UK Boxing
Eddie Hearn blames himself for Conor Benn’s departure
Eddie Hearn claims he “misjudged” Conor Benn’s character after his prized acquisition dramatically left Matchroom to join Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
Hearn has promoted Benn since his professional debut in 2016, but on Friday the 29-year-old made a surprise move announced the deal with Hearn’s fierce rival White.
The Matchroom chairman fiercely defended the welterweight star after two failed doping tests canceled his scheduled October 2022 clash with Chris Eubank Jr.
Benn tested positive twice for the banned substance Clomiphene, but was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
Last year, “The Destroyer” had two extremely lucrative fights with Eubank Jr., taking revenge on the Brighton fighter in November after losing to him for the first time in April.
Hearn blamed himself for not tying the Essex player to a long-term contract.
“Me personally [I’m] pretty devastated,” the 46-year-old said IFLTV.
“I blame myself because I forgot it was boxing.
“I just felt like the loyalty we showed would never, ever put us in this situation.
“I just felt like I never really had to pressure Conor Benn to sign a fresh contract.
“I made a mistake because I misjudged this character.”
According to Chris Mannix, Benn’s contract with Zuffa is reportedly for one fight and is worth eight figures.
The 29-year-old said he would still be willing to work with Hearn despite signing with his biggest competitor.
“First and foremost, I want to thank Eddie and the entire Matchroom team for everything they have done for me over the last decade,” he said in a statement.
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“From coaching me when I first turned pro to performing in stadiums.
“They were with me not only in the most essential moments, but also shoulder to shoulder in tough moments.
“It has been a journey beyond anything we could have imagined. For their belief, support and guidance, I will always be truly grateful, but Zuffa Boxing gave me an opportunity that I simply couldn’t refuse.
“I would love for Eddie to continue to be a part of my team and for our partnership to grow in this fresh chapter.
“I am full of excitement and hunger for what lies ahead for Zuffa Boxing.
“I want the established fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages.
“I’m not afraid of anyone, regardless of weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been asking for.
“I am in excellent shape and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”
Benn has trained with Tony Sims at Matchroom Gym throughout his professional career, but has spent the last few weeks training in Los Angeles.
Sims did not respond to messages left by proboxing-fans.com asking if he would continue to train Benn.
The post Eddie Hearn blames himself for Conor Benn’s departure appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Dillian Whyte is eager to fight Joseph Parker again.
In 2018, Whyte and Parker played 12 invigorating rounds, with both hitting the canvas.
Whyte won his dramatic heavyweight fight by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena.
‘The Body Snatcher’ is now planning a rematch with the Recent Zealander, who is looking to clear his name after testing positive for cocaine following his October defeat to Fabio Wardley.
“There are a lot of good fights and Joseph Parker is one of them,” the 38-year-old said Ring Magazine.
“I would love to fight Joseph Parker, I think it’s a really good fight.
“He has to come back, he has to be cleared or whatever. I don’t know the situation.
“So in the meantime I have to stay busy and fight my way back, so let’s see.
“I feel like I still have a little bit to give, so let’s see what we can do to finish the season on a high.
“I’m training now and I want to come back in May or June.
“Now it’s just a matter of training and seeing what comes out on this kind of date.”
The former world title challenger from Brixton has not fought since a crushing first-round knockout defeat to rising contender Moses Itauma last August in Riyad.
Former world champion Parker won six times on spin before being stopped in the 11th round against Wardley, losing the WBO interim title and a shot at unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The 34-year-old says he is going through this process after failing the test and hopes it will be resolved soon.
“Let’s hope so [I’m back] soon,” Parker said Professional boxing fans.
“I’m just going through the process and practicing patience.
“We just have to be patient and learn from what they say happened.
“I know what happened and I handed over everything, so let’s see.”
The post Dillian Whyte Eyes Joseph Parker Rematch appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Tony Yoka has broken his silence on Lawrence Okolie’s failed test that canceled their scheduled heavyweight fight.
On Saturday in Paris, Yoka was scheduled to face Okolie in a fierce heavyweight fight.
But on Tuesday, the Briton failed a VADA test, reportedly for GHRP 2 and its metabolite M8, a synthetic substance that stimulates the body to release human growth hormone.
Promoter Frank Warren tried to find a slow replacement, but later canceled the entire show.
Yoka (33) admits that he was bitterly disappointed with the situation.
“I was disappointed because I wanted to fight,” said the 33-year-old talkSPORT.
“Of course I was ready.
“It’s not like it happened a few months before, it was three, four days before the fight.
“It was a great opportunity.
“It would have put me in a really good position, so it really worried me.
“What was more disappointing to me was that they just canceled the entire show, but I understand it’s a business.”
The Frenchman says he won’t wait too long and has been told he will either fight on the card Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois May 9 in Manchester or on the bill Dave Allen vs Filip Hrgovic on May 16 in Doncaster.
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Okolie, the WBC’s number one contender for Oleksandr Usyk’s title, promised in a statement to clear his name.
“Before anyone starts imagining the worst, after last year’s bicep injury, I suffered an elbow injury on the same shoulder during this camp.
“I underwent treatment and now we are here.
“I hope common sense will prevail.
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“I will of course cooperate fully with all relevant authorities and I am confident that any investigation will clear my name.
“I will not be making any further comments at this time.
“Thank you for all your support and see you soon.”
The post “I Was Nervous” – Tony Yoka’s Reaction to Lawrence Okolie’s Failed Test appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
David Benavidez is already looking to the future ahead of next week’s showdown with Zurdo Ramirez.
Benavidez challenges Zurdo for his unified WBO and WBA cruiserweight world titles next Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, live on DAZN pay-per-view.
“The Mexican Monster” is moving up from lightweight heavyweight, where he holds the WBC crown, in a bid to become a three-division world champion.
An undisputed 175-pound title fight with Dmitry Bivol has so far eluded the undefeated 29-year-old, but he insists he will return to the weight class after the Ramirez fight in an attempt to lure Bivol to fight him.
“My plan wasn’t just to abandon the lightweight heavyweight division,” Benavidez said Ariel Helwani show.
“My plan was this [to] come up, win two titles, come back and make this fight with me and Bivol even bigger.
“My dream is to become unified champion.
“It would be wise for me to go back downstairs.”
Bivol, the holder of the remaining IBF, WBA and WBO belts, will defend his IBF title against mandatory challenger Michael Eifert on May 30 in Russia.
The 35-year-old won the undisputed crown, among others revenge victory over Artur Beterbiev in his last appearance last February.
The Russian gave up the WBC belt, which Benavidez currently holds, in pursuit of a third meeting with Beterbiev, which ultimately did not take place.
Benavidez, who stopped Anthony Yarde in Riyad in November, is also hoping to fight former undisputed lightweight heavyweight champion Beterbiev, who hasn’t fought since his only professional loss to Bivol.
“After this fight [against Bivol] when I win the titles,” he added.
“I’m going to fight Beterbiev.
“I’m probably most excited about Beterbiev.
“These are two monsters heading on a collision course.
“Beterbiev was a bogeyman for a long, long, long time.
“Being the monster I am, I have to go in there and get rid of the bogeyman.”
The post David Benavidez Eyeing Two Names After Zurdo Ramirez appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
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