Nelson: Benn split will 'really hurt' Hearn but it’s business
#Conor Benn#Eddie Hearn#Zuffa Boxing#Johnny Nelson#Mayweather vs Pacquiao#Boxing Promotions#Matchroom Boxing#$15 million offer
📌 Key Takeaways
Conor Benn has left Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing for Dana White's Zuffa Boxing
Johnny Nelson believes this move will 'really hurt' Hearn but is a necessary business decision
Benn was reportedly offered $15 million for his next fight with Zuffa
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are set to rematch in September 2026 in Las Vegas
📖 Full Retelling
Sky Sports expert Johnny Nelson revealed on Wednesday 25 February 2026 that Conor Benn's decision to leave Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing for Dana White's Zuffa Boxing will have 'really hurt' the promoter, though he acknowledged it as a necessary business move for the 29-year-old boxer seeking 'legacy fights' and 'the biggest stages' in his career. Benn had been promoted by Hearn's organization since turning professional, but after a 10-year partnership that saw its biggest success in November when Benn defeated Chris Eubank Jr in a rematch, he chose to pursue opportunities with the UFC boss's promotional company. Nelson, analyzing the split on Sky Sports News, emphasized that 'it's show business' and suggested that Hearn had considered Benn and Anthony Joshua as having more personal relationships with him than other fighters. 'He will be really hurt because he thought they were friends,' Nelson stated, while defending Benn's decision as a prudent business move. The expert highlighted how many fighters who were household names ended up without financial security due to poor career decisions, suggesting Benn is taking control of his future. Nelson revealed that Benn was reportedly offered $15 million for his next fight with Zuffa, a significant financial incentive that would be difficult to turn down. The boxing world also recently received news of another high-profile matchup as Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao announced they have agreed to a professional rematch in September 2026 in Las Vegas, over 11 years after their 2015 'Fight of the Century.' Nelson expressed skepticism about the bout, noting that both fighters were already past their best when they first met, but acknowledged the enduring public interest. 'The attention, the noise that came around it, it's still the highest grossing fight in boxing,' Nelson commented, suggesting that the rematch is driven by boxing's addictive nature. 'These fighters think they've still got this, and unfortunately, he may end up being one of the fighters where the fight quits him rather than quitting the fight,' he warned about Mayweather's motivation.
🏷️ Themes
Boxing Business, Promoter-Fighter Relationships, Legacy and Comebacks
Conor Nigel Benn (born 28 September 1996) is a British professional boxer. He is the son of former two-division world champion boxer Nigel Benn.
Benn's first meeting against Chris Eubank Jr was named Fight of the Year by The Ring magazine, Boxing Writers Association of America, ESPN, BoxingScene, an...
Edward John Hearn (born 8 June 1979) is a British sports promoter and the chairman of Matchroom Sport and the Professional Darts Corporation. Hearn has promoted many boxers through Matchroom, including world champions such as Anthony Joshua, Canelo Álvarez, Gennady Golovkin, Katie Taylor and Vasyl L...
Ivanson Ranny "Johnny" Nelson (born 4 January 1967) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1986 to 2005. He held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) cruiserweight title from 1999 to 2006, and remains the longest reigning cruiserweight world champion of all time. Nelson defended th...
Zuffa Boxing is a professional boxing promotion company founded by CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Dana White, and Chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Turki Al-Sheikh. The company is a joint venture between Sela and TKO Group Holdings (TKO), and is b...
No entity connections available yet for this article.
Original Source
Opinion Conor Benn decision to join Dana White and Zuffa Boxing will 'really hurt' Eddie Hearn, says Jonny Nelson Conor Benn has signed to Dana White and Zuffa Boxing, saying he wants "legacy fights" and "the biggest stages"; watch Caroline Dubois vsTerri Harper and Ellie Scotney’s undisputed title fight on April 5, live on Sky Sports Johnny Nelson Boxing Expert & Columnist Wednesday 25 February 2026 06:03, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Conor Benn says signing a promotional deal with Zuffa will unlock his American dreams and he plans to face Ryan Garcia next and take his world title Conor Benn’s decision to join Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing will have "really hurt" promoter Eddie Hearn but it’s a "business move", says Sky Sports expert Johnny Nelson. The 29-year-old had been promoted by Hearn's Matchroom Boxing organisation since turning professional, but after a 10-year spell, Benn left to sign with UFC boss White's promotional company . Benn and Hearn's partnership had enjoyed its biggest success in November as 'The Destroyer' defeated Chris Eubank Jr in a rematch to continue his resurgence after being cleared by UK Anti-Doping to resume his career following failed drug tests in 2022. Why is Mayweather fighting Pacquiao again? Who is favourite? And is it a one-off? Fury to train himself for comeback: 'I might retire again after this!' Buy tickets for Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW Reacting to the Benn-Hearn split, Nelson told Sky Sports News : "It's show business. "I thought Conor and AJ [Anthony Joshua] were the ones that Eddie had a more personal relationship, more than his fighters. "He will be really hurt because he thought they were friends. And Conor has done what most fighters should do, which is take care of themselves. "I know a lot of fighters that were household names, that haven't got two pennies because of decisions they made in their career, because of ti...
