Eddie Hearn has accused Conor Benn of rejecting three world title fights before the British boxer parted ways with Matchroom to join forces with UFC president Dana White and Zuffa Boxing. Benn stunned the boxing world in February when he ended his long-standing partnership with Hearn in favour of a lucrative deal with White's promotional outfit.
Benn's Move to Zuffa Boxing
The 29-year-old, known as 'The Destroyer', signed a £10 million one-fight contract with Zuffa and made his promotional debut on the undercard of Tyson Fury's bout last month. He secured a victory over a sluggish Regis Prograis, avenging a previous loss to long-time rival Chris Eubank Jr. Just days after that win, Benn committed to Zuffa by signing a new five-fight deal. He is now being lined up for a potential world title showdown with welterweight champion Ryan Garcia, which is rumoured to take place in Las Vegas this August.
Hearn's Bombshell Claims
According to Hearn, Benn declined multiple opportunities to fight for world titles while still under contract with Matchroom. Speaking during a recent media scrum, the promoter revealed that Benn showed little interest in facing champions Lewis Crocker, Rolando Romero, and Josh Kelly. “When Lewis Crocker won the world title, I thought, ‘Crocker versus Benn at the O2 Arena for the world title would be massive,’” Hearn said. “But Conor said, ‘Nah, I don’t want that fight.’ He then started talking about rehydration policies and other excuses.”
Hearn continued: “Then I proposed Rolly Romero. We had that fight agreed with his manager, but Benn said, ‘It’s not a big fight.’ I told him, ‘You’d be getting a world title fight in London, and I think you can beat Romero.’ Then I suggested Josh Kelly at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Benn replied, ‘I ain’t fighting Josh Kelly.’ I think he knows his limitations, so why would you get beaten for small money when you can get beaten for bigger money?”
Roy Jones Jr.'s Warning
As Benn plots a summer clash with Garcia, boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. has warned that the Brit may be out of his depth. “We found out that Benn is still a work in progress and not there yet,” Jones told Grosvenor Casino. “Coming down from 160lb to fight a guy moving up from 140lb at 147lb, you should dominate him. But he struggled with Prograis, who is at the end of his career. If you can’t handle Prograis, you’re not ready for top-tier opponents.”
Jones added: “Rolly Romero would be a great test for Benn. It would show whether he can elevate his game. If he can’t, time might be running out. The Romero fight would reveal the truth.”
Benn's future remains uncertain, but Hearn's revelations have cast doubt on the boxer's ambition to challenge for world titles.
