The Matchroom Boxing chairman had some strong words for the UFC’s treatment of Tom Aspinall days before announcing a cope with the heavyweight star.
Thursday saw the most recent chapter within the clash of boxing promoters emerge, as Eddie Hearn signed Aspinall to his talent agency.
The move comes after Dana White signed Conor Benn to Zuffa Boxing, poaching certainly one of Matchroom’s leading stars in a one-fight deal price $15 million.
White and Hearn have since been going backwards and forwards during interviews, and the British promoter landed the most recent blow by striking a cope with a top UFC champion.
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Eddie Hearn scolded how Dana White and the UFC have treated Tom Aspinall
While the announcement of Aspinall joining the Matchroom Talent Agency continues the feud between Hearn and White, it also demonstrates the UFC heavyweight champion’s frustration together with his situation.
Aspinall voiced his displeasure with White’s response to his no-contest in Abu Dhabi last October. The Englishman was unable to proceed after being poked in each eyes by Ciryl Gane.
The damage was so severe that Aspinall needed to undergo double eye surgery to repair potentially life-changing injuries. With that in mind, he was not pleased with the UFC president’s unsympathetic response to how the fight concluded and his description that Aspinall opted to not fight.
Those remarks also irked Hearn, who mentioned the promotion’s treatment of its heavyweight king while sending a warning to Benn during an interview with The Stomping Ground.
“In case you’re a UFC fighter, you’re this Zuffa, going, ‘I’m being absolutely ripped off here. I’m generating more revenue than these guys, and I’m getting a tenth of the cash.’
“There’s no loyalty in that game. Take a look at Aspinall. He got his eyes gouged out and he just gets humiliated by the UFC.
“They principally told everyone he’s a liar and he’s a p—-y. It is a cutthroat business.”
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What does Tom Aspinall’s cope with Eddie Hearn mean?
Many are looking for clarification on the terms of Aspinall’s agreement with Hearn, with some struggling to distinguish between Matchroom Boxing and the Matchroom Talent Agency.
Aspinall stays under contract with the UFC and there’s been no suggestion that he is instantly seeking to cross over to boxing.
The UFC star’s cope with Matchroom Talent Agency is strictly to do with business.
Aspinall has signed a business and advisory deal, meaning Hearn and his team will probably be handling the heavyweight champ’s business dealings inside and out of doors of fighting.