UK Boxing
Chris Eubank Jr makes his feelings clear as Conor Benn leaves Eddie Hearn to join Dana White
Chris Eubank Jr ruthlessly attacked Eddie Hearn after a sensational substitution from Conor Benn. (Photo: Getty)
Chris Eubank Jr mercilessly mocked Eddie Hearn following Conor Benn’s stunning move to Zuffa Boxing after confirming the 29-year-old’s controversial move to join UFC boss Dana White. Benn triumphed over Eubank in their high-profile rematch, gaining the advantage over his longtime adversary and extending his record to 24 wins, with his only defeat coming in April 2025.
The 29-year-old has reportedly signed a lucrative one-fight contract with competitor Matchroom Boxing, a promoter that initially signed the Orthodox fighter after turning professional. This decision came just a few days after a heated exchange between White and Hearn, which ended with keen comments from both promoters. White is a newcomer to the boxing scene, having made a courageous retirement from ruling the world of mixed martial arts during his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Benn’s favorable decision deals a significant blow to Hearn and Matchroom with one of their star players leaving the promotion. This sparked several reactions from Eubank, who had verbally sparred with the promoter during previous press conferences.
Eubank said on social media: “Edddieeeee how are you feeling mate? @EddieHearn.” In his statement, Benn confirmed that he is focusing on conventional fights after reporting an eight-figure fee.
He stated: “First of all I want to thank Eddie and the entire Matchroom team for everything they have done for me over the last decade. From coaching me when I first turned professional to headlining stadiums.
“They were with me not only in the most essential moments, but also shoulder to shoulder in hard times. It was a journey we could not have imagined, and for their faith, support and guidance I will always be truly grateful, but Zuffa Boxing gave me an opportunity that I simply could not refuse.”
Conor Benn has made a shock move, leaving Eddie Hearn and joining up-to-date rival Zuffa Boxing (Photo: Getty)
“I would love for Eddie to continue to be a part of my team and for our partnership to evolve in this up-to-date chapter. I am filled with excitement and hunger for what lies ahead for Zuffa Boxing.
“I want legacy 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’m in great shape and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”
Benn secured his place on the international stage and among the players fighting for the championship after defeating Eubank Jr in the return leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November. The 29-year-old overcame a loss from seven months ago to put his stamp on a long-running rivalry that stretches back decades to when their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank, faced each other in two iconic British superfights.
In a speech after the announcement, a visibly dejected Hearn took responsibility for Benn’s departure to a competitor, keen to make a significant impact on the sport. Hearn said: “I’m not going to sit here and hang Conor Benn out to dehydrated. I’ll be straightforward with you, I’m personally very devastated.
“I had a few days to digest what might happen. Maybe this interview will be different than a few days ago. It’s not often that you get shocked, I blame myself because I forgot it was boxing.
“I just felt like the loyalty we showed would never have put us in that position. I felt like I’ve never had to get Conor Benn to sign a up-to-date contract before, and I probably could have. I blame myself, I made a mistake. I misjudged the character.”
On Saturday in Sheffield, Josh Padley will defend his European super featherweight title against Aqib Fiaz for the first time.
Eddie HearnMatchroom is promoting the Padley vs Fiaz fight from Utilita Arena live on DAZN worldwide.
The pair were scheduled to fight on the undercard, but were later advanced to the main event Dalton Smith’s WBC super lightweight title defense against Albert Puello and then Galal Yafai’s clash with unified flyweight world champion Ricardo Sandoval was shelved due to injury.
Padley (18-1, 6 KO) won the vacant belt after a second-round stoppage of Jaouad Belmehdi in Newcastle in January.
The 30-year-old has won three times since a ninth-round defeat to Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title on four days’ notice.
Fiaz (14-1, 2 KO) is looking to break the script here and has won two in a row since an eight-round retirement loss to mutual opponent Reece Bellotti in 2023, whom Padley defeated by unanimous decision in October.
The 26-year-old last didn’t play 11 months ago, securing a unanimous decision victory over Alex Murphy.
Nadim-Sulaimaan will fight for the title of English champion
Ibrahim Nadim defends his English super featherweight crown for the first time against Ibraheem Sulaimaan.
Nadim (16-1, 2 KO) secured the vacant belt with a unanimous decision victory over Numan Hussain in November, and Sulaimaan (10-0, 5 KO) became the Midlands Area champion with a sixth-round victory over Nico Ogbeide also in November.
Undercard remaining
Middleweight Aaron Bowen (7-1, 5 KO) suffered his first professional loss to Tom Cowling in November, but can get back to winning ways with a stoppage victory over Troy Coleman (15-4-1, 7 KO).
Heavyweight prospect Leo Atang (6-0, 5 KO) can remain excellent by defeating Frenchman Fouad Shaili (5-4-2, 3 KO).
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Connor Mitchell (2-0, 1 KO) can improve his undefeated record by scoring points over Jesus Carrasco (2-4-2) at featherweight, while Chris Mulanda (2-0) can do the same against Connor Goulding (6-12) in their middleweight bout.
Adam Maca (5-0, 5 KO) and Edward Hardy (6-0, 2 KO) will return to the pitch against an as yet unspecified opponent.
The post Josh Padley vs Aqib Fiaz – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Anthony Joshua won’t be leaving boxing any time soon.
Joshua returns to the ring on July 25 in Saudi Arabia against Kristian Prengi, ahead of a thrilling clash with long-time rival Tyson Fury in November.
The two-time world heavyweight champion was expected to potentially end his career after his long-awaited clash with Fury, but the 36-year-old insists he can continue for another four years, even opening the door to a potential clash with the rising 21-year-old heavyweight champion, Moses This is going to hurt.
“For me, maybe until I’m 40,” Joshua told reporters.
“It’s only been about three or four years.
“I’ll be 37 in October, so it’s only three years, it’ll go by quickly.
“Of course it will be challenging, but I definitely think I’m tough enough to do it.
“Why not, why not? I’m definitely more mature.”
“AJ” will fight for the first time since the sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul in Miami in December.
The Watford player took a break from the sport after he was involved in a devastating road accident in Nigeria 10 days later that killed two of his close friends, Latif “Latz” Ayodele and Sina Ghami.
Joshua, who met Prenga face-to-face earlier this week, said he strongly supports parents Ayodele and Ghami.
“You’ll never get over it, but you’ll gain perspective in life,” he said BBC Sport.
“Life sometimes teaches you humility. You never know your fate.
“As a soldier, I stand powerful in defense of their parents.
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“First of all, it’s not about me.
“I think it’s crucial to put parents first at this time.
“I will have time to grieve, but I know that right now my heart and mind say that their parents are my main priority.”
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Joshua’s fight against Prenga will take place at the Jeddah Superdome.
Fury, who retired in April to defeat Arslanbek Makhmudov, is scheduled to have another warm-up fight on August 1.
The post Anthony Joshua REVEALS when he will retire from boxing appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Chris Billam-Smith returns to his hometown of Bournemouth to headline the inaugural Zuffa Boxing UK event against Ryan Rozicki on Saturday.
Billam-Smith is taking on Rozicki at the Bournemouth International Center and the bill is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and Paramount+ in the US.
“The Gentleman” is fighting in Bournemouth for the first time since he forced Mateusz Masternak to retire in the eighth round during the first defense of his WBO cruiserweight title.
After taking revenge on Richard Riakporhe in a rematch, the 35-year-old dropped the heavyweight belt lost by unanimous decision to Zurdo Ramirez in reunification in 2024
Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KO) returned to winning ways after a points victory over Brandon Glanton in his last appearance in April last year.
Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KO) has lost only once in his 23 professional fights, overtaken by Oscar Rivas in the fight for the WBC bridgeweight crown in 2021.
“The Bruiser” previously fought for the WBC interim cruiserweight title and drew against Yamil Alberto Peralta.
The 31-year-old Canadian returned to winning ways after knocking out Gerardo Mellado in the second round in March and will enter Saturday’s fight as the number one contender in the WBC rankings.
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Massey meets Clarke
Jack Massey meets Cheavon Clarke at the cruiserweight crossroads.
Massey (23-3, 13 KO) was knocked out by Opetaia in his fight for the 2024 IBF cruiserweight crown, but got back into the win column in November with a fourth-round stoppage of Ivan Gabriel Garcia.
Clarke (11-2, 8 KO), a 2020 Olympian, saw his progress ponderous after consecutive losses to Leonardo Mosquea and Viddal Riley.
After returning to play in December, the 35-year-old knocked out Anthony Holloway in the fourth round.
Undercard remaining
Lee Cutler (15-2, 7 KO) from Bournemouth moves to middleweight and can return to winning ways thanks to a points victory over Aaron Sutton (19-2, 3 KO).
Heavyweight Ivan Dychko (15-1, 14 KO) was defeated by Jermaine Franklin in September, but should bounce back by handing Harvey Dykes (7-0-1) his first loss after the break.
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Stephen McKenna (15-1, 14 KO) hasn’t fought since his loss to Cutler in 2024, but he should return after his victory over Casey James Streeter (15-3-2, 6 KO) in the middleweight division.
In the third middleweight fight, Sam Hickey (4-0, 1 KO) can break the undefeated record of Todd Tompkins (4-0) by scoring points.
Airy heavyweight Leon Hughes (4-0, 3 KO) and welterweight Alex Macmillan (3-0, 2 KO) should secure victories in their respective fights via stoppage.
The post Chris Billam-Smith vs. Ryan Rozicki – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
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