Promoter Eddie Hearn Slams Dana White
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn responded sharply to Dana White's recent insults following the signing of boxer Conor Benn. Hearn accused the UFC of not caring about its fighters, escalating the public feud between the heads of the world's top boxing and MMA promotions.
The animosity exploded after boxer Conor Benn exited Hearn's Matchroom Boxing for Dana White's newly formed Zuffa Boxing. Hearn, who had promoted Benn for a decade, said he was "pretty devastated" and learned of the decision via an email from Benn's lawyer. White mocked Hearn's emotional response, repeatedly calling him a "pussy" and stating Hearn had the right to match Zuffa's offer but failed to do so. Hearn stood by Benn through a significant controversy that began in 2022, when Benn failed two separate drug tests for clomifene, a female fertility drug that can boost testosterone in men. The World Boxing Council (WBC) later cleared Benn, ruling that a "highly-elevated consumption of eggs" was a "reasonable explanation" for the findings, a conclusion Benn himself has distanced himself from, instead pointing to potential testing errors. The feud extends beyond personal insults into fundamental business disagreements, primarily centered on fighter compensation. Hearn's criticism of the UFC's business model highlights that its fighters receive a much smaller share of revenue compared to other major sports. UFC fighters receive approximately 16-20% of the promotion's revenue. In contrast, athletes in other major American sports leagues like the NBA and NFL have collective bargaining agreements that secure them around 48-50% of league revenues. Boxing operates under the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, a U.S. federal law that provides boxers with financial transparency and contractual protections that MMA fighters do not have. This legislation prevents a single entity from acting as both promoter and sanctioning body, giving boxers more leverage in negotiations. While Hearn has called the UFC's ability to pay fighters low percentages an "incredible" business achievement, he predicts a "revolt" as UFC talent sees the larger purses offered in boxing. The conflict represents a direct clash of promotional philosophies as White, backed by powerful Saudi Arabian official Turki Alalshikh, moves aggressively into Hearn's territory.
