Barry Hearn criticized the lack of manners in Conor Benn’s departure from Matchroom to Zuffa Boxing without engaging with Eddie Hearn. Benn, aged 29, revealed the split on Friday and will now be managed by the Saudi-backed promoter led by UFC president Dana White.
Benn chose to leave the promoters who supported him for a decade, even through challenging times like a failed drug test. Eddie Hearn praised Benn after his victory against Chris Eubank Jnr last year.
Despite Zuffa’s tempting offer, Benn’s refusal to discuss the situation with Eddie Hearn left the senior Hearn disappointed. Barry Hearn expressed his disappointment, emphasizing the significance of loyalty and teamwork that the previous team had shown.
Benn’s move to Zuffa makes him the second high-profile signing after cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. Eddie Hearn had anticipated future opportunities after Benn’s triumph over Eubank Jnr, but those plans will no longer involve him.
Barry Hearn revealed that Conor Benn opted for legal discussions when Eddie proposed a meeting, a decision that disappointed him deeply. Benn, the mandatory challenger for the WBC welterweight title, defended his decision by stating that rejecting the lucrative offer would have been unwise.
Hearn Sr. clarified that Benn’s choice of a different direction could have been acceptable if the process had been handled differently. “We have high standards, but they were not reciprocated,” he commented.