The Matchroom promoter believes this approach prevents reporters from pressing White on more complex topics related to the business side of combat sports.

“I listen to these guys asking questions and no one is pushing him,” Hearn said. “Nobody’s really asking any solemn questions. Nobody’s really asking any of the right questions. It’s a huge machine that you can’t get close to and ask real questions.”

Hearn suggested that reporters covering White should challenge him on issues such as fighter compensation and revenue sharing in the UFC.

“When I’m in the middle of a media row, I ask the question: if Tom Aspinall is generating more money into the pot than Conor Benn, why is he making 10 times less money?” Hearn said. “Can you answer that?”

The comparison between Aspinall and Benn highlights one of the arguments Hearn has repeatedly made when discussing the financial differences between boxing and mixed martial arts. In boxing, fighters typically negotiate individual amounts for events, television rights and commercial deals. The UFC, on the other hand, operates on the basis of long-term promotional contracts that determine the remuneration of fighters.

Hearn’s comments come amid growing friction between the British promoter and White following the launch of Zuffa Boxing. The first major events under the modern venture, backed by TKO Group Holdings and Saudi investment, are expected to take place later this year as White moves beyond MMA.

White has already publicly fired Hearn, describing him as just another manager entering the MMA space. Meanwhile, Hearn questioned the initial direction of the project and the quality of the events produced so far.

The exchange quickly turned into one of the more high-profile rivalries surrounding efforts to build a modern boxing league.

Hearn’s criticism of interview restrictions also touches on a broader issue in combat sports media: how much reporters can challenge promoters and management when access to fighters and events often depends on maintaining professional relationships. These questions need to continue to be asked, according to Hearn.

Mike Tyson has shared his verdict on who he ranks higher between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather and Pacquiao are considered two of the greatest boxing legends in recent history, and their success led to a battle between them at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in May 2015.

It was Mayweather who won by unanimous decision, but now, more than a decade later, they will meet again for a second time while fighting at The Sphere in Las Vegas on September 19.

Mayweather is now 49 and Pacquiao is 47, both men are well past their prime, and there is often debate among boxing fans as to which man was better than the other during the best years of their careers.

Mayweather retired with a perfect 50-0 record, defeating the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Canelo Alvarez, while Pacquiao is the only eight-division boxing world champion in history to boast victories over the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto.

Heavyweight icon Tyson once expressed his own opinion on who was the better of the two, ace revealed that he thinks Pacquiao has achieved more.

“Pacquiao is better than Floyd. He overcame adversity. He got knocked out, came back and had some sensational fights against opponents that outperformed any opponent Floyd had fought.”

Before Mayweather faces Pacquiao in a rematch, he is actually scheduled to face Tyson himself, and an event between the pair will take place soon, although it appears it will not take place on the originally announced April 25 date.

Undisputed lithe heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol could pursue a rematch with Canelo Alvarez or a fight with David Benavidez once he finishes his current duties in the division.

Bivol’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, outlined the champion’s preferred path in comments provided by Dan Rafael, explaining that Bivol intends to first pursue a mandatory IBF defense and then return to competing with Artur Beterbiev.

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Last update: 2026/03/10 at 16:34