Eddie Hearn has doubled down on ending his relationship with Conor Benn — admitting he now questions everything he was told after months of publicly standing behind him.
The Matchroom promoter made the comments in a candid interview with Fight Hub TV, reinforcing a stance that has been building since Benn’s departure.
Asked directly whether the situation had gone beyond repair, Hearn made his position unmistakably clear.
“Yes, without a doubt,” Hearn said. “Listen, I wish him all the best, but, you know, when you think someone was someone and they’ve shown you they’re really not, it makes you question everything they’ve said and told you throughout the whole time.
“So, yeah. And I’m learning more as I go along now. Things are coming back to me and I’m like, ‘Hang on a minute,’ but I shall say no more.”
Relationship over
The tone marks a sharp change from Hearn’s previous stance. For months, he stood firmly behind Conor Benn when the fighter was under fire following two failed drug tests, backing him through one of the most difficult periods of his career.
The contrast is stark after months of defending Benn unequivocally when the son of a legend was under fire from two failed drug tests.
That backing has now given way to second thoughts about what came before it.
The shift has been building. Hearn had already admitted he made a mistake not securing Benn to a fresh deal before his exit, a decision he later blamed on trusting the relationship rather than the realities of the sport, as he explained when reflecting on the contract situation following Benn’s departure.
That fallout soon extended beyond Benn himself, with Hearn confirming his breakdown with manager Keith Connolly effectively closed the door on working with fighters like Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins, both of whom have since aligned with Zuffa Boxing, a situation that developed after the relationship with Connolly collapsed.
Trust broken
Now, the promoter has gone further, suggesting the situation has forced him to reassess what he believed at the time.
“Some people aren’t as smart as they think,” Hearn added. “But look, we—you know, I can’t really comment too much on it at the moment. It’s an ongoing issue.”
With the relationship now over, fighters remaining at Matchroom and future signings will see a very different Eddie Hearn after the first close partnership of his tenure went sour.
The promoter has long built his reputation on close ties with fighters, often maintaining relationships that extend beyond simple contracts. This episode may mark a turning point in how those connections are handled going forward.
Benn’s stance on loyalty may not have developed on its own. His father, Nigel Benn, was always openly skeptical about promoter involvement in his career and monetary dealings, a mindset that now appears to have carried through into how Conor has approached his own path.
That outlook may also explain why the relationship with Hearn ultimately broke down so quickly once trust was questioned.
WBN has consistently taken the view that the situation played out in full view as Dana White and Eddie Hearn went back and forth publicly in the media.
The intensity of those exchanges appears to have fed directly into what followed, with White pushing for Benn to join TKO. At the time, Benn was one of Hearn’s closest relationships at Matchroom outside of Anthony Joshua, making the breakdown all the more telling.
What comes next
Now aligned with Zuffa Boxing, Benn enters a new phase that continues to ripple beyond his own career.
His next move could involve a high-profile clash with Ryan Garcia, with World Boxing News understanding that discussions depend on whether Dana White and Oscar De La Hoya can find common ground despite their ongoing dislike of each other.
Many already view Garcia as a significant favorite, yet the fight carries intrigue — and the press conferences alone between White and De La Hoya would likely justify the price of admission.
The situation has already reshaped parts of the promotional landscape around both men. What began as a single departure has extended into wider consequences, influencing relationships, opportunities, and how business is conducted on both sides.
For Hearn, the message is now clear. The relationship is over — and the trust that once defined it may not come back.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.