Promoter Eddie Hearn is usually in the news for talking about his own fighters, but this week he’s received backlash from some in the boxing world for predicting a match-up he has no stake in.
Hearn answered a simple question recently – how does he see a bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder playing out? The promoter said, in his opinion, Wilder doesn’t win a round in the fight, although he did go on to say that the American’s knockout power is forever a threat.
We all make predictions, don’t we? It’s just an opinion, right? Wrong. A few big names in boxing took issue with how he sees it going. First up was promoter Lou DiBella, who offered his own prediction to counteract Hearn’s.
“Won’t matter if Wilder lands the one punch that knocks Usyk out. And he likely would. Like he would likely knock Joshua out. In fact, Hearn might be right until the knockout punch … but does it matter? Respect the puncher.”
Won’t matter if Wilder lands the one punch that knocks Usyk out. And he likely would. Like he would likely knock Joshua out. In fact, Hearn might be right until the knockout punch … but does it matter? Respect the puncher. #boxinghttps://t.co/mwcacWOteR
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) September 20, 2022
Andre Ward entered the chat – backing his fellow American to do better.
“[Yeah], right! That right hand is going to land at some point. Rounds will be won by Wilder.”
Yea, right ! That right hand is going to land at some point. Rounds will be won by Wilder. https://t.co/T8mEN1DQOp
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) September 19, 2022
Those two takes were tame in comparison to Claressa Shields though, who took the chance to double up on the criticism and berate Hearn for picking her to lose in her upcoming fight against Savannah Marshall.
“I wish this man would stfu, he don’t know sh*t about boxing! First I’ll get KO’d by Marshall then Wilder won’t win a round against Usyk! This dude foolish!!!!”
I wish this man would stfu, he don’t know shit about boxing! First I’ll get KO’d by Marshall then Wilder won’t win a round against Usyk! This dude foolish !!!! https://t.co/uEInqUByEH
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) September 19, 2022
As far as fight predictions go, this one probably wasn’t worth it for the Matchroom promoter.
The subject came about because Usyk, apparently unlikely to fight Tyson Fury for the undisputed Heavyweight Champion tag, said he would be interested in facing ‘The Bronze Bomber’ instead.
Before talk of what’s next, Wilder has to come through a game Robert Helenius on October 15. Then, perhaps we’ll see whose prediction was on the money.