Conor Benn has revealed that Matchroom not covering his dad’s business class flights led him to consider his eventual defection to Zuffa Boxing.
British boxer Benn made the decision to ditch Eddie Hearn in favour of UFC president Dana White’s new boxing venture in February, joining Zuffa for a one-fight deal worth a reported $15m.
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The 29-year-old’s Matchroom departure was particularly shocking given he had spent his entire professional career with Hearn’s company, which even stood by the 29-year-old from 2022 until 2025, during a saga in which he failed two drug tests and could not box on home soil.
But “The Destroyer” has responded to criticism by emphasising the need to make as much money as he can before he leaves the limelight for his family’s sake, with Zuffa offering him the most lucrative proposal.
Conor Benn announced a shock split from promotor Eddie Hearn in February (Action Images via Reuters)
“Ultimately, if you ask me to choose out of my family and what sets my family up, my family’s legacy, my kids are my legacy. When they don’t want to cover my dad’s business class flights over, you’re reminded that you have a time span,” he told talkSPORT.
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‘When you’re done, nobody cares. When I’m done, nobody’s going to care. Nobody, and there’ll be a new one of me.
“Make hay while the sun’s shining. Take the best deal for me that feels right for me and my family, and it was the best deal by a country mile. So for me, I’m excited to be boxing under the Zuffa banner and really lead the way.”
Benn said that he still wants Hearn in his corner but does not agree with the sentiment that he owed Matchroom any more than he gave the promotion, with Hearn claiming he didn’t even get a phone call from Benn before hearing of his switch.
Benn does not feel like he owes Matchroom anything (Getty Images for Thomas J. Henry)
He added: “I don’t feel like I owe anybody anything. I owe my family. I owe my son a good life. I owe my son a blessed life. I owe my opening doors for my son that no one else can open. It’s my responsibility. That is my responsibility. He is my legacy. Not just my son, my daughter and potentially more kids on the way. That is my legacy.
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“Everything else is just noise, and I really use my dad’s career as a sort of benchmark. Because who checks for my dad now? Who pays for my dad’s bills now? Who would have paid for my dad’s bills when I was in school? Or put me through private school? Nobody.
“So yes, I’m a hot topic right now. I’m not always going to be, because when I’m settling down, I’m settling off into the sunset and you won’t ever see me ever again. Which ain’t far away.”
Benn’s return to boxing came against Chris Eubank Jr last April, as Benn was beaten for the first time as a professional. The natural welterweight in fact took on Eubank Jr twice at middleweight, winning their rematch in November, with both fights going the distance.
He is now preparing to fight former world champion Regis Prograis, who has lost two of his last three bouts, in the co-main event of Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 11 April.
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Benn is currently only contracted to one fight under White, for which he will earn an eye-watering purse, but says he will explore next steps after sharing the ring with Prograis.
“The Zuffa one fight deal is this next fight and then we’ll see what doors open,” he said. “But ultimately, I’m in a very strong position, provided I get the win 11 April. And we’ll see what doors open.”
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