Eddie Hearn believes Nigel Benn has been left ‘bitterly disappointed’ by his son’s decision to join forces with Dana White.Conor Benn shocked the boxing world last month when he announced his departure from Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing to team up with his former promoter’s rival White.Benn faces Regis Prograis in his first fight representing White, with the contract reportedly worth $15mInstagram @zuffaboxingHearn and White have been at each other’s throats ever since the latter began his new endeavour into the sweet science through Saudi-backed promotion Zuffa Boxing.After admitting Benn’s decision to leave Matchroom left him devastated, Hearn retaliated by welcoming UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to his newly-launched Matchroom Talent Agency this week.Hearn says the move to become Aspinall’s manager has nothing to do with Benn’s Zuffa Boxing switch, although fans have accused the UFC champion of being a pawn in the war of the promoters.Following the news of his departure, the Matchroom boss claimed Benn rejected the chance to discuss his future on a phone call, instead finding out through an email from the boxer’s lawyer.He joined talkSPORT’s Drive show with Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent on Friday and was asked if he’s had any discussions with Benn since.Hear me out“I’ve not heard from Conor Benn,” Hearn responded.“No, I mean, that ship has sailed. I guess he doesn’t want to have that conversation.“He’s not someone that likes confronting things head-on, clearly and I think right now he’s much less likely to have a conversation than he would have done when it was all kicking off.“So, honestly, after a couple of days of getting this news, you’re very disappointed and you live and learn.“Then, you move on to the next problem in boxing, which comes at you thick and fast. So, yeah, not had any conversation with Conor Benn.”Hearn said the ship has sailed with Benn and he’s not had any conversations with the British boxer since his departureGettyThe Matchroom boss believes Nigel, left, has been left disappointed by his son’s moveGettyWhen pressed on whether he’s even had time to speak with Benn’s legendary boxing father Nigel, Hearn added: “No, nothing.“Nigel hasn’t posted about the fight. Nigel’s not talked about the deal and I would think Nigel’s bitterly disappointed.“He’s an old school guy with tremendous values and I would think, I’m not going to talk on his behalf because it’s his son, but I know what Nigel will be thinking about the situation.“But listen, each to their own and you live and you learn.”Nigel was by his son’s side for both of his blockbuster fights with Chris Eubank Jr in 2024 and 2025.Benn lost the first meeting via unanimous decision, but exacted revenge in the rematch last November.Boxing scheduleFor all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s boxing schedule.The 29-year-old is now set to fight American Regis Prograis on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov next month.Hearn has big plans for AspinallHearn, meanwhile, is fully focused on making Aspinall the biggest star in the UFC now that he’s looking after the heavyweight’s business inside and outside the Octagon.While the deal is purely on a management basis and White has admitted he isn’t bothered by Aspinall’s partnership with Hearn, the move is a definitive dig at his rival promoter.It has also allowed the 46-year-old to move on from the hurt of Benn leaving his side.Hearn told talkSPORT at the Matchroom Talent Agency unveiling in London on Friday that the ‘timing and narrative’ of the Aspinall announcement blows up the champion’s profile immensely.He plans to increase Aspinall’s starpower and says the fighter’s profile is bigger than it has ever been.Aspinall was also present at Battersea Power Station for the press conference and admitted to talkSPORT that he’s only spoken to UFC CEO White once in his life, albeit UFC CBO Hunter Campbell handles fight negotiations for the promotion.The 32-year-old didn’t want anyone representing him other than his father, Andy, at first and wasn’t on board with the idea of partnering with Hearn until conversations with the Matchroom boss changed his mind.