Barry Hearn Brands Conor Benn 'Classless' After Shock Matchroom Departure
Barry Hearn has unleashed a blistering critique of boxer Conor Benn, labelling his sudden exit from Matchroom Sport as 'classless' and the 'bitterest exit' he has encountered in his extensive career. The founder and president of the boxing promoter expressed profound disappointment over Benn's decision to leave after a decade-long association, which ended with the boxer joining Dana White's Saudi-backed Zuffa company.
A Decade-Long Partnership Ends Abruptly
Conor Benn announced on Friday that he has severed ties with Matchroom Sport, marking the conclusion of a ten-year professional relationship that began when he turned professional. This move follows his high-profile victory against Chris Eubank Jr at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November, a triumph that had positioned him favourably within the boxing world.
However, the manner of Benn's departure has ignited fury from Hearn, who claims the boxer communicated his decision exclusively through legal representatives, bypassing direct dialogue. Eddie Hearn, Matchroom chairman, had previously described the move as a 'dagger in the heart', a sentiment strongly echoed by his father, Barry.
Hearn's Emotional Outburst on talkSPORT
In an interview with talkSPORT, Barry Hearn voiced his deep sense of betrayal, stating: 'This wasn't the average relationship with a contracted boxer, this was special. Conor was as close as he could have been to being part of the family.' He detailed the perceived slight, noting that when Eddie Hearn suggested a meeting to discuss the situation via text, Benn responded by insisting it was best to handle matters through lawyers.
Hearn continued, expressing his dismay: 'After 10 years of what we've gone through with him, I think in my 50-odd years of promoting sport, this is the most horrible, outrageous... I can't describe the feeling of when you've been let down.' He drew a poignant analogy, likening the situation to a marital breakdown: 'I suppose it's a bit like you've been married for 10 years and your wife walks out and you think, why? I didn't think he was that type of boy. It's a classless way of doing it when you've got an open relationship.'
Financial Allure Versus Personal Betrayal
Despite acknowledging the financial incentives behind Benn's move, Hearn criticised the method of departure. He remarked: 'With the last Eubank fight, we couldn't have been in a better position. It's sad to think that Conor went off to America just to solicit offers and got a huge one. But you don't disband a team and even if you do, you don't do it by text or by lawyers.' This highlights the tension between business opportunities and personal loyalty in the high-stakes world of professional boxing.
The split underscores the volatile nature of athlete-promoter relationships, where financial gains can sometimes overshadow longstanding partnerships. Hearn's comments reflect a broader industry trend where moves to lucrative deals, such as those backed by Saudi interests, are becoming increasingly common, yet the emotional fallout remains significant for those left behind.
