Conor Benn Joins Dana White's Zuffa Boxing
British boxing star Conor Benn (24-1) left Eddie Hearn's Matchroom to sign with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing, strengthening the roster that already added cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia last month. The move is seen as both a coup for White and a potential game-changer for boxing's promotional landscape. Industry observers are tracking whether Benn's switch leads to new cross-promotional events or MMA crossovers.
- Following a two-year battle, Conor Benn was cleared of any wrongdoing by the National Anti-Doping Panel in the winter of 2024, stemming from two positive tests for clomifene in 2022. Matchroom Boxing and promoter Eddie Hearn stood by Benn throughout the suspension. - Eddie Hearn, Benn's promoter for his entire 10-year professional career, expressed that he was "pretty devastated" by the move and admitted he "misjudged the character" of the fighter. Hearn learned of Benn's departure via an email from Benn's lawyer and a subsequent request for a call was declined by the boxer. - Zuffa Boxing is a joint venture between the TKO Group (parent company of UFC and WWE) and Sela, a company backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The promotion is spearheaded by UFC CEO Dana White and Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority. - The new promotion aims to replicate the UFC's centralized, league-style model in boxing, with a more consistent schedule of events and its own championships. This is a direct challenge to the traditional, fragmented structure of boxing which involves multiple promoters and sanctioning bodies. - Benn's reported deal with Zuffa is a one-fight contract worth eight figures, an opportunity his team described as something they "simply couldn't refuse". - The signing intensifies the public rivalry between Dana White and Eddie Hearn, who have recently exchanged sharp criticisms. White has been critical of Hearn's promotional success, while Hearn has questioned the vision and quality of Zuffa Boxing's initial events. - Benn's move to Zuffa follows the signing of IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, indicating the new promotion's strategy of acquiring established and high-profile fighters. - In his statement, Conor Benn left the door open for a future collaboration with his former promoter, stating he would "love Eddie to continue to be part of my team and for our partnership to evolve in this new chapter".
