Eddie Hearn has hit back at critics of Matchroom and broadcast partner, DAZN, by urging fans to compare track records.
The departure from Sky Sports to team up with DAZN was a bold move for the promotional company headed by Hearn, and they’ve marked it by taking the show on the road to focus on a global output rather than just the domestic scene.
There has been criticism from fans about the streaming service introduced pay-per-view shows on top of their monthly fee, however that’s not something Hearn controls directly.
As far as he’s concerned, he’s done his job and done it well. He responded to any criticism via iD Boxing.
“We never spread ourselves thin. I mean last week we did Dillian Whyte against Jermaine Franklin. Every fight of Dillian Whyte’s has been pay-per-view. All of a sudden it’s not – it’s part of your monthly subscription. Fabio Wardley against Nathan Gorman. Sandy Ryan in a big fight. I know we lost Richards – Bolotniks. This week we’re doing Chocolatito vs Estrada 3 … Great card. Two weeks before we were in Abu Dhabu doing Bivol against Ramirez.”
The promoter pointed to his old broadcast partner and their most recent output – a card headlined by Adam Azim and Rylan Charlton – to highlight his work.
“I watched the Sky show from Alexandra Palace. Mate, if I put that show on I would be absolutely crucified. Crucified. But that’s not the comparison is it? Our comparison is much different.”
He went on to say that Matchroom and DAZN were on a different level to his presumed rivals.
“What we’re doing is we’re putting a global schedule together because we’re a global business and we’re doing something that’s never been done before.”
“No one’s doing that. And I feel like we never really get the credit. I’m not begging for it. It’s nice sometimes. But just compare other fights, other shows, other productions, other cards – they’re not in the same league.”
In a second interview, Hearn responded directly to Bob Arum’s recent outburst. The Top Rank Founder claimed his UK promotional rival was ‘a joke’ in the US and had blown a huge budget with nothing to show for it.
Once again, Hearn made his point by comparing the two.
“I think Top Rank are finished in America. I mean I haven’t seen anything they’ve done this year that’s impressed me at all. They’re hiring out small arenas. Their ESPN numbers are shocking … I think they’ve given up. I think they probably realise that ESPN aren’t going to be renewing their contract … I’m not goading these guys, they’re just coming out with the stick.”
“Top Rank. I don’t know. Top W**k really.”
It’s safe to say there’s no love lost between the promoters, and fans, whilst enjoying the back and forth, can only hope that it doesn’t impact that matchmaking in the sport.