Hearn said the number was presented to him as part of negotiations, but he made it clear he wasn’t taking it at face value, especially for a 10-round bout that he believes would normally command much less.
“If you want to get sucked into the fact that someone will pay $15 million for a 10-round fight, where it’s probably worth a million dollars. You’re probably the biggest idiot on the planet,” Hearn told Ariel Helwani.
He added that his team would seek documentation to confirm whether the deal was indeed structured as a one-fight deal with no future options attached. Hearn indicated that verifying those details is now a priority, with further action possible if the terms differ from what was proposed.
“If it’s not the truth, there will be a big problem,” Hearn said, citing the need for transparency around the reported figure.
Hearn said the figure was passed on to Matchroom during discussions surrounding the fight, which required them to consider matching the offer. He questioned whether the reported amount reflected a standalone deal or part of a wider deal, adding that his team would review the details once disclosure was provided.
The comments come as Benn’s promotional situation remains under scrutiny following his recent bout, with questions lingering about the structure and value of the deal that secured his appearance.
