Hearn blasts trash-talking White as war of words intensifies

The Matchroom Boxing supremo has been locked in a war of words with White since Zuffa Boxing launched earlier this year.

But their feud intensified when Conor Benn left Matchroom for Zuffa, which in turn prompted White to challenge his fellow promoter to a fight.

Hearn, 46, has repeatedly claimed he would happily pull on the gloves to settle matters — despite the fact he doesn’t view the American as a serious rival.

Speaking exclusively to DAZN News, he said: “It's quite bizarre really. It feels a little bit like it did in the early days with Frank Warren. But Frank's a million times a better boxing promoter than Dana.

“I mean, Frank lives and breathes it. He’s sensational at applying pressure. So this is kid's play for me.

“This is honestly a stroll in the park because Dana doesn't know what he's talking about. He has no knowledge of boxing.

“He talks absolute waffle. I've never heard so many lies come out of someone's mouth.

“I just did a show in Houston. I'm walking around and people are saying ‘Hey, smash Dana’.

“So what he's doing for my profile in America is incredible. This is all just a smart process of building the boxing world of Eddie vs. Dana. But he's not worthy of being my biggest rival.”

Zuffa are pushing their own titles instead of the traditional championships sanctioned by the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF.

Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

That approach does not sit well with Hearn, who believes White’s model is destined for failure.

Speaking ahead of Zuffa’s first UK show in Bournemouth on Saturday, he added: “That's how I feel about it because I look at what they're doing.

“I look at when Dana does press conferences and talks about boxing. He hasn’t got a clue.

“Now, Zuffa are very powerful. They're a great organisation. If you buy a ticket on Saturday night, I think you get to meet a WWE star. Who gives a f—k?

“If we’re talking long-term consistency and passion for the game, they can't lace our boots.

“They're paying fighters, some select fighters, three or four times more than everybody else will pay. That ain't smart business.”

As for talk of an actual fight with White, who is 56, Hearn is not convinced it will materialise.

He said: “Of course, when you're a kid, you think you can fight. And I did a couple of gym bouts. But I never called Dana out to fight.

“He went on Piers Morgan and said he’d fight me, so I went back and said alright then.

“Then he starts going on. It's a disgrace but that's the reality of the world we live in today.

“I just embarrass him time after time. I've heard they're not doing a press conference now in Bournemouth for some reason.

“If he gets in front of the YouTubers and does a proper day of media, he’ll never want to work in boxing again because he's a control freak.

“In boxing, you can never have control. It's out of control. But you've got to be up for being in that world.

“They want to see every interview. They want to vet every question. It's just not real. And that's why I know we'll win.”

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