Eddie Hearn has been accused of losing the Jaron Ennis purse bid to get Conor Benn positioned for the IBF welterweight title.
The man making the substantial claims is Brian Norman Sr., whose son Brian Jr. recently missed out on a unification with Ennis. Hearn had refused to pay an extra $300,000 to Norman for the fight but, in a twist, then dropped the IBF mandatory purse bid to control the forthcoming November Ennis event in Philadelphia by the same amount.
Norman believes this whole scenario was deliberate by Hearn to get Benn positioned to fight for the vacant title. He claimed, “Plot twist. Eddie Hearn used Boots to get Conor Benn in position to get that MF [IBF] title. He will convince Boots to go to 154, and Conor Benn will be the champion at 147. Watch what I tell you!”
Benn recently landed back in the IBF Rankings at number three, with all other major sanctioning bodies also rating the Briton. This new positioning means Benn is in a prime position to face Karen Chukhadzhian, whose team, P2M Box Promotions, won the purse bid to control the next IBF title contest. ‘The Destroyer’ will potentially have to travel and adhere to whatever P2M stipulates unless the IBF calls a fresh purse bid for the contest.
Whatever the situation, Norman Sr.’s disturbing claims against a promoter he says is playing the system need to be raised once the situation transpires. Questions need to be asked about whether Hearn had the best interests of Ennis at heart or whether he favored Benn over the champion.
An offer is reportedly already on the table for Ennis to battle Charles Conwell at 154 pounds. If accepted, Chukhadzhian and Benn are free to compete for the vacant championship.
Whether right or wrong, Benn looks to be close to being the favorite in a world title fight despite being out of the sport for two years due to failed drug tests. Benn has fought twice after two adverse findings due to an appeal process in the United Kingdom, which allows any fighter who tests positive to compete even when they have failed.
There have been loud calls for a change in the system since Benn’s high-profile case.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
