Hearn Says Boxing Is Bigger Than The UFC

Eddie Hearn lashed out at the UFC, stating that boxing is now the number one combat sport. 

Hearn’s comments arrive on the back end of the recent news that Dana White will enter into boxing. The CEO of the UFC previously helped stage one of the biggest fights in the sport when Floyd Mayweather faced off against Conor McGregor. The fight sold over 4 million PPVs, showing White could stage big events.

There was speculation that he was going to launch Zuffa Boxing in 2018. However, that never went ahead as White stayed focused on making the UFC the biggest MMA brand in the world. Now that this has been achieved, White has switched his focus into boxing.

He recently confirmed that he would be launching his promotion alongside the Saudis. White was on record saying he has no desire to work with promoters such as Eddie Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya. This raised serious question marks over the future of Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions. White’s entry into boxing has had a mixed reaction. 

Some are of the view that it will help stage the biggest fights out there, much like the UFC model, whilst also bringing through a lot of talent. However, there are also concerns that fighters may not get paid as much as they are used to. The UFC has a very set pay structure. Hearn recently set up one of the biggest fights in boxing this year, with the thrilling Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn bout.

Hearn On White

The fight sold out the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, with reports that 65,000 people attended. It captivated the public’s imagination. Hearn felt that the UFC does not like it when its stars become bigger than their brand, highlighting Conor McGregor as an example. While McGregor still has two fights left on his UFC contract, he has earned enough money outside of the sport to dictate things. McGregor is also a part owner of the BKFC, as he has his future outside of the UFC lined up. 

“Boxing’s on fire right now. It’s controlling all the narrative digitally, across social media on a far different level to MMA and UFC right now. MMA is the poor relative [of boxing] but it’s not their fault, really, what’s happening. It’s just a bit tired, isn’t it? It’s really down to the actual product, which is the fights. If you said to me right now, ‘name me six UFC superstars’ I couldn’t do it.

“The problem is with the UFC, they always want the brand — their brand — to be bigger than the fighter. When a star like Conor McGregor comes around, everything changes. Those guys won’t be able to lace my boots in boxing promotion. As a business, as an organization, as UFC, unbelievable. This is different,” Hearn said