Eddie Hearn has shared his view on Conor Benn‘s performance against Ryan Garcia on Saturday.
Benn came up short in his maiden world title bid as he was stopped inside two rounds by WBC welterweight champion Garcia at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
It was Benn’s second fight under the Zuffa Boxing banner, after his shock split with long-term promoter Hearn, and the Matchroom Boxing chief told IFL TV that he thought his former fighter looked ‘lost’ against Garcia.
“I’ve been around Conor Benn his whole career and know him pretty well, and I just felt he looked lost. Maybe it was the weight. I don’t know if it was his confidence but he looked lost. In the ring he looked all over the place, jumping around, diving in, and he looked like a rabbit in the headlights.”
Despite their well-publicised split, Hearn did go on to sympathise with Benn, insisting that it isn’t the time for fans to start sticking the boot in.
“I’ve got more reasons than most to throw him to the wolves, but I don’t think there is any need to, look at what he’s done. People will get on his back now and say ‘he’s useless, he couldn’t win a British title, who has he ever beat?’ They might be right but he’s done it.
“I’m not going to sit here now and say he was never any good, because I do think he’s a good fighter and I think he has improved so much, so he deserves a lot of credit for how hard he’s worked to get into that position.”
It’s currently unknown what Benn plans to do next, having released a statement saying he is currently focused on spending time with his family.
