Eddie Hearn has expressed his devastation after Conor Benn sensationally ditched Matchroom Boxing to sign with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing. The 29-year-old welterweight announced the move on Friday, ending a decade-long relationship with Hearn's promotion.
Hearn told iFL TV he was informed of the decision via Benn's lawyer and was refused a phone call with the fighter. 'I blame myself. I forgot it was boxing. I just felt the loyalty that we have shown would never ever put us in this position,' he said. Hearn admitted he may have 'misjudged the character' of Benn, adding: 'It feels a little bit of a wasted few years. I gave a lot... Loaned him hundreds of thousands of pounds.'
Benn, son of British legend Nigel Benn, thanked Hearn for standing by him during tough periods, including after he failed two drug tests in 2022. He said Zuffa presented 'an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse' and expressed excitement for 'legacy fights' on the biggest stages. The deal is reportedly a one-fight agreement worth eight figures, leaving Benn a free agent after his Zuffa debut.
Chris Eubank Jr, whom Benn defeated in a rematch in December, launched a scathing attack on social media, questioning whether Hearn or Benn was the 'scumbag' in the split. 'Eddie stuck by Conor Benn through thick & thin... this really is a conundrum,' Eubank Jr wrote.
