Eddie Hearn says Conor Benn’s camp offered him money in an attempt to keep him from speaking negatively after the British fighter agreed to join Zuffa Boxing.
Benn’s exit caught many in the boxing business by surprise, particularly after reports that the 29-year-old secured a one-fight agreement worth around $15 million with the new promotion led by Dana White. Hearn said he was given only three days to match the offer, which was, as he says, commercially unrealistic.
According to Hearn, the most surprising moment came when he was told there could be money offered if he stayed quiet about the split. “There was something else which was, ‘We’ll give you a few quid if you don’t say anything bad,’ kind of thing,” Hearn said while speaking to iFL TV. “And I was like, ‘What?’ ‘We still want to work with you and here’s a few quid.’”
Hearn explained that the proposal was immediately shared internally within Matchroom. “I’ve received it and it’s gone to Frank Smith and Shaun Palmer,” he said. “And we’re all then straight on like, ‘Have you seen that? Are they having a laugh?’ Everyone was just completely shocked.”
The promoter also expressed frustration with how the situation unfolded, saying the first formal confirmation of Benn’s move arrived through legal channels rather than directly from the fighter. Benn is now set to face former junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis on April 11 in a 150-pound catchweight bout - his first fight under the Zuffa Boxing banner.
Image Credit: Sky Sports