Hearn points to activity and boxing’s system as barriers for new entrant
Eddie Hearn says Zuffa Boxing ranks “eighth or ninth” among current promoters, downplaying its position despite early attention around the project. He pointed to activity levels and boxing’s fragmented system as key challenges.
Hearn placed the new venture well down the list when asked about its position, saying it sits “eighth, ninth” among promoters at this stage in an interview with Fight Hub TV. That comment cuts through the early attention around the project and puts it in a competitive context where established outfits remain active year-round.
He pointed to a basic issue. Boxing does not offer the level of control that built the UFC model, and that difference changes how a new entrant operates. Hearn described the people behind Zuffa as being used to controlling their environment, then questioned how that approach translates to a sport where fighters, promoters, and broadcasters all operate independently.
Activity was another part of his argument. Hearn referenced promoters who run shows consistently and build schedules around their fighters, contrasting that with a model that appears to stage events more intermittently. In his view, that kind of approach makes it difficult to move up quickly, especially when others are active across multiple cards and markets.
He also tied the challenge to issues beyond boxing. Hearn suggested that pressures on the UFC side of the business could limit how much attention and resources Zuffa can devote to building a boxing operation, particularly in the early stages.
At the same time, he acknowledged the strength behind the project. The backing, experience, and resources are there, and he expects them to improve over time. The question he raised is how far they can climb in a sport where the leading promoters are already established and operating at full pace.
At the moment, Hearn’s view places Zuffa firmly behind that group, with progress dependent on how quickly it can build activity and adapt to a system it does not control.
