Boxing
How Dana White and Eddie Hearn rivalry is set to run and run
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Sometimes sport needs a new face to burst through its doors, upset the apple cart, and keep pushing everyone involved to perform at their best.
Boxing has just experienced this feeling with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing making the first move in an attempt to disrupt the status quo.
On Friday night, it was announced, to everyone’s surprise, that British star Conor Benn had left longtime promoter Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, to join White’s new boxing venture which is less than three months old.
The news of Benn’s signing sent the boxing world into frenzy, Hearn, one of boxing’s most recognisable faces, had been out manoeuvred by a man who he idolised when making Matchroom Boxing a global entity.
While many parts of Benn’s deal with Zuffa are yet to be finalised, the mere sight of him featuring on a Zuffa graphic is enough to prompt many questions.
Who will Benn fight? Will he reconcile with Hearn and Matchroom? Can Benn no longer compete for a recognised world title?
The politics of boxing at times can be frustrating and tiresome, mostly from the sanctioning bodies who act in their own interest, not for the overall benefit of the sport.
However, White’s decision to steal one of his rival’s most prized assets, even if it is for a one-fight deal as per DAZN’s Chris Mannix, brings back a promotional rivalry which will keep fans guessing and benefit the sweet science.
Hearn vs. White is boxing’s biggest fight
Cast your mind back to the state of boxing before the arrival of Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season, the most intriguing fight in boxing appeared to be taking place outside of the ring.
Hearn and fellow promoter Frank Warren would spend most weeks of the year goading each other in endless YouTube interviews, blaming one and another for the collapse of marquee bouts between their respective fighters.
While to fans, it was frustrating seeing these contests fall through, the Hearn-Warren sideshow provided some memorable moments, and quite frankly was more watchable than the action inside the ring.
Now the two are part of the DAZN family, it’s pretty cordial with the two promotions happy to make fights together when the opportunity presents itself.
White on the other hand wants to tear up boxing in its current state with Zuffa and create a new playing field.
Gone are the sanctioning bodies, albeit there could be some back tracking, and gone are the disputed rankings. Zuffa is wanting to become the premier boxing brand, just like White’s previous success with the UFC in MMA.
White has come out swinging, calling Hearn a “p—y” in the aftermath of the Benn signing, but the American will quickly learn that out of all the figures in boxing to pick a fight with, Hearn is one of the last you’d choose.
Speaking to 5 Live’s Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast on Saturday night, Hearn was quick to criticise White and his colleagues, claiming they only see boxing as business rather than caring for those that compete within it.
“I've said it before: these guys are very, very powerful, ruthless people. They don't care about the sport of boxing,” Hearn said.
"In my opinion, they don't care about the fighters - it's just a business to them."
This rivalry may only be a few weeks old, but it's already something that no one can keep their eyes off.
Two of combat sports’ biggest mouths going at it, whether it be verbally or actions, could bring an edge which at times boxing misses.
Hearn will be spurred on to keep Matchroom atop the tree when it comes to being boxing’s best global promoter, but White and TKO know how to take a brand from humble beginnings to one which dominates its field.
The signing of Benn, and the reaction that followed will give White the hunger to continue poking Hearn in the hope of making him crack. Meanwhile Hearn will have plans up his sleeve to rock Zuffa and put them on the back foot.
Right now, it’s a case of waiting to see who will blink next, but one thing is for sure, this boxing soap opera, love it or hate it, brings a sense of unpredictability to the sport which has not been present in recent times.
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