Zuffa Boxing’s recent acquisition of rising UK boxing star Conor Benn has garnered significant attention, particularly regarding the reported $15 million purse for a single-fight deal. This substantial sum has raised questions within the boxing community, prompting a UFC owner to defend the company’s decision.
Following the announcement of Benn joining Zuffa Boxing, TKO Group Holdings President and COO Mark Shapiro took to addressing critics. The 29-year-old’s move from Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing to Dana White’s rival Zuffa Boxing ignited considerable debate online.
While many view this as the first of many major moves anticipated from White and Zuffa in the coming weeks, the hefty $15 million agreement for Conor Benn has not been well-received by fans. Defending the company’s strategy, Shapiro drew parallels to last year’s Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford deal.
“Let me be clear: We signed [Conor Benn] for just one fight,” Shapiro stated. “That’s our current focus. Of course, we hope he’ll eventually compete exclusively in our Zuffa Boxing series on Paramount+, but for now, it’s a single bout.” He added, “This is no different from what we did with Canelo and Crawford, and it’s similar to other superfights we are planning with SELA.”
Benn’s transfer is expected to create a “domino effect” in the boxing world, potentially inspiring other notable fighters to seek new opportunities under the burgeoning Zuffa Boxing regime.
As fans and fellow fighters continue to challenge Zuffa for allegedly “overpaying” for a one-fight Conor Benn deal, Mark Shapiro has pushed back against the skeptics. Shapiro confirmed that all associated costs would be borne by SELA, Turki Alalshikh’s Saudi Arabian-led entertainment company, rather than Zuffa Boxing directly.
“I would also 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,” Shapiro explained. “SELA, led by our excellent partner Turki Alalshikh, is covering the purse. Again, this is exactly what he did for the Canelo-Crawford fight.”
