Conor Benn’s stunning exit from Matchroom, to join Zuffa Boxing in a reported one-fight deal worth $15 million, blindsided many in the sport and, perhaps, even those at the London-based combat sports promoter, too.
Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn told Boxing Social today that he’d never have begrudged Benn, or any fighter, an opportunity to sign a contract if there were greater money elsewhere. However, what has irked him, per interviews with other organizations, is not being able to have spoken to the fighter — one he’d fiercely stood by during his lowest ebb, when he tested positive for the banned substance clomiphene.
And it’s not just Hearn who felt aggrieved, with his right-hand man and CEO, Frank Smith, saying similar.
Boxing, as Hearn explained to Boxing Social’s Matthew Lenihan on Thursday, “is a funny, old game” that, like life, creates situations where “you never know what’s going to happen.”
But because of the way in which the situation played out, it leaves Hearn hesitant, for now at least, to consider welcoming him back to his roster.
“The person I thought he was, he’s not. It makes you question everything.”
Watch the interview in full right here:
It was not the only thing Hearn talked about when it came to Benn.
As Boxing Social reported this week, Benn’s first fight since leaving Matchroom is against Regis Prograis. The 150-pound catchweight fight will take place in the co-main event on the Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov card held April 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — the third successive time Benn will compete at the 62,850-seater soccer stadium.
For Hearn, it’s little more than “a tick over” kind of fight. A tune-up.
“I love Regis,” he said. “[But] he’s coming toward the end of his career. If you look at the Jo Jo Diaz fight, He’s getting buzzed and hurt. So Conor should look really good in that fight.”
Hearn continued: “It’s not the fight I’d have made because I’d have wanted to put him in a big fight, probably for a world championship.
“It’s a good tick-over until something bigger comes along.”
Read More: