Conor Benn’s departure from Matchroom was announced with warmth and gratitude. He thanked Eddie Hearn for being by his side during the most tough period of his career and said he would “always be truly grateful” for the support shown over the last decade.

Hours later, Hearn’s response suggested the divide was much deeper than a routine promotional move.

Benn signed with Zuffa Boxing in what was widely described as an eight-figure deal – an opportunity he described as one he “just couldn’t refuse.”

But it was the way the split happened that made the big-money move something much more uncomfortable.

The era of trust

Benn turned professional under Hearn in 2016. For ten years, Matchroom guided his career from prospect to major player. When his career stalled following a botched drug testing controversy that kept him off British soil, Hearn publicly supported him.

He didn’t move away from the problem. He didn’t quietly let the relationship fade away.

“I’ve known about this for a few days now and what’s been going on. I actually received an email from Conor Benn’s lawyer informing me about it,” Hearn told IFL TV.

“I’m not going to sit here and hang Conor Benn out to desiccated. But I have to be forthright with you, I’m personally very devastated.”

Hearn also described financial support during this period.

“I believed him, supported him and never gave up. When he finished, I lent him hundreds of thousands of pounds.”

The deal that never was

Hearn admitted he never put Benn on a long-term deal because he didn’t think there was a need. In boxing, that kind of trust rarely goes untested.

“It’s not often that you get shocked, but I blame myself because I forgot it was boxing,” Hearn said. “I just felt like the loyalty we showed would never, ever put us in this situation.

“I just felt like I never actually had to get Conor Benn to sign a up-to-date contract. I blame myself. I made a mistake because I misjudged the character.”

That last line hit like a shot because it came from a man who defended him when many people didn’t want to.

Revolving Eubank

Benn’s commercial power was rebuilt in two major London events against Chris Eubank Jr. – evenings that restored his image, earning power and market position.

Matchroom put them up. Hearn promoted them. The risk was absorbed, the value was returned, and Benn returned to a leading financial position.

Then came Zuffa.

The phone call that didn’t happen

The most revealing part of Hearn’s relationship wasn’t the money. It was a process.

“When I got the email from his lawyer, I texted him and said I think we should call. I think for everything I’ve done for you, I deserve a call, and he refused,” Hearn said.

Hearn continued: “I just don’t know what to say. Other than that I just felt like everything we gave him, the loyalty we gave him, the support we gave him, there was enough to talk about it or just get close to a certain number, but there wasn’t really any interest.”

If the decision itself was business, it clearly felt personal to Hearn.

“Very surprising, very painful, but it’s just another moment in life to live from and learn from,” Hearn said. “You lose a little bit of your soul. It’s a little numb. There’s a lot I can say.”

He also suggested outside influence, adding: “He doesn’t think he did anything wrong, but that’s who he is as a person. Sometimes you can poison yourself.”

Already in the Zuffa system

It wasn’t presented as a ponderous transition. Benn is already in Las Vegas for the week of Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia and has been training at the UFC Performance Institute.

This move is not theoretical. Benn is already in the Zuffa infrastructure.

The bigger picture

Benn’s statement hailed the move as an opportunity he could not refuse, while also expressing appreciation for his decade at Matchroom.

Hearn’s response put it another way: trust given, support provided, loan of money, then departure through lawyers followed by refusal to speak to the phone.

Boxing has always blurred the line between friendship and business. This division is a reminder that in current boxing, loyalty only lasts as long as the leverage lasts.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN), boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.