Boxing
Dan Rafael says Conor Benn will earn $15 million for his Zuffa Fight contract
Published
5 months agoon
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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.
Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers trustworthy coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.
Last update: 21/02/2026
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Boxing
Trainer Robert Garcias Bold KO Prediction for Spence vs Tszyu: I Hope Im Wrong
Published
2 hours agoon
July 25, 2026
Top trainer Robert Garcia does not rule out an emphatic finish as Errol Spence Jr returns from a three-year absence to face Tim Tszyu.
The two former world champions will collide at Sydney’s Afterpay Arena, Australia, this weekend, with Spence’s request of an additional 2lbs having been granted.
Tszyu, meanwhile, had originally pushed for a catchweight of 156lbs but, after agreeing to 158lbs, he must now jump even further up to middleweight.
While making concessions this time around, the 31-year-old typically prefers to fight at 154lbs, where he claimed the WBO title by unanimously outpointing Brian Mendoza in 2023.
Since then, Tszyu has suffered defeats to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev, who scored destructive stoppages over the Australian in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
In terms of one-sided beatdowns, though, there are very few that can be mentioned in the same breath as Terence Crawford’s nine-round masterclass against Spence.
With this being Spence’s last outing, there is very little recent evidence to suggest the 36-year-old can rediscover any semblance of his past form.
When considering the American’s 2019 car crash, too, coach Garcia leaves himself with no choice but to back Tszyu in his interview with ESPN.
“I think with Spence coming back from a really bad knockout [defeat] to Crawford and the car accident, I favour Tszyu. He’s just active and maybe a little bit healthier.
“[So] I think Tszyu wins, and it could even be a stoppage. At this point, Spence might not have anything left. I hope I’m wrong, because I like him. He’s a great person.”
Garcia also suggested that Tszyu should aim to take Spence into the later rounds, where ‘The Truth’ may struggle to evade any attacks with his feet.
Boxing
Gervonta Davis Weighs In: Who He Supports in Spence vs Tszyu Showdown
Published
3 hours agoon
July 25, 2026
Gervonta Davis has weighed in on the 160lb clash between Errol Spence Jr and Tim Tszyu this weekend.
The two former world champions will square off at Sydney’s Afterpay Arena, Australia, where it was originally agreed that they would collide at a catchweight of 158lbs.
In a late turn of events, Spence requested an additional 2lbs – which was subsequently granted – as he returns to action for the first time in three years.
Yet despite his last outing resulting in a ninth-round stoppage defeat to Terence Crawfordthe 36-year-old has been made a slight favourite against Tszyu.
This is also Spence’s first meaningful assignment above 147lbs, where he remained unbeaten before losing his WBC, IBF and WBA titles to Crawford.
Tszyu, meanwhile, has lost three of his last six fights after encountering the ferocious fists of Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev, who scored stoppages over the Australian in 2024 and 2025, respectively
But while he hopes to return to world level at 154lbs, the 31-year-old first looks to claim his most significant victory since outpointing Brian Mendoza in 2023.
One man pledging his support for Spence, however, is former world champion ‘Tank’ Davis, who shared his thoughts via social media on Wednesday.
“Bring it home EJ!”
Gervonta Davis showing love to Errol Spence on social media ahead of his return against Tim Tszyu 👏#SpenceTszyu | July 25 | Live on DAZN and DAZN on Prime 📺 pic.twitter.com/ibOHC4YQjk
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 22, 2026
Despite his three years of inactivity, many suspect that Spence is far superior from a technical perspective.
Tszyu, on the other hand, could take advantage of the American’s lack of momentum by setting a hellacious pace, perhaps exposing any signs of deterioration with his relentless pressure and consistent attacks.
Boxing
Dominique Francis Claims Hes Nearing World Title Contention in Zuffas Competitive Landscape
Published
2 days agoon
July 23, 2026
Unbeaten Dominique Francis believes he is closer to boxing’s elite than many realize as the 16-0 super featherweight contender prepares for his return under the Zuffa Boxing banner.
Francis has stopped 10 opponents during his professional career and will return on July 26 against Hector Andres Sosa at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York on Paramount+.
The Miami native has been out of action since his fourth-round knockout of Julio Carrera Lugo in October 2024, but Francis insists the time away from the ring has not changed his belief or his approach.
Speaking exclusively to World Boxing News on the eve of the fight, Francis explained why he does not fear inactivity, why he believes Zuffa has changed opportunities for fighters, and why he feels the world champions are closer than many expect.
Francis Refuses To Blame The Layoff
Francis does not believe a layoff of that nature automatically affects a fighter’s ability if the work continues behind the scenes.
“It ain’t change my mindset. You seen Floyd Mayweather fight Juan Manuel Márquezhe took 21 months off of boxing,” Francis told WBN.
“At the same time, with me, you know what I’m saying, he was as sharp as he, like sharpest he ever was. I don’t believe in all that. If you working and you inside the gym, you alright.”
Zuffa Gives Fighters More Opportunities
Francis believes joining Zuffa provides a valuable platform for fighters, but he knows his own preparation remains his responsibility.
“It’s very important, but you know, they going they going to handle that. It’s just me to do my job: stay in the gym, stay in shape, stay healthy, you know what I mean, so whenever I get a call, we can make it happen.”
The 16-0 contender is also excited about competing on Paramount+ and believes the boxing landscape is changing.
“Oh man, very I’m very thankful for this opportunity, man. The landscape changed a lot, man, ’cause you know, now you have more fighters that have opportunity now.
“They have places to go, you know what I mean? So the landscape changed a lot, they have places to go, and that’s a great thing for us fighters, man.”
Francis was pleased with his last performance against Lugo but is not looking back as he prepares for the next stage of his career.
“My last performance was good. It was a it was a good performance, but that don’t matter no more, you know what I mean? ‘Cause now it’s about this performance.”

“I’m Closer Than I Even Think”
Francis has clear ambitions for the next 12 months and believes continued improvement will put him in position for bigger opportunities.
“I want to be prosperity, to keep learning, and I want growth, definitely growth, as long as you keep going. So keep prospering and keep learning and keep growing. For sure, for sure.”
When asked about his distance from the world champions, Francis made it clear that he believes he belongs closer to the top than many might expect.
“I’m closer than I even think, and I know that. ‘Cause I be seeing a lot of things that I’ll see on TV with the top guys, whatever like that, but they’re just normal guys, man.
“They just normal guys that put in the hard work. And one thing about me, I’m a guy that put in the hard work, and I have the talent, skills, and ability.”
No Distractions Ahead Of Return
Francis believes his latest training camp has given him the ideal foundation before his return.
“This training camp was beautiful, coaching, um trajectory was very well, no distractions. No distractions at all, great recovery and understanding.”
The 25-year-old now gets the chance to prove his confidence inside the ring, with the unbeaten contender believing the next stage of his career can bring him closer to the biggest names in boxing.
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