Zuffa Boxing entered the market with ambition, but Eddie Hearn doesn’t see it anywhere near the top of the current promotion pecking order.
Hearn ranked the new venture way down the list when asked about his ranking, saying it’s “eighth, ninth” among promoters at this point in an interview with Fight Hub TV. That comment cuts through the early attention surrounding the project and places it in a competitive context where established outfits remain active year-round.
He pointed to a basic issue. Boxing doesn’t offer the level of control that built the UFC model, and that difference changes how a new entrant operates. Hearn described the people behind Zuffa as used to controlling their environment, then questioned how that approach translates to a sport where fighters, promoters and broadcasters all operate independently.
Activity was another part of his argument. Hear about referred promoters who consistently run shows and build schedules around their fighters, and contrast that with a model that seems to stage events more intermittently. In his opinion, that kind of approach makes it difficult to move up quickly, especially when others are active across multiple charts and markets.
He also linked the challenge to issues outside of boxing. Hearn suggested that pressures on the UFC side of the business may limit how much attention and resources Zuffa can devote to building a boxing operation, especially in the early stages.
At the same time, he acknowledged the power behind the project. The support, experience and resources are there, and he expects it to improve over time. The question he raised is how far they can climb in a sport where the leading promoters are already established and operating at full speed.
Right now, Hearn’s view puts Zuffa firmly behind that group, with progress depending on how quickly it can build activity and adapt to a system it doesn’t control.
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Last updated on 2026/03/20 at 13:18
