Frank Warren Takes Brutal Dig at Conor Benn After Eddie Hearn Split
Frank Warren has launched a scathing attack on Conor Benn's lucrative £10 million deal with Dana White, casting doubt on its value and asserting that Benn is not even the top fighter in his weight class in Essex. This criticism follows Benn's controversial move to sign a one-fight agreement with White's Zuffa Boxing promotion, ending his ten-year association with Eddie Hearn without prior discussion.
Warren Questions the Investment in Benn
Warren, who is currently pursuing $1 billion in damages from TKO, the parent company of Zuffa, expressed skepticism about the financial wisdom behind the deal. "I'll tell you something, the sums of monies that's being paid... I don't see what the investment that type of investment is doing," he stated bluntly. "He's not even the best at his weight in Essex."
Despite his harsh words, Warren offered a terse nod of acknowledgment, saying, "But good luck to him, good luck to him and he's getting a few quid and it is what it is." He elaborated further, noting, "For me, I would find definitely better places to spend my money on, or better fighters to spend my money on. I don't see that investment, but maybe I'm getting older and they know better than I do."
Backing Eddie Hearn in the Fallout
Eddie Hearn was reportedly left furious by Benn's decision to part ways without a conversation, and Warren has publicly supported his former rival in this dispute. Warren revealed that he sent Hearn a private message, drawing a parallel to a personal anecdote from his past. "I actually sent him a little note. I said... I'm not going to say what I sent in a note, but I sent him a little note, sent him a text," Warren shared.
He recounted, "It reminded me when I got shot years ago and there was a fighter who said, 'I wish I was there. I would've took a bullet for you and all that s***'. I'm in the hospital and a month later he went over and signed with Barry Hearn. I remember sending him a message saying, 'Where were you when I needed you to take that bullet? I don't know how it will end.'" This story underscores Warren's view of loyalty and betrayal in the boxing world, aligning with Hearn's sense of frustration over Benn's abrupt departure.
Conor Benn is expected to make his debut under the Zuffa Boxing banner in the UK this spring, a move that has sparked significant controversy and debate within the sport. Warren's comments highlight the ongoing tensions and financial scrutiny surrounding high-profile boxing deals, particularly in the wake of splits with long-term promoters like Eddie Hearn.
