Anthony Joshua Declares Support for Eddie Hearn in Boxing Feud with Conor Benn
Anthony Joshua has firmly taken the side of his long-time promoter Eddie Hearn in the escalating dispute with fighter Conor Benn. This development follows Benn's decision last month to split from Hearn and align with Dana White's newly formed Zuffa Boxing outfit, a move that has sparked significant controversy within the boxing community.
Benn's Lucrative Move to Zuffa Boxing
Conor Benn's departure from Eddie Hearn's promotional stable was confirmed in February, with the British boxer joining UFC CEO Dana White's Zuffa Boxing venture. As part of this high-profile switch, Benn is set to earn an impressive $15 million for his upcoming bout against Regis Prograis. This fight is scheduled to take place on the undercard of Tyson Fury's highly anticipated comeback event on April 11, adding further prestige to the arrangement.
Eddie Hearn has expressed profound frustration over the manner of Benn's exit, particularly criticizing the fighter's refusal to engage in direct discussions about the split. Hearn revealed that he attempted to reach out to Benn multiple times, only to be met with resistance and a suggestion to delay conversations until emotions had cooled.
Joshua's Public Endorsement of Hearn
Anthony Joshua, who is bound to Eddie Hearn by a career-long contractual agreement, made his stance clear through a pointed social media post. On his official accounts, Joshua shared a photograph of himself alongside Hearn at the Wimbledon tennis tournament, accompanied by a caption that directly referenced the ongoing feud.
The caption read: "'AJ: Did you bring the fire power Eddie? Eddie: It's tucked on my waste line mush. I'll let you know when I have a clear sight of Connor Benn [sic]". This public display of solidarity underscores Joshua's loyalty to Hearn amidst the turbulent situation.
Hearn's Emotional Response to Benn's Actions
In a candid interview with iFL TV, Eddie Hearn elaborated on his feelings regarding Conor Benn's departure. He emphasized that his primary grievance is not with Benn pursuing a financially rewarding opportunity, but rather with the perceived lack of respect and loyalty shown in the process.
Hearn stated: "I text Conor maybe four or five days later and said, ‘I really think we should have a call. For everything that I’ve done for you, I don’t think it’s fair that I should have to deal with a letter from your lawyer. Let’s just have a chat', basically, man to man. And he said, ‘I heard you were quite emotional on the call. I think we should just let it all die down and talk another time.’ I’m like, f*** me.’ And that was probably the moment where I just thought I cannot believe it. To be honest, I think people get it a little bit mixed up between a fighter shouldn’t be denied an opportunity to make a load of money for their family and all this kind of stuff. I couldn’t agree more. This is not about that. This is just the way that you act to someone that has done so much for you and has basically saved your career."
Hearn further highlighted his role in supporting Benn through challenging periods, suggesting that such loyalty should be reciprocated. He concluded by describing Benn's actions as "unforgivable" from his perspective.
Current Context and Future Implications
Anthony Joshua is currently in recovery following a serious car accident in Nigeria that occurred after Christmas, with potential plans to return to professional boxing in the summer. Meanwhile, the feud between Eddie Hearn and Conor Benn continues to dominate boxing headlines, raising questions about fighter-promoter relationships and loyalty in the sport.
This dispute also casts a spotlight on the growing influence of Dana White's Zuffa Boxing in the traditional boxing landscape, potentially signaling shifts in how fighters negotiate their careers and affiliations. As the situation unfolds, the boxing world watches closely to see how this conflict will impact future negotiations and partnerships within the industry.
