Matchroom Boxing Chairman Eddie Hearn has launched a scathing critique of Zuffa Boxing, describing the promotion’s recent handling of elite fighters as "humiliating" following the abrupt departure of undefeated star Shakur Stevenson.
The promotional outfit, spearheaded by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White, had generated major headlines in July by securing the highly touted signing of Stevenson. However, the high-profile relationship has collapsed before it even began. In a stunning twist, the pound-for-pound boxing star has officially secured his release from the organization without ever stepping foot inside the ring to fight under the Zuffa banner.
The unexpected development has sent shockwaves through the combat sports community, drawing immediate reactions from rival promoters. Hearn, speaking in a candid interview with iFL TV, admitted that his initial reaction to the news was sheer disbelief, mistaking the reports for an elaborate promotional prank rather than a harsh reality.
Eddie Hearn Calls Shakur Stevenson’s Departure Before Zuffa Boxing Debut ‘Humiliating’
"Unbelievable, I thought it was a publicity stunt, to be honest with you," Hearn told iFL TV, detailing the moment the news broke across industry circles. "Like, until Shakur’s team called me, messaged me last night, I thought it was all just some kind of stunt for an announcement, because it was so bad, so embarrassing, so humiliating for Zuffa, that I thought it can’t be real."
The Matchroom executive described the immediate frenzy that followed the confirmation of Stevenson’s release, noting how quickly fellow figures in the boxing world reacted to the unprecedented situation.
"Because it happened, and literally within 30 seconds I had 50 messages: ‘Oh my God, have you seen this? Zuffa’s finished. Zuffa’s imploding. Dana White’s head falling off.’ What the f*ck. And I thought, nah, this can’t be right," Hearn continued.
Highlighting the rarity of the situation within the sport’s long and storied history, Hearn emphasized just how damaging the outcome is for White’s newly ventured boxing enterprise.
"Like, how can you sign your most high-profile fighter, and then he leaves you without even fighting? I don’t think, in the history of boxing, that has ever happened," Hearn remarked. "Tell me a time when a promoter has signed a pound-for-pound great, the biggest signing they’ve ever signed, and he has left before he’s even fought. That has never happened."
Hearn did not stop at questioning the logistics of the fallout. He went on to mock White and the broader operational strategy of Zuffa Boxing, throwing the UFC executive’s own ambitious statements back in his face. Throughout the rollout of the boxing promotion, White had teased historical milestones and a substantial body of work that fans and critics alike could expect to witness by the close of the calendar year.
"When Dana White says about the history that Zuffa is gonna make, the body of work that you’re going to see by the end of the year, one thing I will give it to Zuffa: they have made history there by actually signing a fighter and never giving him a fight," Hearn added sarcastically. "So that’s some great body of work there. Of course we’re going to dine out on it, aren’t we? Because they would do the same thing."
The war of words between Hearn and White extends far beyond the turbulence surrounding Zuffa Boxing’s roster management. The two prominent promotional figures have also found themselves at loggerheads over an entirely separate high-profile boxing event: the blockbuster matchup between heavyweight stars Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
The anticipated bout is currently scheduled to take place on December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Tensions have flared regarding the operational and broadcast details of the event, specifically concerning White’s asserted involvement in the production of the broadcast. While White has publicly claimed he will play a role in producing the coverage for the event, Hearn has firmly pushed back against those assertions. The Matchroom chairman maintains that the existing contractual agreements strictly prevent any such outside involvement unless all parties explicitly agree to a formal modification of the contract.
As the fallout from Shakur Stevenson’s departure continues to reverberate across the industry, the ongoing rivalry between Hearn and White highlights the fierce competitive landscape governing elite combat sports promotion today.
