Hearn Reveals Benn Rejected Three World Title Bids Before Zuffa Switch

Eddie Hearn has lifted the lid on Conor Benn’s departure from Matchroom, claiming “The Destroyer” turned down three separate world championship opportunities before signing with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing. Speaking during a media huddle with Boxing News, Hearn detailed how Benn dismissed fights against Lewis Crocker, Rolando Romero and Josh Kelly while still under his promotional banner. Each proposal, the Matchroom chief explained, was met with little enthusiasm. “We started talking about the IBF’s rehydration policy and all that kind of stuff,” Hearn recalled when the Crocker route was mentioned. He then moved to Romero, a WBA welterweight title clash that had been agreed with manager Luis DeCubas. “Benn was like, ‘It’s not a very big fight’. I’m like, ‘Mate, you’re getting a world title fight in London. I think you can beat Rolly Romero.’” The final offer was an all-British showdown with IBF super-welterweight champion Josh Kelly at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. According to Hearn, Benn’s response was blunt: “I ain’t fighting f***ing Josh Kelly.” The Matchroom promoter delivered a stinging assessment of his former charge’s ambitions. “I think he knows his limitations, so why would you get beat for small money when you can get beat for bigger money?” Benn officially parted ways with Matchroom in February, ending a long-term partnership to ink a one-fight deal with Zuffa that has since been extended into a multi-fight agreement. His first outing under the new banner saw him dominate former two-weight world champion Regis Prograis at a 150lbs catchweight last month, on the undercard of Tyson Fury versus Arslanbek Makhmudov. Zuffa’s plan now appears to focus on a showdown with WBC welterweight titleholder Ryan Garcia, a fight made plausible by Benn’s number one ranking at 147lbs with the sanctioning body. Despite that lofty position, Benn hasn’t competed at the welterweight limit since stopping Chris van Heerden in 2022, leaving questions over whether he can still make the division safely. (Photo credit: Eddie Hearn / Facebook)

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