Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has never been one to shy away from sharing his unfiltered thoughts, and he is currently taking more than a little pleasure in watching Zuffa Boxing struggle to gain a foothold in the sweet science. As the promotional outfit faces mounting internal and external challenges, Hearn believes the industry is witnessing the beginning of the end for the company as a relevant player in professional boxing, suggesting that the pressure is visibly wearing down UFC CEO Dana White.
The rivalry between traditional boxing promoters and MMA-backed conglomerates trying to conquer the squared circle has been a major talking point in combat sports for years. However, according to Hearn, the harsh realities of the boxing ecosystem have proven to be an insurmountable obstacle for White and his associates.
Hearn on Dana White’s Recent Struggles in the Business
Reflecting on the entry of White and Zuffa into the boxing landscape, Hearn recalled his initial warnings to the MMA executives regarding the stark differences between managing mixed martial arts and promoting boxing matches.
"I said when these guys come into boxing, ‘you are not going to enjoy this.’ Because when you’ve operated like those guys have, with total control and the ability to mute media, to do what you want and just to have people say yes — boxing is so much different. You’re not going to get your own way, you’re going to get faced with criticism, the media ask much tougher questions, and you will not enjoy it," Hearn stated.
According to the veteran Matchroom boss, those early predictions have manifested into reality in the most dramatic fashion possible. Hearn did not hold back in his assessment of the promotional group’s performance thus far, describing their maiden voyage into the sport as an unmitigated catastrophe.
"Well, that’s the understatement of the year because they have had an absolute disaster, Zuffa. They’ve had the worst start they could ever have in the sport," Hearn remarked. He further pointed out broader corporate trends, noting that the wider UFC business appears to be experiencing a decline, while even television and streaming ratings for WWE have seen downward pressure.
Beyond the business metrics, Hearn suggested that the mounting stress is taking a visible physical and emotional toll on White. Known for his fiery temperament at press conferences and media scrums, White’s public demeanor has become a point of discussion within the industry.
"You can see how it’s affecting Dana. He’s forgetting things, he’s getting flustered. And I know I joke about the blood pressure and the capillaries, but it’s for real," Hearn said. Despite the fierce competition and occasional public sparring between the promoters, Hearn confessed that his perspective has shifted from amusement to a degree of empathy.
"I don’t want to sound facetious but I’ve almost got to the point where I feel sorry for him now… It’s just done. It’s over. So, I think Zuffa Boxing, I think they might be finished already," he added.
Evaluating Zuffa Boxing’s Inactivity and Roster Setbacks
To substantiate his claims regarding the demise of Zuffa Boxing, Hearn pointed to a glaring lack of activity and a series of troubling logistical hurdles. He emphasized that a major promotional entity cannot hope to capture the attention of the combat sports world while maintaining such a sparse event schedule.
"They have not done a show in America since July. It’s November next week. They’ve done one show in the UK which, let’s be honest, I don’t mean to be disrespectful, was awful," Hearn noted, pulling no punches in his critique of their matchmaking and production quality. He contrasted their output with competing promotional efforts in the United Kingdom, arguing that rival companies are consistently delivering vastly superior cards.
"They’ve got another one coming up which is bang average. Ben Shalom’s shows are 5x better, 10x better than Zuffa shows. So, what are they going to do? For a six-month period, they are not doing one show in America, and they’re doing two bang average shows in the UK. These guys don’t know what they’re doing. I think they’re done."
Compounding the promotional drought is a palpable silence from the executive camp, accompanied by high-profile talent departures that have severely damaged the brand’s early public relations efforts. Hearn highlighted the situation surrounding elite star Shakur Stevenson as a prime indicator of internal dysfunction.
"Everyone’s gone quiet. Shakur Stevenson’s left before he’s even had a fight — that’s a PR disaster," Hearn pointed out. The sudden parting of ways with a marquee talent of Stevenson’s caliber before a single bout could be promoted under the Zuffa banner serves as a significant blow to any long-term aspirations the company held in the sport.
Reflecting on the Demands of the Boxing Industry
Hearn admitted that he initially anticipated a much fiercer and more competitive challenge from White and the Zuffa team, expecting their corporate backing and combat sports experience to translate smoothly into boxing dominance. However, the unique, fragmented, and often brutal politics of the boxing world appear to have broken their momentum before it could truly begin.
"I expected these guys to be better at what they do. But I didn’t expect it to affect them so badly and for it to start — you can see the physical breakdown, the mental and emotional breakdown of what is happening when [Dana] is up there [at the press conferences]. You can see it’s like affecting him," Hearn observed.
Drawing on his own extensive experience navigating the treacherous waters of international boxing promotion, Hearn acknowledged that the industry is inherently unforgiving, requiring a thick skin and resilience built over years of dealing with fighters, managers, networks, and a hyper-critical media.
"This is a horrible, horrible business. That’s why I feel almost bad for those guys because I know what it’s like. You have to become really battle-worn to it… I was expecting a real fight out of them, but I think they’re done," Hearn concluded.
