UFC star tells Eddie Hearn he ‘f***** up’ in key Dana White choice after Conor Benn swoop
Conor Benn left Matchroom Boxing to join Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing last week and Eddie Hearn has publicly admitted he is ready to battle Dana White in the boxing scene
Eddie Hearn saw Conor Benn leave for Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing(Image: Getty Images)
UFC icon Chael Sonnen has claimed that Eddie Hearn has picked a fight with the wrong man in Dana White, following Conor Benn’s contentious switch to Zuffa Boxing.
The 29-year-old made headlines after signing a reportedly lucrative one-fight deal with the new promotion, ending his career-long affiliation with Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. The move comes just months after Benn sought revenge on rival Chris Eubank Jr in their rematch, paving the way for a blockbuster fight path.
However, his next bout will be under the banner of Zuffa, led by White – the head of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) – and Chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh. Hearn voiced his dismay at the shocking departure of one of his top-rated fighters. This came days after the Mixed Martial Arts boss took a series of unexpected jabs at the Brit.
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The 46-year-old retaliated against his counterpart, but Sonnen, who worked under White during his UFC career, issued a warning to Hearn. He stated: “So Eddie comes out and he does the one thing that you can’t do, Eddie Hearn f***** up.
“The one interesting thing about Dana, nobody wants a fight more. Dana White was so excited when Oscar De la Hoya turned out to bat, it just turned out to be easier work. Eddie Hearn has a fighter named, Benn, Zuffa Boxing makes an offer, Benn goes over, Dana kinda commented on how easy it was to get a top guy, he was expecting a bit of a battle, Dana has been in battle for top guys.
“Whether that goes Dana’s way or not, he enjoys the battle. He makes this play for Benn and next thing he knows, he’s got signed paper work from Benn. I’m telling you right now, I’ve been over there for 19 years, Dana wanted some resistance and he was a little disappointed and says he’s fighting with babies.
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“There’s a degree where you have to understand Dana, he wants a fight. Eddie comes out and does the one thing that you can’t do, the one thing, he says that Dana has a boss, calls him his daddy, Dana answers to his daddy.
“It’s a big mistake, it truly is a big mistake. The boss doesn’t have a boss and he doesn’t like when you say that he does, it’s a big mistake by Eddie.
“I appreciate Eddie is fighting back and I think Eddie is a formidable opponent, he needs to be careful where he picks his battle. Eddie has a way to speak to the camera, captivating, he comes out and says it was devastating Benn left.
“The business of boxing is the most misunderstood business models out there, the economics has confused everyone from the beginning of time. You got this gentleman called Benn with a $15m price-tag because he was able to get a premium because somebody else wanted him and there’s fiduciary responsibilities.
“Eddie Hearn and Dana, this round is complete, this is a point for Dana, but Eddie Hearn attempted to say that the boss has a boss. Eddie just to clear this up, in case you feel it in your heart, Dana White does not have a boss.”
