Chris Eubank Jr has taken a swipe at promoter Eddie Hearn after Conor Benn confirmed his departure from Matchroom Boxing to join Zuffa Boxing, the promotion led by UFC chief Dana White. The move ends a decade-long partnership between Benn and Hearn’s Matchroom, which had overseen his professional career since its inception.
Benn, 29, signed a lucrative one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing, a decision that came days after a heated exchange between Hearn and White. The switch delivers a significant blow to Hearn, who recently lost one of his most prominent fighters. Benn avenged his only professional defeat by defeating Eubank Jr in their rematch in November 2024, extending his record to 24 wins.
Eubank Jr, who had previously engaged in verbal spats with Hearn during press tours, could not resist taunting the promoter. In a social media post, he wrote: “Eddddieeee how you feeling buddy? @EddieHearn.” The mockery underscores the lingering tension between the two camps following their bitter rivalry.
Hearn, visibly dejected, admitted fault for not securing Benn with a longer-term contract earlier. “I blame myself, because I forgot it was boxing,” he said. “I felt the loyalty we’ve shown would never put us in this position. I misjudged the character.”
Benn, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to Hearn and Matchroom while citing the allure of legacy fights as his motivation. “I want the legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages,” he stated. “I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for.”
