Conor Benn has broken his silence on his departure from Matchroom Boxing, issuing a public statement addressing his move to Zuffa Boxing.
Benn thanked promoter Eddie Hearn and the Matchroom team for a decade of support, from his early days as a professional to headlining stadium shows.
“They were not only with me for those highlight moments but stood shoulder to shoulder with me during the tough times,” he wrote.
He hopes Hearn can remain part of his team in some capacity going forward.
On the Zuffa Boxing move, Benn was direct:
“Zuffa Boxing presented me with an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse.”
First and foremost, I want to thank Eddie and the entire team at Matchroom for everything they’ve done for me over the past decade.
From guiding me when I first turned pro, to headlining stadium shows. They were not only with me for those highlight moments but stood shoulder to… pic.twitter.com/u4dD4tsnAe
He expressed ambition about what the partnership will bring, calling for legacy fights and the biggest stages.
“I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”
You can read the full statement here:
“First and foremost, I want to thank Eddie and the entire team at Matchroom for everything they’ve done for me over the past decade. From guiding me when I first turned pro, to headlining stadium shows. They were not only with me for those highlight moments but stood shoulder to shoulder with me during the tough times.
It’s been a journey beyond anything we could have imagined, and for their belief, support, and guidance, I will always be truly grateful, but Zuffa Boxing presented me with an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse. I’d love Eddie to continue to be part of my team and for our partnership to evolve in this new chapter.
I’m filled with excitement and hunger for what’s ahead with Zuffa Boxing. I want the legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages. I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”
Conor Benn has sensationally left long‑time promoter Eddie Hearn and signed with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing in a move that immediately raises the stakes in White’s growing rivalry with traditional boxing power brokers.
The British star had spent his entire professional career under the Matchroom banner, but on Friday it was confirmed he has split from Hearn to ink a new promotional deal with Zuffa.
Benn paid tribute to his now‑former promoter in a statement, thanking Hearn and Matchroom “for everything they have done for me over the past decade” and calling the journey “beyond anything we could have imagined,” before adding that Zuffa Boxing presented an opportunity he “simply couldn’t refuse.”
The 24‑1 contender avenged his only career loss with a victory over Chris Eubank Jr in their November rematch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — Benn had lost their first meeting in April before winning the sequel — and has since been linked with major fights against the likes of Ryan Garcia, Mario Barrios and Shakur Stevenson.
Zuffa Boxing vs. Matchroom
For White and Zuffa Boxing, landing Benn is a huge statement as the new outfit builds out its 2026 schedule and looks to challenge the sport’s established order.
After dropping their initial fight, Conor Benn has scored revenge, outclassing Chris Eubank Jr. in their rematch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Benn’s success began early on, controlling the action with heavy pressure, mixing up sharp jabs and body shots. He seemed to be the quicker, sharper fighter in the early portion of the fight. Eubank made things a little more competitive during rounds four through six, but Benn’s timing on his punches and his footwork helped him to stay dictating the pace.
Benn’s combinations and inside shots eventually helped to seemingly widen the gap. Benn continued to control and cut off the ring while finding success with his punching.
Benn put an exclamation point on his performance by dropping Eubank twice in the final round, dominating and nearly finishing the fight there.
Benn won on all three scorecards with totals of 119-107, 118-108, and 116-110.
Conor Benn Nearly Finishes, Dominates Chris Eubank Jr. In Rematch
He took that Eubank loss to heart and used it to become a world beater. Bravo Conor Benn, what an absolute masterclass you put on tonight against a much bigger man. #EubankBenn2pic.twitter.com/YTnMuieuzc
One of the best performances you will ever see from a British boxer. Possibly the greatest ever. The concession of weight, the first fight, the story. How fitting will it be to have a Eubank retired by a Benn.
Eubank jr is purposely trying to throw the fight away so he can have a trilogy with Benn for even more money but I can’t prove it pic.twitter.com/XtTjGctRaa
A boxing bout between Shakur Stevenson and Conor Benn would definitely bring eyeballs — especially after the way they talked trash at each other on a livestreamed Internet program.
Stevenson and Benn were both scheduled guests for a recent edition of The Ariel Helwani Show following Stevenson’s victory over William Zepeda in Flushing, NY, this past weekend, retaining the WBC lightweight title.
Helwani brought the two in and seated them next to one another at one point, where things seemed to get stirred. And after an early exchange of pleasantries, the insults — be it serious or playful — started to get thrown.
Stevenson appeared to talk Benn down, following Benn’s loss to Chris Eubank Jr. in April.
“You’re not that big, bro,” Stevenson told him.
“When I hit you, you’ll feel it,” Benn responded. “You’re going to be on your bike. You’re not going to hit me.”
Did Shakur Stevenson And Conor Benn Just Agree To Lightweight Matchup In November?
Benn followed it up by mentioning a couple of moments during the Zepada matchup where he seemed to stumble Stevenson, which Stevenson responded by telling Been to “stop lying.”
When Stevenson went back to the size remarks, saying he and Benn are not that far off in terms of build, Benn challenged Stevenson to come up to 160 for a fight.
Benn, despite having fought at welterweight and middleweight most recently, then said he’d be interested in dropping to 147 to challenge Stevenson in November — which Stevenson seemed to accept.
“I’ll fight you at 147,” Benn said. “No, no, no, no, no. I don’t hear no excuses.”
“After I beat you, just tell me I’m great,” Benn also said.
The conversation continued to be an exchange of compliments and jabs before Stevenson left minutes later, as Benn finished up with Helwani.
Stevenson is undefeated at 24-0, having held gold at featherweight and super featherweight before becoming a lightweight world champion.
Benn’s lost to Eubank Jr. marked the first in the professional career of the former WBA Continental welterweight champion.
In what ended up being an explosive, highly entertaining battle of second-generation boxing talents, Chris Eubank scored a unanimous decision victory over Conor Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.
Benn came out blazing from the opening bell, using explosive combinations and rapid movement. Not only did that overwhelm Eubank, but so, too, did his body work and speed. Eubank, meanwhile, struggled to find rhythm as Ben appeared to be in control, landing damaging shots.
At about the halfway point of the fight, however, Eubank began to find success and turn the tide. He soon was the one in control and landing the more effective punches. This included a strong right hand that seemed to stumble Benn during the ninth round. Benn, however, looked to fire back with power and stay composed, trying to bring the pressure right back to Eubank.
Though he sported a cut from an accidental clash of heads, Eubank continued to press hard, leading to an insane 12th and final round. Eubank rocked Benn once again, but Benn recovered quickly and returned fire with vicious punches. The two went back-to-back, with the final result being anyone’s guess.
Ultimately, all three judges scored the bout for Eubank 116-112.
Fighters, Fans React As Chris Eubank Wins Electrifying Battle With Conor Benn
Eubank has now won three straight and nine of his last 10. He came into this contest off his IBO middleweight title win over Kamil Szeremeta in October.
On the other hand, this marked the first loss in Benn’s career, dropping him to 23-1. It was also his first fight in about 14 months, most recently defeating Peter Dobson in February 2024.
