Eddie Hearn has responded to criticism from UFC president Dana White following the departure of Conor Benn from Matchroom Boxing to Zuffa Boxing, saying he stands by his reaction to the split.
The dispute between the two promoters comes after Benn signed a one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing, the new promotion backed by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. Benn had been represented by Hearn for most of his career, and White mocked the promoter during the UFC Houston post-fight press conference, asking: “Is there a bigger p*ssy than Eddie Hearn?”
Hearn rejected that criticism while addressing the situation publicly. “I hear people’s comments like Dana White [saying] ‘Eddie Hearn is a p*ssy,’ Terence Crawford [saying,] ‘Do you think Eddie Hearn actually cares about these guys?’” Hearn said, according to IFL.tv and MMA Fighting. “I’m not saying I’m different but we’re very different to Dana White and those guys. They don’t give a f*ck about the fighters.”
The Matchroom boss said his reaction reflects how invested he becomes in the fighters he works with. “You can’t think when Dalton [Smith] wins, that’s me putting on this act of jumping in the ring like an absolute clown, diving on the floor looking like Humpty Dumpty? That’s because I care,” Hearn added. “If you think ‘you’re a p*ssy’ for showing emotion or caring, then so be it. We’re very different people.”
Hearn also acknowledged that Benn’s decision to leave had been difficult, though he insisted he had moved on from the situation. “But I do care and it did hurt and I do feel massively betrayed but at the same time, I haven’t been moping around this week going ‘Oh my god, it still cuts so deep,’” Hearn said. “You just look at it and go I know what you are and that’s it and you’ve got to live with that.”
Looking ahead, Hearn said White’s comments may even help raise his profile in the United States while the rivalry between boxing promoters continues to develop. “First, this is so good for me,” Hearn continued. “You’re sitting at your UFC press conference and you’re talking about me. In terms of me building a profile or brand in the U.S., this is golden. The more they talk about me, the better.”
Zuffa Boxing’s deal with Benn is funded by SELA, the organisation headed by Turki Alalshikh, while TKO Group Holdings — the parent company of the UFC and Zuffa Boxing — receives a fee to organise and promote events. Despite losing one of his top fighters, Hearn said he has no issue with Alalshikh’s role in the move. “I have no problem with Turki Alalshikh at all,” he explained.
“But I know he does and when he needs me, we’ll do business. And when he doesn’t need me, or he wants to try and f*ck me, he might f*ck me. But at least I know.”
