Dana White Blasts Eddie Hearn
Dana White called Eddie Hearn "a bigger p*ssy than anyone in boxing" after Conor Benn signed with Zuffa Boxing, leaving Hearn's Matchroom. The public reaction sets up a fierce promotional battle between Zuffa and Matchroom over talent, TV deals, and event supremacy.
- Conor Benn's contract with Zuffa Boxing is reportedly a one-fight deal worth an estimated $15 million, an amount considered one of the largest purses for a non-champion welterweight. - The departure was particularly galling for Eddie Hearn, as his Matchroom promotion had spent years defending Benn following two failed drug tests in 2022 that derailed a planned fight with Chris Eubank Jr. - Hearn stated he was "pretty devastated" by the move and blamed himself for misjudging Benn's character and taking his loyalty for granted after a 10-year partnership. He also revealed that when he learned of the signing via a lawyer's email, Benn refused his request for a phone call. - The verbal sparring between the two promoters had escalated even before Benn's signing, with White mocking Hearn for "working for his dad," to which Hearn retorted that White now has a "new daddy" in Turki Alalshikh, a key figure in Saudi Arabian boxing events. - Zuffa Boxing is a new promotional company from TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC and WWE, which aims to apply the UFC's centralized, league-style business model to the sport of boxing. - Before signing Benn, Zuffa Boxing also signed another high-profile fighter, cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia, signaling a clear intent to compete with established promoters for top talent. - Potential opponents for Benn's first fight with Zuffa, expected in the UK, include the winner of a Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia fight or Rolando Romero.
