Barry Hearn has criticised Conor Benn for what he describes as a 'classless' exit from Matchroom Boxing, after the 29-year-old welterweight opted to join Zuffa Boxing, the Saudi-backed promotion headed by UFC president Dana White, without taking a call from Eddie Hearn.
Benn confirmed his departure from Matchroom on Friday night, ending a 10-year relationship with the promoters who stood by him during his failed drugs test and helped him avenge his loss to Chris Eubank Jr last year. Eddie Hearn had previously praised Benn after that victory, but the fighter's decision to leave without discussion has angered the Hearn family.
Barry Hearn said: 'I didn't think he was that type of boy. Maybe we got it wrong with Conor. We took his side, and we believed everything he said, and maybe we were wrong. It is personally disappointing because it goes beyond money.'
Benn claimed Zuffa had presented an opportunity he 'simply couldn't refuse', but when Eddie Hearn attempted to arrange a meeting via text, Benn suggested communicating through lawyers. Barry Hearn described this as 'the most horrible, outrageous' behaviour in his 50 years of promoting sport.
Hearn Snr insisted he would have no issue with Benn moving on if he had handled it differently, adding: 'We have very high standards, but those standards have not been reciprocated.' Benn, the mandatory challenger for the WBC welterweight title, said he would have been 'mentally ill' to turn down the lucrative offer.
