Eight-figure Zuffa deal ends Matchroom run and shifts leverage in the welterweight market
Conor Benn has split from Matchroom and signed a reported eight-figure, one-fight agreement with Zuffa Boxing. Eddie Hearn admits he failed to secure a long-term contract and absorbed the break personally.
Hearn spoke to iFL TV. The split came by email from Benn’s lawyer.
“I’ve known about this for a few days now, what was unfolding. I actually received an email from Conor Benn’s lawyer to make me aware of it,” Hearn said. “I’m not going to sit here and hang Conor Benn out to dry. But, I got to be honest with you, me personally, pretty devastated.”
He did not hide from the contract issue.
“It’s not often you get shocked, but I blame myself because I forgot it was boxing,” Hearn said. “I just felt that the loyalty that we’ve shown would never ever put us in this position. I just felt that I never really needed to push Conor Benn to sign a new contract, previously, and I probably could have got him to sign a new contract previously. Like I said, I blame myself; I made a mistake because I misjudged the character.”
When Hearn asked for a call, Benn declined.
“When I received the email from his lawyer, I texted him and said I think we should have a call. I think for everything I’ve done for you, I deserve a call, and he said no,” Hearn said.
Benn, 23-0, rebuilt his standing after the two adverse findings in 2022 and the contamination ruling in 2024. Matchroom backed him through hearings and medical panels. That kind of backing is noted in promoter offices.
Technically, Benn had matured into a compact pressure puncher at welterweight. He starts with the jab, steps in hard, and throws the right hand with bad intentions. His workrate inside ten rounds had become his selling point. Zuffa is buying a headline name with spite in his shots and a UK base.
There is no belt attached to this move. No mandatory slot changes hands. Alphabet rankings do not transfer with a signature. A one-fight deal is leverage, not security. It gives Benn negotiating power and gives Zuffa a market entry piece.
When Anthony Joshua’s name surfaced, Hearn drew a line.
“Joshua, you can’t mention those in the same breath for many reasons. Joshua is a different breed of class and loyalty,” Hearn said.
Joshua remains under contract. Benn does not.
Promoters remember who stayed. Fighters remember who paid.
This one goes on the board.