Connect with us

Boxing

Dan Rafael says Conor Benn will earn $15 million for his Zuffa Fight contract

Published

on

Image: Dan Rafael Says Conor Benn Will Earn $15 Million for Zuffa Fight

Click here to watch Ryan Garcia Mario Barrios LIVE!

Conor Benn’s decision to leave Matchroom Boxing now comes at a price, and this figure explains why he made the move. According to veteran boxing reporter Dan Rafael, Benn will earn $15 million for the upcoming fight under the Zuffa Boxing banner, which confirms the financial scale of the one-fight agreement.

Rafael reported the portfolio numbers on Saturday, the first clear indication of how aggressively Zuffa has entered the market to secure Benn. The deal has already been described as an eight-figure deal, but the reported $15 million payout puts it among the largest single-fight prizes ever awarded to a non-world title fighter.

The size of the handbag explains why the decision was so abrupt, with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn left shocked. Eight figures quickly changes the conversation in this business.

Hearn said he was informed by Benn’s lawyer and did not receive a direct call from the player before the deal was made public. In boxing, this is a spotless breakthrough, made without a final round of talks.

Benn previously confirmed that his contract with Zuffa Boxing is for one fight only, which will allow him to return to free agency later. This structure protects his long-term flexibility while also allowing him to collect the largest payday of his career.

The financial commitment also signals Zuffa’s willingness to spend massive as it establishes itself in boxing. Benn becomes one of the first major fighters to be signed by the promotion, which operates under TKO Group Holdings, the same parent company as the UFC and WWE.

Benn enters into the deal following two high-profile fights against Chris Eubank Jr, which drew huge crowds in the UK despite Benn not holding a world title.

In boxing, loyalty is often tested by the wallet. Fifteen million dollars changes a player’s position from one day to the next.

When numbers reach this level, sentiment rarely dictates the next move. Money talks and the rest adapts.

Last update: 21/02/2026

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Jermell Charlo says Derrick James has changed with fame

Published

on

Image: Jermell Charlo says Derrick James changed as success grew

“Derrick James, he started getting a little more players and a little more buzz, and I feel like our communication has changed,” Charlo told Brian Custer.

Charlo said that as James built a larger stable, there was less hands-on time spent with him and more trying to control the gym environment. He claimed that James wanted things done his way, including telling players to remove dogs from the gym during training sessions and changing the atmosphere that helped build their success.

Charlo has been out of the ring since his loss to Saul Alvarez in 2023, and James recently split from Errol Spence Jr. A coach once considered one of the safest hands in the sport is suddenly facing public criticism from two of his biggest names.

“He wanted it his way,” Charlo said. “Coach needs us. Don’t overdo it, coach. Serene down, coach. I was your first champion.”

He also pointed to his camp leading up to the Alvarez fight, saying the support around him wasn’t the same when he needed it most.

“You don’t enter into a world title fight like that,” Charlo said.

Charlo still believes he can regain his spot in the junior middleweight division, and talks about a possible fight with Sebastian Fundora are ongoing later this year. His confidence hasn’t changed, but his patience with ancient alliances has noticeably changed. Sometimes a rift begins when success changes the room.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight: ‘It’s going to sound crazy’

Published

on

Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: “This is going to sound mad”

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua look set to face each other later this year in what could be one of the biggest British boxing events of all time.

Another British legend, Naseem Hamed, presented the course of the fight in a surprising way.

Fury had his ring returned within a a decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov earlier this monthshaking off ring rust at the age of 37 and allegedly preparing for a showdown with Joshua that the “Gypsy King” was set to take place this summer.

However, ‘AJ’ instead maintained that he would prefer a warm-up fight first, with the Londoner expected to return to action in July, ahead of a long-awaited meeting with his arch-rival in November.

I’m talking to talkSPORT BoxingHamed was looking forward to this match and suggested that a draw could be on the cards.

“Who do I think will win the fight between AJ and Fury? Well, that is the question and everyone wants to know.

“Years ago, Tyson had this awkward style for me where he could make AJ look stupid, that’s true. Now everything has changed. Tyson seemed to have backed off a little bit.

“But with Tyson Fury you never know, maybe one night he’ll show up and box amazingly and do what he did to Wilder. Those first few rounds [against Makhmudov]I was a little disappointed that he didn’t go from the start.

“This is going to sound crazy to you, but would it be unbelievable if I said it could be a draw?”

It is unclear whether Fury will also fight in the summer or whether he will avoid risking a lucrative romance with Joshua and wait patiently on the sidelines.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Adam Smith reveals Ben Whittaker’s summer fight plan

Published

on

Image: Adam Smith reveals Ben Whittaker summer fight plan

Ben Whittaker’s next few months are already taking shape following his quick knockout victory in Liverpool, and Adam Smith outlines a busy summer schedule that should finally see the delicate heavyweight fighter face stronger tests

Smith said Whittaker is expected to return to the United States in overdue June on the Jaron “Boots” Ennis card, then return to the UK in the summer for a major date in his hometown of Birmingham.


Whittaker stopped Brian Suarez in two rounds last weekend and performed brilliantly throughout, adding another early finish to the stretch that helped rebuild attention around him after his first fight with Liam Cameron ended in a draw.

Smith said the June outing would support expose Whittaker to a wider audience ahead of a bigger national night later in the year.

“He will fight at the end of June in America at the Boots Ennis gala. That’s good. Show him to a global audience. Then he will come back here in overdue summer, maybe early September and fight in Birmingham in a huge fight,” Adam Smith said in an interview with Sport Boxing.

Smith also named British opponents who could be next, naming Lyndon Arthur, Brad Rea and Craig Richards as possible options once Whittaker returns home.

Smith believes that in the long term, bigger domestic fights with Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yard should come within the next year if Whittaker continues to win.

“Buatsis and Yards need to be delivered within the next 6-12 months.”

Whittaker has had a lot of notoriety since turning pro, but the activity and matchmaking are looking more grave now. The next two fights should tell more than the first ten.

Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter

Related boxing news:

Categories Latest

Last updated: 24/04/2026 at 17:38

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending