Eddie Hearn rips Conor Benn’s Zuffa Boxing deal: ‘It’s an ongoing issue’
Eddie Hearn said his relationship with Conor Benn is finished after the welterweight signed a five-fight extension with Zuffa Boxing through 2028.
Benn inked the deal with Dana White’s operation on Thursday, per Bad Left Hook, roughly a month after his underwhelming decision over Regis Prograis in what was originally a one-fight arrangement worth $15 million. Asked about the move, Hearn barely masked his displeasure. “Yeah, some people aren’t as smart as they think,” Hearn told reporters, according to Bad Left Hook. “I can’t really comment on it too much at the moment, it’s an ongoing issue.”
Hearn says lack of honesty has been beaming throughout
The Matchroom boss added that dishonesty had coloured the entire situation. “The lack of honesty all around has been beaming throughout, so, you know, it’s just funny how people want to dress it up and the lengths that they’ll go to to dress it up,” he said. “But we shall get to the bottom of it.” Pressed on whether the relationship with Benn could be salvaged, Hearn was blunt. “Yes. Without doubt,” he said. “Listen, I wish him all the best but when you think someone was someone and they show you they’re really not, it makes you question everything they’ve told you throughout the whole time.”
White announced the Zuffa extension during an ESPN segment, confirming Benn will fight five times under the banner before the end of 2028. Benn told ESPN he still plans to chase his WBC mandatory title shot at welterweight. White used the appearance to take another swipe at the sport’s traditional structure, calling boxing more broken than he expected and claiming promoters treat every card like a going-out-of-business sale.
Hearn said more details about his split with Benn will emerge soon. The welterweight’s next opponent and fight date under Zuffa have not been announced.
Photo by Nereid Ndreu on Unsplash
Original reporting:
- badlefthook.com — Eddie Hearn reacts to Conor Benn’s new deal with Zuffa Boxing | Bad Left Hook
- badlefthook.com — Conor Benn signs five-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing | Bad Left Hook