Eddie Hearn calls out Zuffa’s ‘hilarious’ narrative after Shakur Stevenson signing

Zuffa Boxing has certainly made a splash since it entered boxing, with high-profile signings and consistent fight cards, not to mention Dana White’s ongoing public spats with Eddie Hearn. In recent weeks, Zuffa has announced the signings of Shakur Stevenson and Johnny Fisher. Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn spoke to Fight Hub TV, giving his honest view on Zuffa’s business model.

Zuffa Boxing sign Shakur Stevenson

One of Zuffa’s most high-profile signings has been Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs). In a press release, the WBO and Ring Magazine super lightweight addressed his move to Zuffa:

“Line them up, one by one, and I’ll beat all the top guys once I get them in front of me.”

“With Zuffa Boxing, I’m going to go after the biggest fights in the sport, and I will become the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world,” added Shakur.

“Shakur is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world,” said UFC President Dana White in the same press release. “He’s 29 years old, undefeated and already a four-division world champion. This is a massive signing for Zuffa Boxing, and I’m looking forward to promoting this next fight.”

Eddie Hearn addresses Zuffa’s model

Talking to Fight Hub TV, Hearn gave his honest assessment of Zuffa’s pay model:

“When you talk about the offers Zuffa are making, you’re having to pay legacy guys to lose their legacy, and it’s suicide, but you can play that game when you try and break into a market. We did it with DAZN. I look back at some of the offers we made to fighters back then. Now I look at it, and it wasn’t as reckless as Zuffa, but at the same time, you have to do it.

“What you’re doing is you’re taking away legacy for the fighter in return for money, and the only way you do that is by drastically overpaying them. Now they’re going to fighters and saying, basically, ‘You can’t fight for belts. You can’t make history, but we’re gonna give you a load of money.’ So the number, especially for a guy like Shakur, the narrative they’re feeding the fighters is hilarious. 

“Because they’re coming out saying, ‘This is unbelievable. I can fight whoever I want.’ Look at Jai Opetaia. That’s what they told Jai Opetaia; the next thing he was stripped.”

Featured Image Credit:

Mikey Williams/Top Rank