Eddie Hearn says Conor Benn had three potential title routes available before leaving Matchroom, but suggested the financial upside of alternative opportunities ultimately outweighed those championship paths.
Speaking to IFL TV this week, Eddie Hearn outlined what he described as viable options involving Lewis Crocker, Josh Kelly, and Rolando Romero before Benn moved toward a Zuffa-backed bout.
Three Fights He Should Be Taking
“There were three fights that I felt he should be taking,” Hearn said.
The first, he argued, was the clearest route to recognized world status.
“But I just felt he should have fought Lewis Crocker. That was such a natural fight to take, and we told him to take it.”
Crocker currently holds the IBF welterweight title, making that matchup a direct world championship opportunity.
Kelly And Romero As Alternatives
Hearn then pointed to a domestic showdown with Josh Kelly, describing it as another title route despite the financial difference.
“The other one I knew he wouldn’t take was Josh Kelly. Conor Benn vs Josh Kelly at the Stadium of Light. Again, not as much money as the Prograis fight ($15m) but another shot at the title.”
A third option, according to Hearn, involved WBA titleholder Rolando Romero. Benn faced off with “Rolly” in New York earlier this year in what now appears unlikely to have progressed beyond initial discussions, as the financial terms never matched what the Londoner ultimately secured elsewhere.
“The other one was Rolly Romero. But those fights didn’t deliver the money. I just think the mindset from him was a little bit different.”
“He Wants The Money”
Hearn framed the situation as a contrast between financial leverage and championship ambition.
“I said to him, imagine becoming a world champion, like your dad became world champion, and he wasn’t bothered.”
He then added, “Well, of course, he wants to become a world champion, but he wants the money.”
Benn is scheduled to face Regis Prograis on April 11 as part of the Tyson Fury undercard in the UK, marking his first fight following the promotional shift.
The Power Shift After Eubank
Benn spent two years rebuilding his standing after the suspension that stalled his career. That road ultimately led to two lucrative fights with Chris Eubank Jr., the only all-British rivalry capable of delivering the type of payday that altered his negotiating position.
Winning the rematch strengthened that leverage. From there, the dynamic changed.
Friendships and long-term relationships became secondary to market value. Benn chose the path that made the most financial sense, and in doing so made clear what now drives the next phase of his career.
Whether that approach resonates with British fight fans remains to be seen. Returning to the UK so soon places him directly in front of that judgment, and the reaction on fight night may offer the first indication of how the decision will be received.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.
