“But I just don’t know who they’re going to put him in with because Zuffa are paying like, as a business, they’re paying these guys five times more than anyone else would pay them to fight who?” said Hearn during a media scrum.

“What, you’re going to put Shakur in with O’Shaquie Foster and give him $15 million?!

“It’s a weird, weird model and it’s not going to last very long.”

Hearn’s remarks focused less on Shakur himself and more on the economics behind Zuffa’s reported spending. The former WBC lightweight champion recently committed his future to the promotion, ending any possibility of Matchroom pursuing future bouts involving Stevenson.

Hearn suggested the issue is not attracting talent but maintaining a business structure built around purses that significantly exceed the rest of the boxing market.

The Matchroom boss also took aim at Zuffa’s first six months in boxing, questioning the company’s progress since launching the venture alongside Dana White and Turki Alalshikh.

“This thing is f—in’ hilarious. ‘Just look at my body of work.’ What is the body of work?” said Hearn.

“Do you know what month it is, today? June. We’re six months in. We’re halfway through the year. Can anybody tell me what Zuffa has done in the first half of the year?

“So far the body of work should be in a f—in’ body bag, it’s that bad.”

Zuffa has already secured several high-profile signings, including Stevenson, but Hearn remains unconvinced the promotion’s spending approach can be maintained over the long haul.