Promoter Eddie Hearn has described Zuffa Boxing’s financial strategy as “suicide” following its landmark signing of Shakur Stevenson. Hearn claims the new entity is drastically overpaying to lure elite fighters away from the traditional world title system, trading legacy for unsustainable financial offers.
The Matchroom chairman questioned the long-term viability of the business model being implemented by Dana White, Nick Khan and Turki Alalshikh. While acknowledging that high spending is a necessary tactic for market entry, he believes Zuffa is paying a significant premium to compensate fighters for stepping away from championship belts. “It’s crazy, but it’s suicide,” Hearn told Fight Hub TV. He compared the strategy to his own company’s early investment with DAZN.
Hearn explained his view on the dynamic. “You can play that game when you try and break into a market. We did it with DAZN. You have to do it because what you’re doing is you’re taking away legacy for the fighter in return for money. The only way you do that is by drastically overpaying them. They’re saying, basically, you can’t fight for belts, you can’t make history, but we’re going to give you a load of money.”
Stevenson’s contract is reportedly a prime example of this approach. Hearn suggested the former multi-division champion received an offer that was impossible to refuse, confirming it was well into eight figures. “I know what Shakur is getting. He’s crazy,” Hearn said.
Despite his criticism of Zuffa’s spending, Hearn did not fault Stevenson for accepting the deal. He stressed that the fighter made a logical choice for his financial future, even if it means pausing his pursuit of undisputed titles. “More than eight figures . Listen, Shakur is an unbelievable fighter, but there’s a value to these guys. By the way, let him make it. I don’t begrudge Shakur Stevenson. I know what legacy means to Shakur, but he’s already got a lot of legacy. I would have liked to see him go on and pick up the other belts, but he’s obviously got an opportunity that was too good to turn down. Good luck to him. It’s a tough sport. Let him go and earn his money.”
