Conor Benn clarifies Zuffa Boxing fight deal and opens up on struggles in emotional interview

Conor Benn has opened up about his split with Eddie Hearn and finding his boxing identity in an emotional interview with talkSPORT.

Benn defeated bitter rival Chris Eubank Jr in a high-profile rematch last November to thrust his name into superstardom.

His partnership with long-term promoter Eddie Hearn was thriving, but he stunningly decided to announce he had signed a one-fight deal with Dana White‘s Zuffa Boxing.

Hearn was upset and left taken aback by the move, which will see Benn scoop a $15 million paycheque.

He will take on former super-lightweight world champion Regis Prograis in a shock fight on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s comeback in London on April 11.

And in an exclusive interview with talkSPORT, Benn insisted he had no hard feelings towards his old promotional company, and shed light on the nature of his new deal.

“An opportunity was presented to me that I couldn’t turn down,” he told talkSPORT’s Adam Catterall.

“I don’t hold any type of ill-feeling towards Eddie. I did this for my family.

“It was the best deal for me. I’m excited to be boxing under the Zuffa banner.

“I don’t know the politics of fighting for a Zuffa belt, but I will fight for the WBC world title this year.

“This Zuffa one-fight deal is this fight, and we will see what doors open up about this.”

On his split with Hearn, he went on to add: “No, I don’t owe anyone anything.

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“My family is my legacy, everything else is just noise. I use my dad’s career as a benchmark.

“Yes, I’m the hot topic right now, but I won’t always be.”

Benn gets emotional when reflecting on maturity

It has been an emotional rollercoaster for Benn, who has had mental health struggles in the wake of a saga over his failed drug tests.

But his journey culminated in eventual victory over Eubank Jr for ‘The Destroyer’, who is now ready to leave the rivalry behind him.

He is now focused on developing as a boxer and a person.

And as presenter Catterall fielded questions about his emotional maturity in recent years, Benn choked up.

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He continued while visibly emotional: “Yeah, I think you go through things in life.

“You find out who you are, who you want to be, and that’s it really.

“Boxing is for now, but I want to make the best decisions going forward.

“But I now feel really calm, I don’t feel that rage and anger that drove a lot of my career. I was fuelled by the wrong reasons.”

Benn had previously blamed emotions on his original defeat to Eubank Jr last April.

But it is clear now his focus is on moving forward and keeping momentum going by beating Prograis at 150lbs.

Buy tickets now to watch Conor Benn as part of a huge event headlined by Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Boxing schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.