Eddie Hearn on Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing: “Would Be Ridiculed for Months” if Matchroom Did the Same
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn shared his thoughts on Zuffa Boxing’s first event and his relationship with UFC boss Dana White during a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, offering an assessment of the new boxing venture while maintaining respect for his emerging competitor.
Eddie Hearn Assesses Zuffa Boxing Debut: “Lacked Ambition” but Built for Long-Term Growth
Hearn described the first Zuffa Boxing card on January 23 at the Meta Apex as lacking the fanfare expected from such a well-resourced organization. “To the naked eye, it probably lacked ambition,” Hearn said. “If you want to come out the gates hot, you want to do a big event with a big crowd and make big noise.”
The Matchroom Boxing chief added that the presentation would have drawn sharp criticism had it come from his own stable. “If I did a show like that with that card in that kind of atmosphere with the look, I would be ridiculed for months,” he explained. “But this is a new thing and it’s emerging and it will get better and better.”
Hearn acknowledged the long-term approach Zuffa appears to be taking. “I think these guys are long-term players,” he said. “They’re looking at a five, 10-year plan for the business.” He criticized the lack of storytelling around the fights, noting the card featured bouts with no clear stakes or championship implications.
Eddie Hearn vs. Dana White: Boxing Promoter Warns Zuffa About Belt Recognition Issues
The promoter discussed Zuffa’s recruitment strategy, pointing to the signing of IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. Hearn called it “a must take deal” for the Australian fighter who had been struggling to secure meaningful opportunities. “He’s had three fights in the wilderness in Australia making very small money. No one really wanted to fight him,” Hearn noted.
However, Hearn identified a significant challenge facing Zuffa Boxing regarding sanctioning bodies. While White has stated he will not acknowledge WBC, WBA, IBF or WBO belts, fighters like Opetaia signed specifically to pursue unification fights. “What matters to Jai is the belts,” Hearn said. “Dana has come out and said we’re not acknowledging any of the belts. But now you’re recruiting fighters that are desperate to fight for the belts.”
Hearn predicted a confrontation between Zuffa and sanctioning organizations. “The governing bodies are going to have to make a call to say if you’re not acknowledging that our world championships are on the line, if you are not paying the promoter sanction fees for these events, we’re not allowing the belt to be on the line,” he explained.
On defending traditional titles, Hearn remained firm. “Young fighters don’t want to fight for a Zuffa belt,” he said. “WBC championship, that’s legacy. Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard. Every great fighter has had that belt.”
Regarding his relationship with White, Hearn revealed he reached out while both were in Las Vegas during fight week. “I messaged Dana on the first Saturday. I said, ‘Listen, you’ve had boxing, but if you want to meet,’ he said, ‘Yeah, let’s meet,'” Hearn shared. The meeting fell through due to scheduling conflicts, but Hearn emphasized their continued mutual respect despite being competitors.
“Dana has always been very good to me and he’s always been very cordial, but now we’re competitors,” Hearn said. “It doesn’t mean we have to slag each other off.”
Hearn credited White’s business acumen while expressing confidence in his own abilities. “I think Dana knows we’re the best and I think he’s kind of alluded to that in the past,” he said. “I’ve always learned from those people. We’ve copied some of the stuff that the UFC have done because they do it very well.”
As Zuffa Boxing continues to develop its roster and approach, Hearn remains watchful of the competition while maintaining his position in the sport. The promotional battle between the two figures appears set to define a significant chapter in boxing’s evolution.
