Conor Benn turned down multiple world title opportunities during his time with Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn has claimed.
Benn signed with Matchroom prior to his professional debut in April 2016 and Hearn guided his career up to and including his two fights with Chris Eubank Jr last year.
After claiming the biggest win to date by dominating his bitter rival in their rematch, Benn shockingly opted to leave Matchroom in February to join Dana White's Zuffa Boxing.
The move rocked the sport of boxing and represented one of the biggest acquisitions for the upstart company led by the UFC president and supported by the financial might of Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh.
With a reported seven-figure deal for a single fight Benn was initially expected to fight for a world title in his Zuffa bow, but instead took on former champion Regis Prograis in his Zuffa bow - winning a unanimous decision on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov last month.
Benn has subsequently signed a new three-fight deal with Zuffa and a world title showdown with WBC king Ryan Garcia is expected to be on the horizon towards the end of 2026.
Benn 'turned down three world title fights'
According to Hearn however, Benn had multiple opportunities to fight for world titles during his time with Matchroom yet continually refused to fight the reigning champions.
"When Lewis Crocker won the world [welterweight] title, I was like, ‘Oh my God – Crocker v Benn at the O2 [Arena] for the world title!
"I went to Conor and he was like, ‘Nah, I don’t want that fight’. Then he eventually started talking about the [IBF’s 10lb] rehydration [policy] and all that kind of stuff.
"So then I was like, ‘Rolly Romero’ – we had that fight done with [Romero’s manager] Luis DeCubas. Benn was like, ‘It’s not a very big fight’. I’m like, ‘Mate, you’re getting a [WBA] world [welterweight] title fight in London. I think you can beat Rolly Romero.
"What about [IBF super-welterweight champion] Josh Kelly at [Sunderland’s] Stadium of Light?’ [Benn said:] ‘I ain’t fighting f***ing Josh Kelly’.
- Eddie Hearn on offering Conor Benn a fight with IBF champion Josh Kelly prior to their acrimonious split
"I think he knows his limitations, so why would you get beat for small money when you can get beat for bigger money?"
Kelly became the fourth British fighter to hold world title gold at 154lbs when he produced a career-best performance to nullify feared KO puncher Bakhram Murtazaliev in January.
Like Benn, Kelly began his career with Matchroom Boxing, turning pro in 2017, the year after the Destroyer made his debut.
Unlike his rival however, Kelly boasts an extensive amateur background that saw him medal at the European Games and represent Team GB at the 2016 Olympics before losing on points to eventual gold medallist Daniyar Yeleussinov of Kazakhstan.
Speaking in 2020, the Hearn touted a potential showdown between the pair: "A fight with Kelly is a big, British fight," the Matchroom chief told Sky Sports at the time.
"If [Kelly] beats Avanesyan and [Benn] wins a British title and move up in the world rankings, it is a big fight.
"[Benn] is closing the gap because people said [Kelly] was too experienced for him, with his amateur pedigree. Too good for [Benn]?
"But as Benn's performances have improved, people are talking about this fight being more competitive."
