UFC owner defends $15 million Conor Benn Zuffa | MMA News
The boxing circle is starting to take discover of Zuffa Boxing following their acquisition of rising UK star Conor Benn. Many have questioned the large $15 million purse reportedly being handed to Benn for his one-fight deal with the promotion, but a UFC owner has defended the company’s choice.
Amid the chaos that ensued after Benn was announced as a new Zuffa Boxing expertise, TKO Group Holdings president and COO Mark Shapiro fought off the critics. The 29-year-old’s transition from Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing to Hearn’s now-fierce rival, Dana White‘s Zuffa Boxing, prompted turmoil online.
Many take into account this the first of many big strikes White and Zuffa shall be making as the weeks unfold, but Conor Benn’s hefty $15 million settlement hasn’t gone down nicely with followers. Defending the company’s strategy, Shapiro likened the transfer to the current Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford deal last 12 months.
“Now, let me be clear: We signed [Conor Benn] for just one fight,” Shapiro said. “That’s all we’re talking about here. Of course, we hope eventually he’ll fight in our Zuffa Boxing series, exclusively on Paramount+, but for now, this is just one fight.”
“No different than what we did with Canelo and Crawford. No different than other superfights we are currently planning with SELA.”
Benn’s transfer is predicted to trigger a domino impact in boxing, with more notable names set to comply with in his footsteps and bounce ship to greener pastures under the new Zuffa Boxing regime.
As followers and fellow fighters continue to problem Zuffa for paying over the chances for a one-fight Conor Benn deal, Mark Shapiro has hit back at the doubters. Shapiro confirmed that all of the prices shall be bestowed upon SELA, as opposed to Zuffa Boxing. SELA is Turki Alalshikh’s Saudi Arabian-led leisure company.
“I would add that the reported purse, which I believe was around — I’m not confirming or denying — that Conor will be paid for the superfight in 2026, is not TKO going out of pocket. SELA, led by our great partner Turki Alalshikh, is covering the purse. Once again, no different than exactly what he did with the Canelo-Crawford fight.”
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