Hearn said the number was presented to his side as a part of negotiations, but he made clear he doesn’t accept it at face value, particularly for a 10-round bout he believes would typically command far less.
“If you wish to get sucked into the undeniable fact that someone would pay $15 million for a 10-round fight, where it’s probably value one million dollars. You might be probably the most important idiot on the planet,” Hearn said to Ariel Helwani.
He added that his team will seek documentation to verify whether the deal was truly structured as a one-fight agreement with no future options attached. Hearn indicated that verifying those details is now a priority, with further motion possible if the terms differ from what was represented.
“If it’s not the reality, there’ll be a significant problem,” Hearn said, referring to the necessity for transparency across the reported figure.
Hearn said the figure was relayed to Matchroom during discussions across the fight, which required them to think about matching the offer. He questioned whether the reported amount reflects a standalone deal or a part of a wider agreement, adding that his team will review the main points once disclosure is provided.
The comments come as Benn’s promotional situation stays under scrutiny following his recent fight, with questions continuing over the structure and value of the agreement that secured his appearance.
