Dana White slams Eddie Hearn but does not deny fight backing out

Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images

Dana White and Eddie Hearn have shared a tense relationship since the UFC president moved into boxing with Zuffa Boxing, immediately placing himself in competition with established promoters.

Their rivalry has played out publicly, with repeated exchanges in interviews and press conferences. At one stage, talk even emerged of the pair settling things in the ring themselves.

That bout is unlikely to materialise, but the tension has remained.

Eddie Hearn calls out Dana White over failed fight

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Hearn directly addressed the speculated bout during the Ben Whittaker vs Braian Suarez post-fight press conference.

“Listen, p——. You called me out, I accepted. Where’s your b— gone, p——? Unfortunately, Dana White backed out of the fight,” the Briton said.

White responded after Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, criticising Hearn heavily but stopping short of denying the claims about the fight.

“Eddie says a lot of dumb s—. I’m getting used to it. Eddie said that me vs him was the biggest fight in boxing, and there lies the problem with boxing.

“And the fact that a fight promoter who has actually put on big fights and has a stable of good fighters would say something that f—— stupid is shocking. You’re a f—— b—. I’m old. We don’t even deserve to be on a card with real fighters.”

Dana White had already taken aim at boxing promoters on Friday

White’s frustration with boxing was already evident earlier in the week.

Speaking to ESPN’s First Take, the 56-year-old businessman criticised the state of the sport and its promoters, making it clear that his issues are not only with Hearn.