Matchroom president Barry Hearn has launched a scathing attack on Conor Benn's decision to join Dana White's Zuffa Boxing stable, labeling the move as "horrible" and "outrageous." The boxing promoter expressed deep disappointment after Benn announced his shock departure from Matchroom on Friday, ending a decade-long professional relationship.
A Decade-Long Partnership Ends Abruptly
Conor Benn, the son of former two-division world champion Nigel Benn, had been promoted by Matchroom throughout his entire 10-year professional career. His defection to Zuffa Boxing represents the most significant signing yet for the new promotion, which is run by UFC chief Dana White and backed by Saudi Arabian investment.
"This wasn't the average relationship with a contracted boxer, this was special. Conor was as close as he could have been to being part of the family," said Hearn, who is the father of Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn. The veteran promoter revealed that when Eddie suggested meeting to discuss the situation via text message, Benn responded that it would be best to handle matters through lawyers.
Hearn's Emotional Response to the Departure
"After 10 years of what we've gone through with him, I think in my 50-odd years of promoting sport, this is the most horrible, outrageous... I can't describe the feeling of when you've been let down," Hearn stated emphatically. He compared the situation to a marital breakdown, saying, "I suppose it's a bit like you've been married for 10 years and your wife walks out and you think, why? I didn't think he was that type of boy."
The Matchroom president criticized Benn's handling of the departure as "classless," particularly given what he described as an "open relationship" between the boxer and the promotion. Hearn made these comments during an interview on TalkSport radio, where he expressed his frustration with how the separation was managed.
Matchroom's Support During Difficult Times
Matchroom had stood firmly by Benn during an 18-month absence from the ring while the boxer fought doping allegations. The promotion supported his return to boxing, which culminated in significant career achievements last year. Benn fought twice against Chris Eubank Jr., the son of his father's historic rival Nigel Benn, ultimately winning their November rematch in what represented a career high point.
"With the last Eubank fight, we couldn't have been in a better position," Hearn noted. "It's sad to think that Conor went off to America just to solicit offers and got a huge one. But you don't disband a team and even if you do, you don't do it by text or by lawyers."
The Rise of Zuffa Boxing
Dana White, who transformed UFC into a multi-billion-dollar global enterprise, launched Zuffa Boxing last year in partnership with Saudi impresario Turki Alalshikh. The new boxing promotion staged its inaugural event in January and is scheduled to host its first title fight next month, featuring cruiserweights Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton.
While Benn's signing represents a major coup for Zuffa Boxing, no specific date has been announced for his debut with the promotion. The move signals White's ambitious expansion into professional boxing, leveraging his combat sports expertise and substantial financial backing from Saudi Arabian interests.
The boxing world now watches with keen interest as this dramatic promoter-boxer split unfolds, with Hearn's emotional comments highlighting the personal and professional stakes involved in such high-profile transitions within the sport.
