Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn isn’t backing down from the ongoing war of words with UFC president Dana White and he’s certainly not apologizing for showing emotion.
The rivalry between Hearn and White has intensified following the launch of Zuffa Boxing, the new boxing venture backed by Saudi Arabia powerbroker Turki Alalshikh. Tensions escalated further after British boxer Conor Benn signed a one-fight deal away from Matchroom Boxing, ending a long-standing relationship with Hearn.
While Hearn admitted the move hurt, White added fuel to the rivalry during the UFC Houston post-fight press conference when he publicly mocked the British promoter.
“I hear people’s comments like Dana White saying, ‘Eddie Hearn is a pssy,’ and Terence Crawford saying, ‘Do you think Eddie Hearn actually cares about these guys?’” Hearn told IFL TV. “I’m not saying I’m different, but we’re very different to Dana White and those guys. They don’t give a fck about the fighters.”
Unlike White’s business-first reputation, Eddie Hearn insists emotional investment in fighters is part of his identity as a promoter.
“Have you ever seen Dana White show any emotion when someone wins?” Hearn asked. “He gets in, gives the belt, does his presser, and f*cks off to his massive gaff with a cigar and whiskey thinking life is sweet because they made hundreds of millions.”
“You can’t think when Dalton Smith wins that me jumping in the ring like an absolute clown is an act,” Hearn said. “That’s because I care. If showing emotion makes me a p*ssy, then so be it. We’re very different people.”
The longtime promoter admitted losing Benn from Matchroom Boxing felt personal after years of working closely together.
“But I do care, and it did hurt. I felt massively betrayed,” Hearn added. “At the same time, I’m not sitting around feeling sorry for myself. You just accept what happened and move forward.”
According to Hearn, the situation left a bitter taste because he believes negotiations happened behind his back. Attempts to speak directly with Benn afterward were unsuccessful.
“When someone like Dana sits there and says, ‘Get over it,’ I won’t get over it because it hurt,” Hearn said. “That doesn’t make me weak. It makes me honest.”
“Call me a p*ssy. I care about fighters. Nothing makes me happier than seeing someone achieve their dreams. Seeing people happy is one of the greatest gifts.”
Despite the insults, Eddie Hearn sees a silver lining in the feud. The fact that his name dominated discussion during a UFC press conference in the United States only strengthens his brand internationally.
“First, this is so good for me,” Hearn explained. “You’re sitting at a UFC press conference talking about me. In terms of building my profile in the U.S., this is golden.”
“The more they talk about me, the better. I don’t leave thinking, ‘I can’t believe he said that.’ I leave thinking, this is really on.”
While headlines focused on Zuffa Boxing signing Benn, Hearn clarified that White was not directly responsible for financing the move. The project operates with funding from Saudi-backed partners, while promotional duties fall under TKO Group Holdings.
Hearn insisted he holds no personal grudge against Alalshikh.
“I have no problem with Turki Alalshikh at all,” Hearn said. “Did it probably happen behind my back? Yeah. But I don’t blame him. That’s business.”
“But at least now I know where I stand. When he needs me, we’ll do business. When he doesn’t, maybe he tries to f*ck me. At least I understand the game.”
The clash between Eddie Hearn and Dana White reflects a growing power struggle between traditional boxing promotion and new crossover combat sports ventures. With Zuffa Boxing attempting to reshape the boxing landscape, the tension between the two promoters shows no signs of slowing down.
For Eddie Hearn, however, one message remains clear caring about fighters will never be something he apologizes for.
