Is Conor Benn’s split from Eddie Hearn a generation-defining boxing ‘betrayal’?

Comment: Benn’s shocking Matchroom exit, as he joins rival promotion Zuffa Boxing, is one of the sport’s biggest stories in recent memory SportBoxingIs Conor Benn’s split from Eddie Hearn a generation-defining boxing ‘betrayal’?Comment: Benn’s shocking Matchroom exit, as he joins rival promotion Zuffa Boxing, is one of the sport’s biggest stories in recent memoryAlex Pattle Combat Sports Editor Saturday 21 February 2026 15:25 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverConor Benn says Chris Eubank Jr win 'on par with world title'Your support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreThe tone in Eddie Hearn’s voice and the pacing of his speech betrayed him. But perhaps not as badly as Conor Benn.“I blame myself,” Hearn told iFL TV on Friday, after the barely-believable news that Benn was leaving the promoter’s company Matchroom, to join rival promoter Dana White at Zuffa Boxing. “I was like... I just felt that the loyalty that we’ve shown would never, ever put us in this position. I made a mistake, because I misjudged the character.”You could hear the deflation and regret in every word from the Matchroom chairman. Hearn, 46, said he “loaned” Benn “hundreds of thousands of pounds” when the welterweight “was done” – professionally and mentally done – during a drug-test saga that dragged on painfully for three years.After Benn failed two drug tests in 2022, Matchroom stuck by him. Hearn stood by him. They had been there since the start of his professional career, in fact, dating back to 2016.RecommendedConor Benn in shock split from Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom as he joins rival promoter Dana WhiteEddie Hearn reacts to Conor Benn’s defection from Matchroom: ‘I misjudged the character’Ryan Garcia’s chaotic career might just lead him to Conor Benn – the perfect boxing partner“I’m not gonna hang him out to dry,” Hearn continued on Friday, “and he will say: ‘Well, it was a big offer.’ But when I received the email from his lawyer, I texted him and said: ‘I think we should have a call. I think, for everything I’ve done for you, I think I deserve a call.’ And he said ‘no’, and I was like: ‘Man... f***... I can’t believe it.’”He’s not the only one. The announcement came via Zuffa Boxing’s official X account, which carries a blue tick – not a gold one – so there was some reason to question its legitimacy. Even after that, the images of Benn and White together just looked... wrong, somehow, as if they could be AI. Of course this was not the case, but it’s a testament to how surreal the moment was. With that in mind, The Independent approached Benn and his manager, Keith Connolly, for comment, as well as sending other relevant parties the “is this real??” text.In any case, this episode will have been more surreal for Hearn than anyone else. open image in galleryConor Benn (right) with his now-former promoter Eddie Hearn (Getty Images)When Benn was finally permitted to box on home soil again, taking on blood rival Chris Eubank Jr twice in 2025, he made millions of pounds. He was given the chance to fight in front of tens of thousands of fans. In avenging an April loss to Eubank Jr three months ago, he exorcised his demons.But the boxing world is full of demons and devils. Hearn must now wonder: how long was one hovering above Benn’s other shoulder?None of the above is to say Hearn is an angel. Indeed, the promoter took a lashing for defending Benn so passionately for so long. “I really lost a lot of my soul during that two-year period,” Hearn said on Friday. But even those minded to criticise Hearn might feel a pang of sympathy for him.Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of BoxingNever miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.Buy NowADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of BoxingNever miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.Buy NowADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.No, really, because Friday’s shocking news – this stunning