Conor Benn Reveals All On Leaving Matchroom – ‘Change Is Never Comfortable'

Conor Benn ended his decade-long partnership with Matchroom Boxing, labeling it the best move for his family. 

Leaving Eddie Hearn, the promoter who guided him from his professional debut to stardom, was a move Benn described as "heart-wrenching" but ultimately necessary. The 29-year-old welterweight has now signed a lucrative one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing. Reports indicate that the Zuffa deal for his upcoming April bout with Regis Prograis is worth $15 million. 

Benn addressed rumors regarding his legal battle following his 2022 drug testing saga. He explicitly denied Eddie Hearn’s claims of a loan to cover legal costs. The departure was notably tense, with Eddie Hearn admitting he felt "devastated" by the move, especially as it coincided with a public war of words between Hearn and Dana White.

“It’s not often you get shocked, and I blame myself. I blame myself. Because I just forgot it was boxing, you know? I just felt that the loyalty that we’ve shown would never, ever put us in this position. And I just felt that I never really needed to push Conor Benn to sign a new contract previously. 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.“And again, I’m not going to hang him out to dry. He will say, ‘Oh, it was a big offer!’ But, you know, when I received the email from his lawyer, I texted him and said, ‘I think we should have a call. For everything I’ve done for you, I think I deserve a call,’ and he said no. And I was like, man, f*ck. I can’t believe it,” Hearn stated

Benn Reacts

Benn confirmed he declined an immediate phone call with Hearn following the signing, believing that a heated conversation would not have been productive.

"They are the foundation of who Conor Benn is today. They’re my home, my friends, my people. I can hand on heart say it’s the best decision I made for my family. I want to look back in five, ten years and go, was that the best decision for my family? He didn’t lend me a cent. It all fell on me. Change is never comfortable. It’s all I’ve ever known for 10 years. The belts mean nothing. Your children are your legacy," Benn said

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.