Keith Connolly Says Matchroom Missed Chance To Re-Sign Conor Benn Before Eubank Rematch

Keith Connolly has defended Conor Benn’s move to Zuffa Boxing and said Matchroom had an opportunity to re-sign the welterweight before his rematch with Chris Eubank Jr but did not follow through.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show on Wednesday, Connolly said Benn’s decision was driven by the economics and opportunity in front of him, with the Zuffa offer significantly beyond the terms previously available to his fighter.

Connolly’s comments add fresh context to Benn’s split from Matchroom and the reaction that followed his move to Zuffa. He said his obligation was to Benn rather than any promoter, describing himself as a “mercenary for the fighter” and arguing that a manager cannot advise a client to leave major money on the table to protect an outside relationship.

According to Connolly, Zuffa valued Benn at a level Matchroom did not match. He said the new offer was 400-500 percent higher than previous deals, making the decision straightforward from a management standpoint.

Matchroom approach before Eubank rematch

Connolly said Matchroom had a window to secure Benn before his contract expired and before the Eubank rematch, but that talks never advanced. He recalled someone at Matchroom opening a conversation about a new deal, and said he agreed to discuss it, only for no follow-up to arrive.

That non-move became more significant after Benn beat Eubank convincingly and entered the market with greater leverage. Connolly suggested Matchroom may have calculated that Benn would lose and become cheaper to re-sign, but instead found itself dealing with a more valuable free agent.

Connolly also said Matchroom’s offer after the Eubank fight was “a small offer”. He rejected the idea that Benn’s rise in value was down to luck, saying the matchmaking and commercial strategy had increased Benn’s earning power across his last two fights.

The manager was careful not to attack Eddie Hearn personally, acknowledging him as a great promoter and saying he expects to work with him again. Connolly pointed to recent business involving Filip Hrgovic’s fight with Dave Allen, which was made through Queensberry Promotions, as evidence that boxing’s commercial relationships can continue despite sharp disputes.

Zuffa offer and Matchroom reaction

Connolly said that, once the Zuffa offer was received, Benn’s team sent it to Matchroom by email in line with their contractual obligations. He said he and co-manager and lawyer Lee Emptage then held a call with Matchroom, but chose not to put Benn on the phone because of the tone of the conversation, which Connolly characterised as negative and venomous.

He also pushed back against suggestions that the first Zuffa agreement was part of a wider hidden arrangement. Connolly said Benn’s initial Zuffa contract was a one-fight deal and that Matchroom had the paperwork to verify that position.

After Benn’s fight with Regis Prograis, Connolly said Matchroom did not make an offer and did not contact them to reopen negotiations. That, he said, was why Benn’s team pursued a further Zuffa agreement, with Connolly describing Benn as a “worldwide star” and questioning why he would not continue with the promoter placing the strongest value on him.

Connolly framed the episode as a business decision rather than a personal break. He said Benn operates as a business owner rather than an employee, and argued that free-agent fighters should be able to pursue market value in the same way promoters make their own network and platform decisions.

Litigation talk dismissed

On the possibility of legal action from Matchroom, Connolly declined to engage in detail and said questions about the basis for any lawsuit should be directed to Hearn. His position was that Benn’s team waited until they were contractually permitted to speak to other parties and “played it by the book”.

Connolly dismissed earlier criticism around the deal as “just talk” and maintained that Matchroom had the opportunity to match Zuffa’s proposal, whether on a one-fight or multi-fight basis, but chose not to do so.

Despite the fallout, Connolly said he expects to do business with Hearn again. But he made clear that promoter relationships would not influence decisions involving his fighters, arguing that his responsibility is to maximise their opportunities and earnings.

In Benn’s case, Connolly’s position is that Matchroom had the chance to keep him before and after the Eubank rematch, but ultimately Zuffa was prepared to value him more highly.