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Conor Benn leaves Matchroom for Zuffa Boxing, shocking many

Feb 21, 2026, 7:45 PM20
(Update: Feb 23, 2026, 1:05 PM)
boxer
British boxing promoter

Conor Benn leaves Matchroom for Zuffa Boxing, shocking many

  • Conor Benn departed from Matchroom Sport to join Zuffa Boxing, which has caused a significant stir in the boxing industry.
  • Both Eddie Hearn and Barry Hearn expressed feelings of betrayal due to the manner of Benn's departure.
  • This move is seen as altering dynamics between rival promoters and could have long-term consequences in boxing.
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Story

In a significant shift within the boxing world, Conor Benn, a prominent 29-year-old fighter, announced his departure from Matchroom Sport to join Dana White's Zuffa organization. This decision has sent shockwaves through the sport, especially considering Benn's close relationship with Matchroom and its chairman, Eddie Hearn. Benn's exit came shortly after he won a rematch against Chris Eubank Jr. at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking a comeback in his career. However, unlike typical farewells, Benn communicated his decision through legal representatives, prompting Hearn to describe the method as classless and deeply hurtful. Many within the boxing community viewed this unexpected defection as a betrayal. Hearn's emotional reaction underscores the complexities of relationships in professional boxing, particularly considering the rivalries between promoters. In his statements, Hearn expressed a sense of personal betrayal, highlighting how this split contrasts with the familial ties that had been fostered over the previous decade of cooperation. Barry Hearn, the founder of Matchroom, articulated similar sentiments, depicting the departure as one of the most difficult and disappointing moments in his 50-plus years of promoting sports. He likened it to experiencing a painful personal loss, suggesting that the manner of the exit was particularly jarring, given how closely Benn had been involved with the organization. The business relationships in boxing are often fraught with tensions, but this incident sharply illustrates the potential for emotional fallout when a fighter transitions to a rival promoter. The division’s recent competitive atmosphere, marked by a public dispute between Eddie Hearn and Dana White, sets the backdrop for Benn's controversial choice, indicating that this might lead to further escalating rivalries in the boxing industry.

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