Emotional Eddie Hearn mocked by Chris Eubank Jr as rival reacts to Conor Benn joining Zuffa Boxing

Eddie Hearn has expressed his devastation that Conor Benn has elected to depart Matchroom Boxing – leaving Chris Eubank Jr euphoric.

Benn announced he had joined Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing on Friday in a shock move that blindsided promoter Hearn.

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Each of Benn‘s 25 fights as a professional so far in his career since his debut in 2016 have come under the Matchroom banner, with the promotion sticking with the 29-year-old through his legal battles.

Hearn was one of Benn’s staunchest defenders after the latter tested positive for clomiphene in the lead up to his fight with Eubank Jr in 2022, which was scrapped as a result.

The Destroyer was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing by the National Anti-Doping Panel in November 2024 – allowing Benn and Eubank Jr to get it on twice last year.

But Benn’s next fight will come under the Zuffa banner, with reports stating it will be a lucrative one-bout deal.

Hearn, though, has been quick to comment on his disappointment that his working relationship with the 24-1 star is over.

Ed in his hands

In an emotional interview with iFL TV, he said: “Me, personally, pretty devastated. I have had a few days to digest what might happen. It is not often you get shocked. 

“I blame myself. I forgot it was boxing. I just felt the loyalty that we have shown would never ever put us in this position.”

Hearn continued: “It feels a little bit of a wasted few years. I gave a lot… I believed him and I backed him and I never gave in when he was done, out.

“Loaned him hundreds of thousands of pounds, but yeah on we go.”

He continued: “I just think the way it was done was very very wrong, but everyone is different, [to] some people, loyalty really matters, other people maybe not so. 

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“The way it played out to receive an email from the lawyer and then to ask for a call and not the willingness to have it, you just lose a bit of your soul to it.”

News of Benn’s Matchroom departure has led to Eubank Jr mocking Hearn, who he feuded with in the build-up to his rematch with Benn in November.

Taking to X, a gleeful Eubank Jr posted three laughing emojis, accompanied with the words ‘Edddieeee how you feeling buddy?’

He followed that up by posting: “So Eddie Hearn’s #1 fighter has now left him.

“Eddie stuck by Conor Benn through thick & thin, getting him off of drug charges & giving him money to live when he had nothing.

“I guess this really shows just how much of a scumbag Hearn actually is… he saves his fighters life & career & Conor still doesn’t want to be involved with him.

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“Or is Benn the scumbag for dumping the man that built him? This really is a conundrum. Scumbag on scumbag violence at its finest… don’t say I didn’t tell you guys.”

And in a third post, reacting to Hearn’s comments on him loaning Benn money, Eubank Jr remarked: “Wow, Eddie Hearn you saved this man’s life & his career & he still wouldn’t even give you a phone call!?

“I knew you were a piece of s***, but Conor must of seen you do some really bad things to not even allow you one call.

“And Conor Benn, for whatever reason you stabbed this idiot in the back (he’s an idiot for thinking he could trust you) just know what goes around always comes back around… you will get yours too.”

Benn now joins IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia on Zuffa Boxing’s roster.

He is expected to be ringside for Ryan Garcia’s clash with Mario Barrios in Las Vegas this weekend, where he could fight the former in his next contest later this year.