Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn has responded to UFC CEO Dana White’s suggestion of a boxing match.
Hearn and White were once chummy, but now the two are at odds. The issues began when White dipped his toes in the sweet science with Zuffa Boxing. After some tense verbal exchanges, Zuffa Boxing signed Conor Benn to a one-fight deal worth $15 million. Benn had worked with Hearn for a decade.
Recently, White spoke to Piers Morgan and was asked if he’d be open to fighting Hearn in a boxing ring. The UFC boss said he’s open to the idea. Speaking to iFL TV, Hearn didn’t hesitate to accept such a spectacle (via MMAJunkie).
“I’ve always said yes (to fighting promoters), because I know I’d win those fights,” Hearn said. “But I watch Dana sparring. By the way, of course I’d do it. Because how could you say no? Then, you’d be a p*ssy, wouldn’t you? By the way, Netflix would pay an absolute (fortune), or live on DAZN, the global home of boxing. So I’d probably make a fortune to do it. If I got chinned, I’ll get chinned. But I’d probably spark him out, to be fair.”
Hearn recently made some waves within the MMA community by signing UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall to Matchroom’s talent agency. Hearn’s team will now represent Aspinall, and White responded by insisting he doesn’t have an issue with it.
Zuffa Boxing is apparently far from done making big acquisitions. The promotion is rumored to be on the verge of landing some more significant names in the boxing world. Time will tell how much more aggressive Zuffa Boxing will be, and how that could impact Matchroom’s strategy.
Would you be interested in seeing Eddie Hearn and Dana White trade leather inside the boxing ring? Voice your opinion below.