Eddie Hearn gives brutal response to Dana White babies comment as feud builds: ‘Your new father’

Eddie Hearn and Dana White are embroiled in a verbal battle after the latter’s arrival in boxing promotion.

White is attempting to ruffle some feathers, having launched his Zuffa Boxing promotion with Turki Alalshikh, and three shows have now taken place.

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Hearn and White previously got on before the American’s presence in the sport, with the Matchroom Boxing kingpin even attending a UFC show.

But the pair have become increasingly at odds in recent week, with Hearn critical of White’s model including the launch of the Zuffa Boxing belt, and his signing of Jai Opetaia.

In a brutal tirade aimed at the boxing promoters, White suggested that coming into the sport was like ‘beating up babies’ at the press conference for Efe Ajagba’s victory over Charles Martin.

He also then accused Hearn of simply working for his father Barry, a common insult which was often levelled at the family by Frank Warren before their alliance.

Hearn, in an exclusive chat with talkSPORT, hasn’t held back in his reply insisting White has already been rattled by his comments.

He said: “Really frightening comments, very strange and not phrases I would use.

“It normally takes people a few years to be battered into submission before saying ‘he works for his Dad’.

“Dana has already been very complimentary of what we did, right now their vision is Callum Walsh with Max Kellerman telling you he’s the next Roy Jones.

“And Charles Martin headlining in a garage in a ring pulled from a club show. What they are trying to do is manipulate fight fans.

“They are much smarter than that. If I put Charles Martin on a headline fight, I’d get f***ing ripped to shreds.”

Eddie Hearn to Dana White: ‘You have a new papi’

Hearn was particularly reactive to comments over his father Barry.

And he then suggested that Saudi boxing chief Alalshikh, who has helped White with his new promotional model, is his new father.

He continued: “Normally it takes them a while to get personal enough to say I work for my dad.

“You could say that the Fertitta brothers are his dad, because he works for them. But right now, he has a new father.

“He has a new papi, and papi is Turki Alalshikh. Dana White works for Turki Alalshikh.

“So good luck, go and do your job and be a good boy.”

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Hearn and White are likely to continue to feud for several months now.

This is particularly as the MMA monopoliser tries to build his own roster and stable in boxing.

He is looking to make waves and is even in talks to sign boxing superstar and heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

But competition is healthy and is likely to give the schedule a significant boost in the coming weeks.

Boxing Schedule

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