Eddie Hearn says he’s not sure that his Matchroom company will be in direct competition with Turki Alalshikh and Dana White’s new endeavor.
Following this week’s big news regarding Turki Alalshikh partnering with TKO Group to form a new boxing promotional business that will have some sort of league format, there’s been a lot of speculation as what this could mean for existing promoters and sanctioning bodies within the sport. As one of the world’s biggest promoters, Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn gives his immediate reaction to the news and explains why he doesn’t see this as a doom and gloom situation for his company.
Hearn on his reaction to the new league being started by Alalshikh and TKO Group
“Well, we’ve known about for — I think it’s been about a year since the conversations have started. Last three months we’ve just been kind of waiting for [the announcement] really. I think there’s a couple of comments from [Alalshikh] and Dana White that probably rattled a few feathers and cages of the boxing promotional and governing body world.
“For me, I’m pretty chilled, really. It’s very exciting. I think that any time that someone like Dana White and TKO want to move into the sport it shows you where the sport’s at. I disagree with Dana and Turki that boxing is broken. I think actually boxing is in a great place. It’s always been in a great place but it has peaks and troughs. Boxing has always been hot but [Alalshikh] has come in shaking it up and made it much hotter.
“There’s another level I think we can go. Does that come from a league structure? Maybe. I mean, look, TKO have got the ESPN contract from Top Rank it looks like, which is a big plus for them and they’ve got a huge business and promotional voice. So, yeah, I want to see more about the league. I don’t know if we’re involved or whatever but I do know we’ve got a great relationship with Dana.
“We have a huge business. We have over 35 shows a year globally and huge TV contracts so we were fine before Riyadh Season and we’ll be fine after Riyadh Season, but what we love is Riyadh Season. I love working with [Alalshikh] and I love the opportunities it’s delivering for the fighters in the sport.”
On if he’s expecting the league to whittle down the numerous world titles to one belt per weight class
“From Dana’s comments that seems to be the way that it goes. This has been talked about for a long time. One belt in boxing, etc., is not really like revolutionary, it’s been discussed many times. To be fair, there hasn’t been the financial firepower that we’re seeing now to potentially make that happen. I wouldn’t underestimate the value of the world championship belt, the four belts, to a fighter — the legacy, the history that comes with it, and the fact that their heroes had those belts around their waists.
“And sometimes when there’s one champion other people don’t really get the opportunity to fight for a world championship belt…It’s going to be really interesting.”
On the concern from promoters and governing bodies that they could be pushed out of the business
“A lof of people’s ears were pricked up by the comments that were made [about their intent to crush the competition]. But when you have a solid business and you believe in yourself then — I haven’t really thought much about it, to be honest with you. We got a big business, I believe I’m the best boxing promoter in the world, I’ve got loads of energy, I’m up for any challenge that presents itself. I don’t see this as a collision course between us and Dana and Turki, I see this as another layer of the expansion of boxing and one we’re up for supporting.”
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