Eddie Hearn blocked one man from facing Conor Benn before promotional split: “I was trying to get him”

Conor Benn called for several high-profile fights during his time with Matchroom Boxing, but former promoter Eddie Hearn appears to have ruled out one potential in-house clash.

Since Benn’s departure from Matchroom, Hearn has spoken openly about previous discussions surrounding the welterweight’s career, recently claiming that Benn turned down proposed world title fights with Rolando Romero, Lewis Crocker and Josh Kelly.

Now, former IBF and WBC welterweight champ Jaron Ennis has revealed that he pushed for a fight with Benn while both fighters were aligned with Hearn, only for the idea to be dismissed immediately.

Speaking on the All The Smoke Fight Podcast, Ennis said:

“I told Eddie to let me fight him.

“I said that I would fight Conor, he [Hearn] turned around and said ‘absolutely not’. I’m going to get in trouble but he said ‘absolutely not’. I was trying to get him though.”

‘Boots’ Ennis – who the promoter brands ‘the next Terence Crawford – did praise Benn and suggested he has continued to improve in recent outings.

“He is good and I think he is getting better.”

Ennis is currently preparing to challenge Xander Zayas for the unified super-welterweight title next month, with the American aiming to become champion in a second weight class. Should Benn move up to 154lbs in the future, Hearn may be more keen on making the fight happen after their promotional split.

In the meantime, the Brit looks to challenge Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight belt later this year.