Frank Warren Remains Critical of Conor Benn’s Exit Amidst The Eddie Hearn-Dana White Fiasco

Conor Benn’s (24-1, 14 KOs) recent split from long-term promoter Eddie Hearn to sign a deal with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing promotion, without Hearn’s knowledge, has further stoked the flames of the ongoing beef between the two promoters. As tensions continue to rise, promoter Frank Warren is fiercely critical of the abrupt decisions taken and the drama they have led to.

Talking to the Mirror, Warren weighed in on Zuffa Boxing’s financial choices and on their decision to pick a fighter of the likes of Benn.

“I’ll tell you something, the sums of monies that’s being paid. I don’t see what the investment that type of investment is doing. He’s not even the best at his weight in Essex,” he said.

Conor Benn is The Latest Big Name To Sign With Zuffa Boxing

It should be mentioned that Warren is seeking damages of $1 billion from Zuffa’s parent company, TKO, and Saudi Arabia’s state-linked entertainment firm, Sela, over the way Zuffa Boxing was formed. According to Warren, in 2023, he signed exclusive agreements with both Sela and TKO, which were supposed to give him a role and compensation in future Saudi-backed boxing ventures. Agreements which he says weren’t honoured by both companies.

Benn reportedly signed a $15 million deal with White, effectively ending his 10-year association with the Matchroom boss. While critical, Warren hopes that the deal paves the way to better opportunities for Benn.

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“But good luck to him, good luck to him and he’s getting a few quid and it is what it is. For me, I would find definitely better places to spend my money on, or better fighters to spend my money on. I don’t see that investment, but maybe I’m getting older and they know better than I do,” he said.

“I Blame Myself”

Hearn, on the other hand, was shocked by the sudden turn of events. In conversation with iFL TV, he confessed that he thought that loyalty would always triumph.

“I’m not going to sit here and hang Conor Benn out to dry. I’ve got to be honest with you; me, personally pretty devastated. I’ve had a few days to digest what might happen. So, maybe this interview’s different to what it would have been a couple of days ago,” he said.

“It’s not often you get shocked, and I blame myself. I blame myself. Because I just forgot it was boxing, you know? I just felt that the loyalty that we’ve shown would never, ever put us in this position.

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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