When Dana White and Zuffa Boxing announced the shock signing of British welterweight star Conor Benn on Friday, the move shocked everyone in the sport. Benn has been with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions stable since his professional debut in 2016, and the two have overcome a lot of adversity on Benn’s journey to becoming one of boxing’s biggest draws.
Just hours after Benn’s departure was announced, Hearn responded to Benn’s departure on iFL TV. In a somber chat, the Matchroom chief admitted he was “completely shocked” by the news.
“I blame myself because I forgot this is boxing. I just feel like the loyalty we showed [Benn] We would never be put in this position. I just feel like I’ve never really had to push Connor Benn to sign a new contract before, and I could have gotten him to sign a new deal. But like I said, I blame myself.
“I made a mistake because I misjudged the role. Again, I wasn’t going to leave him out to dry. He was like, ‘This is a big offer, right?’ But, you know, when I got the email from his attorney, I texted him and said, ‘I think we should have a phone call. I think for everything I’ve done for you, I think I deserve a call.’ And he said, ‘No.’ I was like, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe it.’ ‘
“I just didn’t know what to say other than to feel like everything we gave him, the loyalty we gave him, the support we gave him, was enough for him to put things out – or just, you know, get close to a number. But that wasn’t the case. It wasn’t really an interest. So it was very, very surprising and very, very painful.”
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Hearn has had many fighters quit the promotion during his 15-year career in the promotion, but none were as painful as Ben’s exit from Matchroom. Just days ago, Matchroom announced a five-year contract extension with DAZN, and Benn’s face was pictured as one of the focal points of their stable.
According to Hearn, Ben sent him a message after the signing was announced on Friday, but things didn’t go well.
“I got a few text messages, [because Benn] Text me as soon as the announcement is made. And I responded, you know, we’ve had some back and forth, but you either feel like you didn’t do anything wrong or – like I said, everybody’s different. “
“[It] It feels like several years have been wasted [because] I paid a lot. I paid a lot. You know how hard I work [for Benn]. You know, I did it when no one believed in him and no one supported him. I believe in him, I support him, and I never give in. When he was done, [I] Lending him hundreds of thousands of pounds. “
In the summer of 2022, Benn failed two drug tests for the banned drug clomiphene. Benn then went through a two-year process to clear his name. During that time, many in the boxing world turned against Ben, including the British public. However, Hearn stood by Ben’s side throughout, insisting he believed his fighter was innocent.
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Hearn has received a lot of criticism from boxing fans for supporting those they feel are trying to cheat the sport. The Benn saga was the main topic of a number of fights between Hearn and talkSPORT host Simon Jordan, which made headlines across the UK. However, the British promoter vigorously defended his fighter at every turn, even supporting him financially so that Benn could pay his legal fees during the process. Hearn said the cancellation of Chris Eubank Jr.’s fight with Benn had cost him more than £1 million.
Benn is managed by Keith Connolly, who also represents Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins, both of whom have left Hearn’s matchroom in recent years. Hitchens angered Hearn by announcing his free agency in the ring following his successful title defense against George Kambosos in June.
“I blame myself,” Hearn concluded to Ben. “I got the character wrong. Because of what I did, I took loyalty for granted, and I shouldn’t have done that. I’ve made that mistake before in boxing, but I just didn’t expect Conor Benn to make that mistake. So like I said, maybe he’s not exactly who I thought he was. I don’t know. Look, maybe we’ll talk about it. [with Benn] In the future, but what can I say? “
