Conor Benn Signs with Zuffa Boxing (again)

[JamesPhilips]

Does every fighter have to sign with Zuffa to fight for them? What about the journeymen?

i'm guessing they'll use some on fight-by-fight deals. Ready available..

If they impress or win, when they're not supposed to, i'm sure they'll get another deal.

Yeah thanks that’s what I was thinking

[keithmoonhangover]

Correct and it never was in the UFC either. However, the business is way overpaying for an asset which means there must be another motive, whether it's a primary or secondary motive. Regardless of whether the business model is profitability, there are tonnes of bigger and better stars out there he could've got with that money. There are other boxers he could've paid to face Garcia or Pacquiao for less money which would've brought in an equal return.

I think it'll be Usyk next.

I'm not sure. Usyk is clearly targeting legacy and money but would completely he sacrifice one for the other? If he signs for Zuffa, at best, they could offer him Ruiz or Opetaia. I don't see him having any interest in Ajagba or anyone worse than that. I could see it as plausible for a one fight deal but I can't see him signing up for 3-4 fights when all of his legitimate opponents for legacy (however he perceives it) are outside of the Zuffa circle.

I'm not sure about the legacy part, a lot of journos, including Dan Raphael are saying he's fighting a kick boxer called Rico Verhoeven. We shall see.

[joshj909]

I think it'll be Usyk next.

I'm not sure. Usyk is clearly targeting legacy and money but would completely he sacrifice one for the other? If he signs for Zuffa, at best, they could offer him Ruiz or Opetaia. I don't see him having any interest in Ajagba or anyone worse than that. I could see it as plausible for a one fight deal but I can't see him signing up for 3-4 fights when all of his legitimate opponents for legacy (however he perceives it) are outside of the Zuffa circle.

I'm not sure about the legacy part, a lot of journos, including Dan Raphael are saying he's fighting a kick boxer called Rico Verhoeven. We shall see.

Yeah, I think that's the money aspect but I don't think he'll sign for that fight if it means signing to Zuffa for another 3 fights too. We'll see.

[gilgamesh]

I think it'll be Usyk next.

I'm not sure. Usyk is clearly targeting legacy and money but would completely he sacrifice one for the other? If he signs for Zuffa, at best, they could offer him Ruiz or Opetaia. I don't see him having any interest in Ajagba or anyone worse than that. I could see it as plausible for a one fight deal but I can't see him signing up for 3-4 fights when all of his legitimate opponents for legacy (however he perceives it) are outside of the Zuffa circle.

I'm not sure about the legacy part, a lot of journos, including Dan Raphael are saying he's fighting a kick boxer called Rico Verhoeven. We shall see.

Educate yourself on who Rico Verhoeven is. If Usyk and him fight it's a big deal maybe not in the Western Hemisphere where people don't appreciate Kickboxing, but it would have huge international appeal, and it is indeed history making. A Heavyweight Boxing Champion vs A Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion has never been done before to my knowledge.

And Rico has been Heavyweight Champion in Kickboxing for like 13 f*cking years.

Furthermore. Aside from being a big International Event. I'll shock everybody, and go out on a limb, and predict one of Usyk's toughest bouts should he fight Rico. Don't get me wrong. He'll win, but he'll have a much harder time than he had from Dubois. I GUARANTEE IT.

Rico's biggest issue would be in pacing himself for the 12 round distance, but for the first 5 or 6 rounds or so, Usyk is gonna have all the fight he can handle.

[KiwiRider]

Barry Hearn is talking rubbish.
Deep down Eddie is probably relieved to be clear of Benn.
The cheating Eggstravaganza, all the lies and bull Connor spouted over that, and Eddie having to stand by him. Bet he doesn't miss that.
All the back talk from Benn about Eddie.
And let's remember - Benn hasn't even won any real belts, not even the Lonsdale!
His best win was a 5 years past prime, weight drained Chris Eubank Jr, who had already beaten Benn.
Yeah, Eddie is real sad and hurt.

[keithmoonhangover]

I'm not sure. Usyk is clearly targeting legacy and money but would completely he sacrifice one for the other? If he signs for Zuffa, at best, they could offer him Ruiz or Opetaia. I don't see him having any interest in Ajagba or anyone worse than that. I could see it as plausible for a one fight deal but I can't see him signing up for 3-4 fights when all of his legitimate opponents for legacy (however he perceives it) are outside of the Zuffa circle.

I'm not sure about the legacy part, a lot of journos, including Dan Raphael are saying he's fighting a kick boxer called Rico Verhoeven. We shall see.

Educate yourself on who Rico Verhoeven is. If Usyk and him fight it's a big deal maybe not in the Western Hemisphere where people don't appreciate Kickboxing, but it would have huge international appeal, and it is indeed history making. A Heavyweight Boxing Champion vs A Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion has never been done before to my knowledge.

And Rico has been Heavyweight Champion in Kickboxing for like 13 f*cking years.

Furthermore. Aside from being a big International Event. I'll shock everybody, and go out on a limb, and predict one of Usyk's toughest bouts should he fight Rico. Don't get me wrong. He'll win, but he'll have a much harder time than he had from Dubois. I GUARANTEE IT.

Rico's biggest issue would be in pacing himself for the 12 round distance, but for the first 5 or 6 rounds or so, Usyk is gonna have all the fight he can handle.

I've read up about him and he's absolutely mustard at kickboxing. His awkward style might trouble Usyk for a couple of rounds, but after that it will be mostly one way traffic. I would much rather see Usyk fight a boxer, but Fury and AJ got to fight Ngannou, so why not.

[forcefraser]

I dont get the massive reaction to this. It's a one fight deal and he wasn't under contract with Matchroom

Can go back to earn with Hearn afterwards

[johnmanchester]

I'm not sure. Usyk is clearly targeting legacy and money but would completely he sacrifice one for the other? If he signs for Zuffa, at best, they could offer him Ruiz or Opetaia. I don't see him having any interest in Ajagba or anyone worse than that. I could see it as plausible for a one fight deal but I can't see him signing up for 3-4 fights when all of his legitimate opponents for legacy (however he perceives it) are outside of the Zuffa circle.

I'm not sure about the legacy part, a lot of journos, including Dan Raphael are saying he's fighting a kick boxer called Rico Verhoeven. We shall see.

Educate yourself on who Rico Verhoeven is. If Usyk and him fight it's a big deal maybe not in the Western Hemisphere where people don't appreciate Kickboxing, but it would have huge international appeal, and it is indeed history making. A Heavyweight Boxing Champion vs A Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion has never been done before to my knowledge.

And Rico has been Heavyweight Champion in Kickboxing for like 13 f*cking years.

Furthermore. Aside from being a big International Event. I'll shock everybody, and go out on a limb, and predict one of Usyk's toughest bouts should he fight Rico. Don't get me wrong. He'll win, but he'll have a much harder time than he had from Dubois. I GUARANTEE IT.

Rico's biggest issue would be in pacing himself for the 12 round distance, but for the first 5 or 6 rounds or so, Usyk is gonna have all the fight he can handle.

Rico was a training partner of Tyson and Hughie when they were based in Holland. He still trains with Peter.

He was originally set to face AJ and very likely could have starched him.

He's way too stiff for Usyk though. Will get rings run round him. Rico has elite boxing by kickboxing standards. He does not have elite boxing by boxing standards.

Kickboxers stand square, don't break at the waist and block rather than evade. Against AJ that would have been fine - he'd have taken some shots and answered back.

Against Usyk he will be punching air.

[joshj909]

I'm not sure about the legacy part, a lot of journos, including Dan Raphael are saying he's fighting a kick boxer called Rico Verhoeven. We shall see.

Educate yourself on who Rico Verhoeven is. If Usyk and him fight it's a big deal maybe not in the Western Hemisphere where people don't appreciate Kickboxing, but it would have huge international appeal, and it is indeed history making. A Heavyweight Boxing Champion vs A Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion has never been done before to my knowledge.

And Rico has been Heavyweight Champion in Kickboxing for like 13 f*cking years.

Furthermore. Aside from being a big International Event. I'll shock everybody, and go out on a limb, and predict one of Usyk's toughest bouts should he fight Rico. Don't get me wrong. He'll win, but he'll have a much harder time than he had from Dubois. I GUARANTEE IT.

Rico's biggest issue would be in pacing himself for the 12 round distance, but for the first 5 or 6 rounds or so, Usyk is gonna have all the fight he can handle.

Rico was a training partner of Tyson and Hughie when they were based in Holland. He still trains with Peter.

He was originally set to face AJ and very likely could have starched him.

He's way too stiff for Usyk though. Will get rings run round him. Rico has elite boxing by kickboxing standards. He does not have elite boxing by boxing standards.

Kickboxers stand square, don't break at the waist and block rather than evade. Against AJ that would have been fine - he'd have taken some shots and answered back.

Against Usyk he will be punching air.

If Verhoeven could have starched AJ, he would've spent his prime as a boxer making millions, not a kickboxer making thousands.

[johnmanchester]

Educate yourself on who Rico Verhoeven is. If Usyk and him fight it's a big deal maybe not in the Western Hemisphere where people don't appreciate Kickboxing, but it would have huge international appeal, and it is indeed history making. A Heavyweight Boxing Champion vs A Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion has never been done before to my knowledge.

And Rico has been Heavyweight Champion in Kickboxing for like 13 f*cking years.

Furthermore. Aside from being a big International Event. I'll shock everybody, and go out on a limb, and predict one of Usyk's toughest bouts should he fight Rico. Don't get me wrong. He'll win, but he'll have a much harder time than he had from Dubois. I GUARANTEE IT.

Rico's biggest issue would be in pacing himself for the 12 round distance, but for the first 5 or 6 rounds or so, Usyk is gonna have all the fight he can handle.

Rico was a training partner of Tyson and Hughie when they were based in Holland. He still trains with Peter.

He was originally set to face AJ and very likely could have starched him.

He's way too stiff for Usyk though. Will get rings run round him. Rico has elite boxing by kickboxing standards. He does not have elite boxing by boxing standards.

Kickboxers stand square, don't break at the waist and block rather than evade. Against AJ that would have been fine - he'd have taken some shots and answered back.

Against Usyk he will be punching air.

If Verhoeven could have starched AJ, he would've spent his prime as a boxer making millions, not a kickboxer making thousands.

Doesn't work like that. Boxing was never on the table for him. There is no boxing scene in the Netherlands and he was never someone who could have gone all the way had he relocated to the UK.

I said he could have starched AJ had they met this year as planned, because AJ is shot and gunshy.

[joshj909]

Rico was a training partner of Tyson and Hughie when they were based in Holland. He still trains with Peter.

He was originally set to face AJ and very likely could have starched him.

He's way too stiff for Usyk though. Will get rings run round him. Rico has elite boxing by kickboxing standards. He does not have elite boxing by boxing standards.

Kickboxers stand square, don't break at the waist and block rather than evade. Against AJ that would have been fine - he'd have taken some shots and answered back.

Against Usyk he will be punching air.

If Verhoeven could have starched AJ, he would've spent his prime as a boxer making millions, not a kickboxer making thousands.

Doesn't work like that. Boxing was never on the table for him. There is no boxing scene in the Netherlands and he was never someone who could have gone all the way had he relocated to the UK.

I said he could have starched AJ had they met this year as planned, because AJ is shot and gunshy.

Nieky Holzken moved over. Why couldn't Verhoeven when he's been the biggest name in kickboxing for a decade? I think you underestimate the difference in level in who they're facing in their own sport too. I'm not saying that Verhoeven couldn't be a good boxer but to suggest he'd going in and wipe the floor with Anthony Joshua because he's consistently beat some scrubs in a different sport for peanuts is ludicrous.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Nieky Holzken moved over. Why couldn't Verhoeven when he's been the biggest name in kickboxing for a decade? I think you underestimate the difference in level in who they're facing in their own sport too. I'm not saying that Verhoeven couldn't be a good boxer but to suggest he'd going in and wipe the floor with Anthony Joshua because he's consistently beat some scrubs in a different sport for peanuts is ludicrous.

Verhoeven has boxed hasn't he?

[JamesPhilips]

Nieky Holzken moved over. Why couldn't Verhoeven when he's been the biggest name in kickboxing for a decade? I think you underestimate the difference in level in who they're facing in their own sport too. I'm not saying that Verhoeven couldn't be a good boxer but to suggest he'd going in and wipe the floor with Anthony Joshua because he's consistently beat some scrubs in a different sport for peanuts is ludicrous.

Verhoeven has boxed hasn't he?

Hes had one fight against a guy who got kod in all his fights
https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/686118

[jameswilson]

I dont get the massive reaction to this. It's a one fight deal and he wasn't under contract with Matchroom

Can go back to earn with Hearn afterwards

Josh Taylor thinks something is going on and is waiting to see what happens after the one fight deal.

[forcefraser]

I dont get the massive reaction to this. It's a one fight deal and he wasn't under contract with Matchroom

Can go back to earn with Hearn afterwards

Josh Taylor thinks something is going on and is waiting to see what happens after the one fight deal.

Maybe Fast Car is letting Zuffa carry the cost of promoting Benn to the U.S market, pay him a motza, only for Benn to return to Hearn with millions in the bank, a bigger U.S profile and a smile on both their faces faces for having played Zuffa like a nasty

[Ruthless-RKO]

I dont get the massive reaction to this. It's a one fight deal and he wasn't under contract with Matchroom

Can go back to earn with Hearn afterwards

Josh Taylor thinks something is going on and is waiting to see what happens after the one fight deal.

Maybe Fast Car is letting Zuffa carry the cost of promoting Benn to the U.S market, pay him a motza, only for Benn to return to Hearn with millions in the bank, a bigger U.S profile and a smile on both their faces faces for having played Zuffa like a nasty

He's gonna fight in the UK though

[TheLeprechaun]

Are we underestimating Benn's value or are Zuffa overestimating it?

I mean when I saw 8 figures, which is 10million, for 1 fight? I mean I just fail to see who the hell he can fight and generate the buys to cover that plus everything else ffs. Yeah I'm sure him and Eubank covered that but neither do that vs anyone else.

The only person who he can generate that against would be Mayweather.

But Floyd was selling out based on him being p4p #1. I doubt 50 year old money grabbing Mayweather has as much appeal but he has a lot of experience building and selling fights. Benn is not a likable guy and not a name. You usually need someone who has some value as a "good guy" vs the "bad guy" in Mayweather, that's how Floyd operates but Benn won't be able to be the "good guy" with the UK behind him. He was already seen as a petulant cheat and now his image has gone even further into the bin.

What do you mean “generate it”. The Saudis don’t need to generate anything,
Cristiano Ronaldo is getting paid £15m a month! Thats not being generated, the Saudi PIF pay it as part of their “vision for 2030, boosting the economy and tourism” (basically sports washing)

They need names and names won’t go there unless they’re paid silly money .

Dubois getting £10m or AJ getting 50m for fighting Ngannou.

No fighter from the UK would fight in Saudi for the same money / deal they’d get paid for fighting in the UK.

Benn ain’t signing for them unless they’re paying life changing generational money that he can’t get here .

That's a good point to be fair. Benn is just such a lack of talent compared to those mentioned. Even Ngannou had pedigree as best MMA heavyweight despite being awful in boxing.

[TheLeprechaun]

Maybe Fast Car is letting Zuffa carry the cost of promoting Benn to the U.S market, pay him a motza, only for Benn to return to Hearn with millions in the bank, a bigger U.S profile and a smile on both their faces faces for having played Zuffa like a nasty

I think Eddie is far too much of a narcissist to ever go along with that.

[forcefraser]

Maybe Fast Car is letting Zuffa carry the cost of promoting Benn to the U.S market, pay him a motza, only for Benn to return to Hearn with millions in the bank, a bigger U.S profile and a smile on both their faces faces for having played Zuffa like a nasty

I think Eddie is far too much of a narcissist to ever go along with that.

That's what I was thinking, then again something like that would appeal to a narcissist like Hearns. Getting one over on Dana White would be his mug of pish

The "He works for Dad" comment will grate at Fast Car.

I'll give him his dues though. Regardless of the massive leg up he was given by his dad, he works his nads off, seems to pay his fighters on time and clearly has a genuine passion for boxing.

[Ruthless-RKO]

UFC Star Sean O’Malley Stunned by Zuffa Boxing Pay After Conor Benn’s $15M Deal

UFC fighter Sean O'Malley was left furious when reacting to news of Connor Benn signing for Zuffa in a $15 million deal.

A leading star and former UFC champion, Sean O'Malley, was left shocked as to why a person 'he doesn't even know ' has earned such a lucrative deal.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, O'Malley said: "For me, it's so hard to believe, I've been told, Tim (Welch) told me, 'Did you see that?' It doesn't mean it's true. I don't know, it could very well be true.

"I can't imagine it being true Zuffa Boxing is like they're paying out, I don't even know who Conor Benn is. He's supposed to be a pretty big name in boxing, but I've never f---ing heard of him."

The former UFC Bantamweight champion was bewildered why Benn is earning more than him after the work he has done in the UFC

"It’s crazy, bro. If they really paid this guy $15 million, I don’t know. It’s crazy how you put in so much work in the UFC. Build this name, create this character, be a star. I’m not making f---ing $15 million to fight.”

Dana White and the UFC announced a seven-year deal with Paramount on January 1, valued at approximately $7.7 billion.

O'Malley has over twice the social media following, hence his disbelief, but it seems the backing behind Zuffa Boxing by Saudi Arabia's Turki Alalshikh may be a driving factor as to why the deal reached so high.

O'Malley hints the Connor Benn signing may be an 'ego thing'

The UFC star has hinted the Connor Benn-Zuffa signing may be an 'ego thing' by Dana White towards rival promoters Eddie Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya,

“Business is business. He hates, hates Eddie Hearn, so it’s like let’s take their biggest star and pay them — I can see it being an ego thing. Again, I’ve never really heard of him.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

‘I’m a servant of the public’: Conor Benn intends to pursue megafights under Zuffa

Conor Benn looks to build his brand Stateside for the foreseeable future.

Conor Benn recently made headlines by splitting with longtime promoter Matchroom in order to sign with Zuffa Boxing. While Zuffa themselves don’t have much of a stable of fighters at the moment, this news has caused many to question the career trajectory of Benn and what kind of fights we can expect to see him in going forward. Talking to Sky Sports, Benn says that he fully intends to pursue big and meaningful fights with public demand in the United States.

“Career’s heading in the same direction which is world title by the end of the year, God willing, and just mega-fights. That’s the plan. Give the supporters, the fans what they want. Come over here, all the belts are over here in America. Whatever the public want it to be it will be,” he added. “I’m a servant of the public and I want to give the supporters the biggest and the best fights possible.”

Benn would go on to say that Ryan Garcia is an appealing target now that he’s won the WBC welterweight title, and says that he can’t be compared to a fighter like Mario Barrios because he’ll be a much more vicious and determined opponent in the ring.

Of course if Benn is unable to secure a fight against Garcia in the near future, he’ll instead look to take a fight before then, mentioning names such as Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney, and Rolly Romero as fighters he has in his sights.

There’s also the potential for a third fight against Chris Eubank Jr, who Benn says he would consider moving up to fight at 168 because he simply feels like he’s just the better fighter and wouldn’t mind leaving Eubank without any excuses for coming up short. A world title opportunity, however, remains Benn’s top priority.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Conor Benn targets Ryan Garcia and world title, rules out Floyd Mayweather bout but would box Chris Eubank Jr at 168lbs

After signing with new promoter Zuffa Boxing, Conor Benn reveals his targets; He wants "mega-fights" with Ryan Garcia, Shakur Stevenson or Devin Haney and ruled out boxing Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao; He admitted he would accept a fight with Chris Eubank Jr up at super-middleweight

Conor Benn will target a “mega-fight” with Ryan Garcia after signing with new promoter Zuffa Boxing, but also revealed he is open to another bout with Chris Eubank Jr, this time up at super-middleweight.

Previously Benn had been promoted by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing but in an industry-shaking move has now joined Zuffa, the new entity run by UFC boss Dana White.

Asked about what the switch to Zuffa meant for his career, Benn exclusively told Sky Sports: "Career's heading in the same direction which is world title by the end of the year, God willing, and just mega-fights. That's the plan. Give the supporters, the fans what they want. Come over here, all the belts are over here in America.

"Whatever the public want it to be it will be," he added. "I'm a servant of the public and I want to give the supporters the biggest and the best fights possible.

"I know we've got big plans for me to take the world by storm."

Garcia secured a dominant victory over Mario Barrios to win the WBC welterweight world title on Saturday. Benn now wants his shot at Garcia.

"Obviously I watched the fight with Barrios, I'm the No 1 contender mandatory for the belt," the Briton said.

"I can't say I was impressed. He did what he needed to do with a guy who's just coming off two draws, one dimensional, slow. [Barrios] wasn't really in the fight. I was impressed with Garcia's engine though, I was impressed with the fact he's managed to pull himself together and win a world title."

Benn insisted: "I am no Barrios and I think I'd give him hell in there.

"He's there for the taking.

"I think my speed, my agility, my explosiveness, my unorthodox style and power would cause him a lot of problems.

"It would be an exciting fight for sure, I definitely don't see that fight going to points by any measure."

It's unclear when Garcia will be ready to fight next. If it's not until September, Benn would want an alternative bout first.

"I'd like to be out as soon as possible, so whenever the first date presents itself no doubt I'll jump at the opportunity," he said. "All I need is a few weeks and I'm ready to go. If [Ryan Garcia] is September I'd like to get out two or three times this year. So we'll just wait and see.

"Rolly Romero [the WBA welterweight titlist], Shakur [Stevenson], [Devin] Haney, I really want a piece of the American pie."

It would be richly satisfying for him to follow his father Nigel Benn's footsteps and win a world title in America. A championship is his primary goal, rather than fighting welterweight legends like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather who are still active in the sport in their late 40s.

Benn views Pacquiao like he does Mayweather: "Just a bit old.

"He's a legend and I respect and admire him as a man, as a fighter to let him lose to via just being old."

A "wild card" fight for him would be Jake Paul, the YouTuber turned professional cruiserweight who lasted six rounds with Anthony Joshua at heavyweight.

"Jake Paul that would be an out there fight! I've got plenty of things I want to do and achieve in boxing before that, like the world title, like mega-fights, Shakur mega-fight, Haney big fight, Garcia mega-fight," Benn said.

He would be open to an eventual trilogy fight with his rival Chris Eubank Jr. Benn moved up to middleweight to box Eubank twice at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last year, losing a thriller in the first contest but controlling the rematch, in which he dropped Eubank twice before the end.

While Benn's targets are at welterweight, he would be willing to go up to super-middleweight, 168lbs, to give Eubank a third fight.

"The first fight for me wasn't who I am or the sort of fighter I am. Would I fight Eubank at a weight that he's comfortable at and has no excuses? Yeah, I would," Benn said.

"Thinking about it, I would fight him at 168lbs. I would. Not for anything else but to beat him so convincingly again. Because I'm just a better boxer. I have better ring IQ, I'm just faster, more agile. I just punch harder. I have better endurance. Every sector I'm better than him.

"That would be a point I want to prove. Not to myself, because I know I beat him."

He added: "It's just something personal with me and Chris and there will always be something there. I respect Chris, I respect him.

"You don't have to like someone you respect. I respect him because being in this game is hard and also being a legend's son is hard. But ultimately we did it, we do it, we've set our kids' lives up, we are established in the game and we have a big following.

"But for me, my goal is still to get the world title."

[TheLeprechaun]

Maybe Fast Car is letting Zuffa carry the cost of promoting Benn to the U.S market, pay him a motza, only for Benn to return to Hearn with millions in the bank, a bigger U.S profile and a smile on both their faces faces for having played Zuffa like a nasty

I think Eddie is far too much of a narcissist to ever go along with that.

That's what I was thinking, then again something like that would appeal to a narcissist like Hearns. Getting one over on Dana White would be his mug of pish

The "He works for Dad" comment will grate at Fast Car.

I'll give him his dues though. Regardless of the massive leg up he was given by his dad, he works his nads off, seems to pay his fighters on time and clearly has a genuine passion for boxing.

If I was born with a billion quid company being handed to me and in a situation where everyone is a yes man and I can do no wrong, then I wouldn't expect credit for anything. Hearn is actually very much disliked in the fight game by fighters who had to graft from day 1 whereas he was given everything and is a clear narcissist and egomaniac. I'd rather give credit to the ordinary joe soap than a person like Hearn.

[CaptainSpacerod]

I think Eddie is far too much of a narcissist to ever go along with that.

That's what I was thinking, then again something like that would appeal to a narcissist like Hearns. Getting one over on Dana White would be his mug of pish

The "He works for Dad" comment will grate at Fast Car.

I'll give him his dues though. Regardless of the massive leg up he was given by his dad, he works his nads off, seems to pay his fighters on time and clearly has a genuine passion for boxing.

If I was born with a billion quid company being handed to me and in a situation where everyone is a yes man and I can do no wrong, then I wouldn't expect credit for anything. Hearn is actually very much disliked in the fight game by fighters who had to graft from day 1 whereas he was given everything and is a clear narcissist and egomaniac. I'd rather give credit to the ordinary joe soap than a person like Hearn.

Which fighters dislike him ?

[Taansend]

I dont get the massive reaction to this. It's a one fight deal and he wasn't under contract with Matchroom

Can go back to earn with Hearn afterwards

Me neither.

And I don't actually believe all the figures either. Something isn't adding up.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Years ago Barry Hearn, when talking about snooker, said about how you have to sell personalities to the public.

Steve Davis is the boring one, Alex Higgins is the crazy one, Jimmy White was the kid from the streets, Dennis Taylor wore his glasses upside down. Anyway, Hearn sold their personalities rather than their skills, or in addition to.....

And he taught Eduardo this.

I can't help but think that all of this is just part of a long game marketing ploy.

The Betrayal and then.......the Reconciliation.

Or no Reconciliation & there's a feud between the Old School & the powerful upstarts, Zuffa Boxing, funded by Turki.