Keith Connolly says the arrival of Zuffa Boxing changed the direction of Conor Benn’s career and changed negotiations with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.
“The offer was several times higher than what they offered,” Connolly said when discussing Benn’s move away from Matchroom. “At the time, people thought there was no competition out there because DAZN was the only game in town and Zuffa popped up right around the time Conor started free agency.”
Connolly believes Benn’s entry into free agency came precisely at the moment a new player entered the market.
“I think maybe people miscalculated that they were the only show in town and that there wouldn’t be any other offers. That’s a possibility. And then a big offer popped up, and that’s where we are,” Connolly told iFL TV.
Connolly said Benn’s team did meet with Matchroom before making the move, but claimed the numbers discussed were nowhere near the final offer they received elsewhere.
“We had one in New York the week of Teofimo-Shakur, and we told them what we expected. They came in a lot lower than we thought they were. Since he was a free agent, we decided to test the market.”
The discussion also touched on the breakdown in communication that followed Benn’s exit from Matchroom. Connolly defended the decision to send the offer by email rather than deal with everything privately over the phone.
“We covered ourselves legally by emailing the offer, which is what we’re supposed to do,” Connolly said. “It’s a mechanism you’re supposed to do when you get an offer when a promoter has matching rights.”
Connolly added that Benn still wanted Hearn involved after the new deal was struck.
“We still want you on the team,” Connolly said. “Conor wanted Eddie to be in the team.”
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Last updated on 2026/05/17 at 23:00
