Conor Benn Ditches Matchroom and Eddie Hearn for Zuffa Boxing
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the sport, Conor Benn (24-1, 14 KOs) has parted ways with Matchroom Boxing and signed with promotional upstart Zuffa Boxing. For some, it’s another example of a fighter prioritizing financial opportunity over loyalty and long-term positioning.
Benn made the announcement via social media, stating that the offer presented to him was simply too good to refuse.
CHANGING MOTIVES?
His former promoter appears blindsided. Matchroom CEO Eddie Hearn revealed in an interview with IFL TV that he was notified by email from Benn’s lawyer just days before the public announcement. While Hearn has stopped short of publicly condemning Benn, he made it clear that the manner in which the split unfolded felt underhanded.
Hearn’s disappointment is understandable. He guided Benn from his professional debut to becoming one of boxing’s most talked-about figures. Benn’s back-to-back grudge matches with Chris Eubank Jr. delivered career-high paydays and mainstream attention. Even during Benn’s suspension following a positive test for clomifene in October 2022, Hearn stood firmly by his fighter while critics labeled Benn a drug cheat. Now, questions linger about what Zuffa Boxing can realistically offer him.
Benn has publicly expressed interest in fighting the winner of a potential clash between WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia. However, Zuffa’s previously stated position of operating outside the four major sanctioning bodies raises legitimate concerns.
If Benn’s ambition is to capture a recognized world title and compete with the elite at 147 and 154 pounds, will Zuffa’s model support that path? Or, does this decision signal that financial gain has become the primary driver? Only time will reveal whether this gamble elevates Benn’s career or isolates him from boxing’s traditional power structure.
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