Benn’s departure surprised many inside the business. The 29-year-old reportedly secured a one-fight agreement worth about $15 million with the new promotional venture led by Dana White. Hearn said he was given only three days to match the offer, a window he described as commercially unrealistic.
The Matchroom promoter explained that another part of the conversation left him stunned.
“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 said the proposal was circulated internally within Matchroom before any response was considered.
“I’ve received it and it’s gone to Frank Smith and Shaun Palmer,” Hearn said. “And we’re all then straight on like, ‘Have you seen that? Are they having a laugh?’ Everyone was just completely shocked.”
The split ended a long partnership. Hearn promoted Benn from his professional debut at 19 and guided his rise through the welterweight ranks into major headline fights.
Hearn also expressed frustration with how the communication unfolded once the negotiations began to shift. According to him, the first formal notice of Benn’s move arrived through legal channels rather than a direct conversation with the fighter.
“I text Conor maybe four or five days later and said, ‘I really think we should have a call,’” Hearn said. “For everything that I’ve done for you, I don’t think it’s fair that I should have to deal with a letter from your lawyer.”
Despite the disagreement, Hearn said his objection was not about Benn pursuing a larger payday.
“To be honest, I think people get it mixed up,” Hearn said. “A fighter shouldn’t be denied the chance to make a lot of money for their family. I couldn’t agree more. This is not about that.”
Benn’s move places him under the Zuffa Boxing banner as the new promotion begins building its roster. His next fight is scheduled for April 11 in a 150-pound catchweight bout against former junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis.
The matchup will place Benn back in the ring under new promotional leadership while the fallout from his split with Matchroom continues to generate discussion around the business side of the sport.
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