Eddie Hearn believes boxing could be heading toward a clear divide, stating that fighters who sign with Zuffa Boxing should no longer be eligible to compete for traditional world titles.
Speaking openly, the Matchroom promoter suggested the sport may soon be forced to choose between two systems - the long-established sanctioning-body structure and the new model being developed under Dana White and TKO.
“If you sign with Zuffa, you can’t win a world championship,” Hearn said. “You can’t have it both ways.”
His comments come at a time when several fighters have already begun drifting toward the Zuffa project, including names like Teofimo Lopez Jr. and Richardson Hitchins, who have stepped away from title paths or vacated belts amid links to the new venture.
Hearn’s stance highlights a growing tension in boxing. On one side sits the traditional system, governed by bodies such as the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO, offering legacy, rankings, and recognized championships. On the other is a new structure that promises financial backing, centralized promotion, and a different kind of visibility.
For fighters, the dilemma is becoming clearer. Pursuing one path may mean sacrificing the other.
Image Credit: DAZN