation in the upcoming WBC Grand Prix tournament that starts in April.
Contenders
Albert Bell 26-0 (9) Jr Lightweight – Bell’s style isn’t particularly fan friendly and he’s had trouble landing big fights because of his height and reach. A clear path to decent paydays without having to take fights as the B side might be attractive to him.
Carlos Castro 30-3 (14) Featherweight – Castro has had stints with Top Rank and PBC. His 3 losses are to Luis Nery, Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton and he was mostly competitive with them. He’s one of the top guys who doesn’t have a current contract with a big promoter.
Shane Mosley Jr 22-4 (12) Middleweight – Mosley has won 9 of his last 10 fights following his loss to Brandon Adams in the finals of season 5 of The Contender. He’s been in peak form over his last 5 fights with wins over veteran contenders Daniel Jacobs and Gabriel Rosado.
Radivoje Kalajdzic 29-3 (21) Light Heavyweight – Hot Rod acquitted himself well last year against David Morrell. His losses have all come against champion fighters and he still has the ability to compete in the lower part of the top 10 in the division.
Brandon Glanton 20-2 (17) Cruiserweight – It sounds like cruiserweight might not be in the mix for the new promotion but if it is Glanton would be the biggest American name available.
Israel Gonzalez 30-5-2 (12) Jr Bantamweight – Gonzalez is still just 28 years old even though he’s 37 fights into his career. The only fighters to beat him are Bam Rodriguez, Roman Gonzalez, Jerwin Ancajas, Khalid Yafai and Argi Cortes and he won rounds in nearly all those fights. Ancajas is the only man to stop him and Gonzalez was just 21 years old in that fight.
Ra’eese Aleem 21-1 (12) Featherweight – His only loss was a competitive one to Sam Goodman. At 34 years old Aleem isn’t a prospect and he may not really be a contender, but he has beaten some fellow fringe contenders and has never been thoroughly outclassed.
Joet Gonzalez 27-4 (15) Featherweight – He’s tough and competitive with nearly everyone he’s fought. He’s come up short in three title shots but his recent win over Khegai means he’s still in contention with most fighters who aren’t at the very top. He’d be a great measuring stick for everyone else in the promotion.
Jeremias Ponce 33-1 (22) Jr Welterweight – Ponce has only fought once in the USA succumbing to Subriel Matias in a war of attrition. We still don’t know how good he might be as he hasn’t been matched at the contender level other than that fight. But he’s good television and might be available.
Daniyar Yeleussinov 12-0 (7) Welterweight – His pro career has stagnated following a stint with Matchroom that ended in 2020. Yeleussinov won a gold medal in the 2016 Olympics and owns amateur wins over Eimantas Stanionis, Shakhram Giyasov, Souleymane Cissokho and Josh Kelly. Eddie Hearn found it difficult to get him fights but a format like this where you could almost force some fights would fit him well.
Hebert Conceicao 6-0 (3) Super Middleweight – Conceicao is 2020 Olympic gold medal winner. His ceiling might seem a bit lower than Yeleussinov and he hasn’t been terribly active since he turned pro but he does own a decent win over fellow Brazilian Olympic medalist Esquiva Falcao.
Faded Champions
Brian Mendoza 22-4 (16) Jr Middleweight – Mendoza isn’t really faded at all. He’s a tough guy who scored a big upset victory over Sebastian Fundora and subsequently took punishment against Tim Tszyu and Serhii Bohachuk. He’ll probably have work to do to land another title shot and this promotion could provide a lucrative way to try to get back in the mix.
Tevin Farmer 33-8-1 (8) Lightweight – Farmer earned a lot of respect in two gritty losses to William Zepeda and probably still has enough juice to land some big fights in a stacked division. But he could be a very nice addition to an upstart promotion as he’s just five years removed from a 7 fight championship run at Jr Lightweight and has proven he can still mix it with the top of the division.
Jesse Hart 31-3 (25) Light Heavyweight – Hart was never a champion but his only 3 losses are to Gilberto Ramirez in title fights and Joe Smith. The faded label is fitting as he hasn’t been in a meaningful fight in 5 years. Hart has never been stopped and would still be a formidable opponent for anyone who isn’t at the very top of the division.
Charles Martin 30-4-1 (27) Heavyweight – Martin wore a championship belt for 2 fights. He looks the part and is full of self belief. He’s not a top 20 heavyweight but he’s not far off and he may well be a top 10 American heavyweight. He seems like he’d be a good fit and he’s probably available.
Jose Zepeda 38-5 (29) Welterweight – “Chon” wore a WBC silver belt for a few fights and has been in with the top of the division. He definitely seems to have tailed off significantly in the last 3 years and at 35 years old he might not be keen to fight five times a year, but he’s available.
Andrew Tabiti 21-2 (17) Heavyweight – Tabiti had a regional belt at cruiserweight and challenged for the IBF belt and came up short against Yuniel Dorticos. He has not found much success at heavyweight and is very much undersized but he’s an experienced veteran that would fit in well at this level.
Andrew Cancio 22-5-2 (17) Lightweight – Cancio had a three fight title run in 2019. At 36 years of age he probably doesn’t have much left but he came back in 2024 after 5 years out of the ring. He could be a good fit here.
Maurice Hooker 28-3-3 (19) Welterweight – Hooker had a four fight stint as champion in 2019. He was usually in entertaining fights but might not have enough left to make an impact. But he could be a name.
Angel Acosta 24-5 (22) Flyweight – He’s only been definitively beaten by Junto Nakatani and Kosei Tanaka. He’s been in the fight in all his other losses and usually in exciting fashion. He’s certainly on the downside but if he’s still ready and willing he’s a guy that can create good television.
Byron Rojas 29-4-3 (12) Flyweight – He’s only lost twice since 2012, both times to Knockout CP Freshmart. But his natural weight is 105 and he’d likely need to fight at flyweight where he hasn’t proven to be effective at a high level. He “won” a title over Hekkie Budler back in 2016 but didn’t get the belt because he pulled a boss move of refusing to pay the sanctioning fee.
Jerwin Ancajas 36-4-2 (24) Jr Featherweight – Ancajas won a junior bantamweight title and successfully defended it 9 times before getting beaten twice by reigning champion Fernando Martinez in 2022. He’s up in weight now and was stopped by Takuma Inoue in a title shot last year. He’s not far removed from his prime and could still be a real threat.
Jonathan Guzman 26-2 (25) Jr Featherweight – We’re now nearly 9 years removed from Guzman’s title victory over Shingo Wake and subsequent loss in his first defense to Yukinori Oguna. He took a close loss to Carlos Jackson in 2021 and hasn’t won a significant fight since his title reign. But he may have enough left to test some prospects and if his power is still there he could score an upset.
Roger Gutierrez 29-6-2 (22) Lightweight – Gutierrez had a brief 2 fight title reign (both wins coming over Rene Alvarado) in 2021. Rocky Hernandez found out that he can really crack and he’d still be a tough out for many contender level fighters.
Jezzrel Corrales 26-8 (10) Lightweight – Corrales has now lost his last 4 fights (and 7 of his last 11.) He still fights just one division above his prime weight class and has scored a recent victory over fringe contender Miguel Madueno. He might be a bit of a reach and his style sometimes leads to dull fights, but he’s likely available.
Jose Pedraza 29-7-1 (14) Jr Welterweight – “Sniper” is definitely on the decline as he’s suffered KO defeats in his last 2 fights, but he’s still only 3 fights removed from a narrow decision loss to Arnold Barboza. He’s fought 280 rounds in his career and he’s fought the best of his generation in Tank and Lomachenko, and the best of the next generation in Keyshawn Davis and Tito Mercado. He’s still a great litmus test for any lesser prospect or fringe contender.
JoJo Diaz 33-7-1 (15) Jr Welterweight – Diaz is only 32 but he’s fought 324 professional rounds and has battled some issues outside the ring of late. If he decides to make a serious run he might be able to be a threat in a promotion like this.
Javier Fortuna 39-6-1 (28) Welterweight – It’s been five years since Fortuna has won a meaningful fight and he didn’t look terribly competitive in his fight earlier this year against Alfredo Santiago. But he’s an experienced veteran that some boxing fans are familiar with.
Jeison Rosario 24-5-2 (18) Middleweight – Rosario is only 29 years old but he’s been knocked out 5 times. He put up a game effort against Jesus Ramos this year but was thoroughly outgunned. It might be best for Rosario to hang it up but if he fights on this might be the level to maximize his earning potential.
Promotable Action Fighters
Dakota Linger 16-6-3 (12) Welterweight – Linger would be our first call if we were starting a promotion like this. He’s the poster boy for losses on your record not defining you. Linger will fight anyone and he’ll likely do it in a way that pleases fans. He can crack and he’s tough. He seems like a perfect fit for Dana White.
Julian Smith 9-2 (5) Jr Welterweight – Nothing has been given to “The Quiet Storm.” He’s been brought in as the B side in his last 7 fights and he’s won 5 of them against good competition. He’s also one of just a few deaf professional fighters we’ve ever seen. He will fight anyone and is another poster boy for the type of fighter this promotion seems to want to feature.
Adam Lopez 17-6 (6) Jr Lightweight – “Blunose” has been in with Stephen Fulton, Oscar Valdez (twice), Isaac Dogboe and Abraham Nova and has never been thoroughly outclassed. He won’t turn down a fight and he’s gotten off the deck to win. He seems like a great fit to match with just about anyone at this level and give fans a good fight to watch.
Fringe Contenders
Victor Sandoval 37-5 (23) Flyweight
Dominique Crowder 18-0 (11) Bantamweight
Saul Sanchez 21-4 (12) Jr Featherweight
Noel Reyes Cepeda 19-4 (15) Jr Featherweight
Japhethlee Llamido 12-1 (4) Jr Featherweight
Max Ornelas 17-2-1 (6) Jr Featherweight
Norbelto Jimenez 34-11-6 (18) Jr Featherweight
Ruben Villa 22-2 (7) Featherweight
Pedro Marquez Medina 16-1 (10) Featherweight
John Gjini 15-0 (14) Featherweight
Christian Olivo 22-2-1 (9) Featherweight
Eduardo Baez 23-7-2 (9) Featherweight
Brayan De Gracia 29-4-1 (25) Featherweight
Thomas Mattice 22-4-1 (17) Jr Lightweight
Eridson Garcia 19-1 (12) Jr Lightweight
Edward Vazquez 17-2 (4) Jr Lightweight
William Foster III 18-2 (11) Jr Lightweight
Jeremy Hill 21-3-1 (13) Jr Lightweight
Frency Fortunato 15-2 (11) Jr Lightweight
Alejandro Guerrero 13-4 (10) Jr Lightweight
Justin Pauldo 18-2 (9) Lightweight
Giovanni Cabrera 22-2 (7) Lightweight
Francisco Fonseca 35-4-2 (29) Lightweight
Gabriel Flores Jr 26-2 (8) Lightweight
Abel Mendoza 42-0 (31) Lightweight
Keith Hunter 16-2 (10) Lightweight
Miguel Madueno 31-4 (28) Lightweight
Jaime Arboleda 20-3 (15) Lightweight
Abraham Montoya 23-6-1 (14) Lightweight
Chris Colbert 17-3 (6) Lightweight
Cletus Seldin 29-1 (23) Jr Welterweight
Branden Pizarro 20-1-1 (11) Jr Welterweight
Francis Frometa 18-1 (12) Jr Welterweight
Bryce Mills 18-1 (6) Jr Welterweight
Hector Tanajara 22-1-1 (6) Jr Welterweight
John Bauza 18-2 (8) Jr Welterweight
Omar Juarez 17-2 (5) Jr Welterweight
Joseph Adorno 21-4-2 (18) Jr Welterweight
Yomar Alamo 22-4-1 (13) Jr Welterweight
Roberto Ramirez 26-4-1 (19) Jr Welterweight
Jackson Marinez 22-4 (10) Jr Welterweight
Brayan Zamarripa 15-3 (6) Jr Welterweight
Vlad Panin 21-1 (13) Welterweight
Gabriel Maestre 6-1-1 (5) Welterweight
Julian Rodriguez 23-1 (14) Welterweight
Quinton Randall 15-2-1 (3) Welterweight
Greg Outlaw 17-2 (10) Welterweight
James Perella 19-0 (13) Welterweight
Peter Dobson 16-2 (9) Welterweight
Oliver Quintana 22-3 (16) Welterweight
Alan Sanchez 24-6-1 (10) Welterweight
Janelson Figueroa 17-3-1 (11) Welterweight
Brandon Adams 25-4 (16) Jr Middleweight
Alejandro Luis Silva 24-0-1 (19) Jr Middleweight
Ray Robinson 26-3-2 (14) Jr Middleweight
Isaias Lucero 19-2 (13) Jr Middleweight
Oluwafemi Oyeleye 16-0 (10) Jr Middleweight
Robert Terry 12-1-1 (4) Jr Middleweight
Marquis Taylor 18-1-2 (3) Middleweight
Jose Benavidez Jr 29-3-1 (20) Middleweight
Luis Arias 22-4-1 (11) Middleweight
Ismael Villarreal 14-3 (10) Middleweight
Steven Nelson 20-1 (16) Super Middleweight
Thomas LaManna 39-5-1 (18) Super Middleweight
Carlos Gongora 22-3 (17) Super Middleweight
Shawn McCalman 15-1 (7) Super Middleweight
Sena Agbeko 29-4 (23) Super Middleweight
Tyrell Boyd 15-0 (14) Super Middleweight
Kevin Newman 16-3-1 (10) Super Middleweight
Paul Kroll 12-0-2 (8) Super Middleweight
Sean Hemphill 18-2 (11) Super Middleweight
Juan Carillo 14-0 (10) Light Heavyweight
Lawrence King 18-1 (14) Light Heavyweight
Deon Nicholson 21-1 (17) Light Heavyweight
Jose Uzcategui 34-5 (29) Light Heavyweight
Demond Nicholson 27-6-1 (23) Light Heavyweight
Antwan Jones 18-0 (10) Light Heavyweight
Kalvin Henderson 19-2-1 (13) Light Heavyweight
Dusty Hernandez-Harrison 37-0-1 (23) Cruiserweight
Muhsin Cason 12-0 (9) Cruiserweight
Michael Hunter 24-1-2 (17) Heavyweight
Otto Wallin 27-3 (15) Heavyweight
Jonathan Guidry 21-1-2 (13) Heavyweight
Stephan Shaw 20-2 (15) Heavyweight
Jerry Forrest 28-6-2 (20) Heavyweight
Second Tier Prospects
Abraham Perez 10-0 (5) Flyweight
Saleto Henderson 10-2 (7) Flyweight
Michael Angeletti 13-0 (8) Bantamweight
Juan Zayas 11-0-1 (8) Bantamweight
Gabriel Muratalla 13-0 (6) Bantamweight
Dylan Price 19-0 (13) Jr Featherweight
Christian Carto 23-1 (16) Jr Featherweight
Felix Parrilla 10-0 (8) Featherweight
Jordan White 18-1 (12) Jr Lightweight
Haven Brady 14-0 (6) Jr Lightweight
Dominique Jamar Francis 16-0 (10) Jr Lightweight
Justin Viloria 8-0 (6) Jr Lightweight
Luis Rodriguez Fernandez 14-0 (12) Lightweight
Antonio Perez 10-0 (5) Lightweight
Charlie Sheehy 10-0 (5) Lightweight
Bryan Lua 10-0 (5) Lightweight
Shamar Canal 10-0 (6) Lightweight
Anthony Cuba 9-1-2 (4) Lightweight
Breyon Gorham 18-0 (15) Jr Welterweight
Avious Griffin 17-0 (16) Welterweight
Kelvin Davis 14-0 (7) Welterweight
Thanjhae Teasley 12-0 (6) Welterweight
Juan Luis Aldana 21-0 (14) Welterweight
Tahmir Smalls 13-0 (9) Welterweight
Travon Marshall 11-1 (9) Jr Middleweight
Joshua Anton 10-0 (9) Middleweight
Lazaro Lorenzana 17-0 (12) Middleweight
Nikita Ababiy 13-0 (7) Middleweight
Ernesbadi Begue 11-0 (7) Super Middleweight
Dante Benjamin 10-0-1 (8) Light Heavyweight
Luis Tejeda 10-0-1 (7) Light Heavyweight
Lorenzo Simpson 15-2 (9) Light Heavyweight
Ivan Dychko 14-0 (13) Heavyweight
Sonny Conto 13-0 (10) Heavyweight
Antonio Mireles 9-0-1 (7) Heavyweight
Kristian Prenga 17-1 (17) Heavyweight
Vladislav Syrenko 22-0 (19) Heavyweight