Promoter Eddie Hearn says Sky Sports and Boxxer doubled Matchroom Boxing’s offer to sign Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Ben Whittaker to a pro deal.
Whittaker, who won medals at the European Games, World Championships and Olympic Games as an amateur, has been hot property since announcing his intention to turn professional.
The Daily Star’s Chris McKenna broke news last week that the 258 Management-guided Whittaker was now set to sign a seven-figure deal with Sky Sports and Boxxer after several offers from leading promoters.
Eddie Hearn says Matchroom Boxing made their offer, but simply could not match the final contract offered by Sky Sports in their pursuit of the Team GB star.
“I believe so [he’s signing with Sky]. I saw the offer – Jesus christ,” Hearn told Boxing Social’s Andi Purewal. “The offer was twice what we were prepared to pay. Ben knows what we could deliver for him worldwide, but the money is crazy, so good luck to him.
“Everybody wants to sign with us. Their management companies will say, ‘This is the offer – can you match it?’. You have to look at the value of the fighter, and Ben’s a great fighter, but the final offer from Sky was literally twice as much. Just take it. I think it’s a short term deal anyway.
“He’s a good fighter, good platform for them, but we have to get the business right, otherwise there’s no long-term sustainability.”
Click here to watch the full Eddie Hearn interview.
Image: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing