Eddie Hearn, a prominent boxing promoter, discusses various topics in a YouTube video. He talks about Wayne Rooney's potential fight against Jake Paul and the pay difference between them. Hearn also addresses criticism about his privileged background. He shares insights on product placement, fashion choices, and personal anecdotes. Hearn discusses his life as a boxing promoter, the influence of his father, and the rise of YouTube fighters in professional boxing. He reflects on the prospect of a fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, highlighting the obstacles and frustrations involved in the negotiation process. Hearn praises Katie Taylor's trailblazing in women's boxing and discusses the lack of support systems for professional boxers. He also talks about Anthony Joshua's defeat to Oleksandr Usyk and shares a story about promoting a fight between Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora. Hearn emphasizes the positive impact of boxing clubs in the community and mentions his nearly signing Tyson Fury. He discusses Anthony Joshua's career and his regret in not signing Fury. Hearn also talks about losing £1 million on a fight and his relationship with his father.
Intro
Eddie Hearn discusses Wayne Rooney's potential fight against Jake Paul, the pay difference between them, and a person named Dora who criticizes Hearn.
- Hearn talks about Rooney's interest in fighting Paul
- He mentions the significant pay gap between Rooney and Paul
- Hearn addresses criticism from Dora about his privileged background
Behind The Scenes
Behind The Scenes: Eddie Hearn shares insights on product placement, fashion choices, and personal anecdotes, including his daughter's birthday and a conversation with Roy Keane about football.
- Eddie Hearn discusses behind-the-scenes moments
- Insights on product placement and fashion choices
- Personal anecdotes, including his daughter's birthday
- Conversation with Roy Keane about football
Gary’s introduction
Eddie Hearn is the managing director of Matchroom Sport and a prominent boxing promoter. He is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Matchroom Sport and organizing boxing events.
Life as a Boxing promoter
Life as a boxing promoter involves constant travel and the goal of creating an international brand. Eddie Hearn, a prominent boxing promoter, has built a global business with 40 employees traveling worldwide for shows. His passion for boxing comes from his upbringing and his father's involvement in the sport. Despite not aspiring to be a promoter initially, Hearn embraced the role when he realized he lacked the skills to be a professional athlete.
Eddie’s father Barry and his influence
Eddie Hearn's father, Barry, had a significant influence on him. Despite boxing not being his biggest passion, Eddie felt a responsibility to follow his father's legacy in sport. He witnessed the aggravation that boxing brought to his father, especially with the rise of social media. Eddie acknowledges the negative impact of social media on the boxing industry.
Competing with YouTube fighters
The rise of YouTube fighters poses a threat to professional boxing, attracting a large audience but lacking in skill. Eddie Hearn, a boxing promoter, acknowledges the discontent among professional boxers but believes YouTube fighters have earned their place in the sport due to their popularity. Hearn also discusses the success of promoting the KSI vs Logan Paul fight and the potential of streaming platforms like DAZN.
- YouTube fighters are a threat to professional boxing due to their large audience
- Eddie Hearn acknowledges the discontent among professional boxers
- YouTube fighters have earned their place in the sport due to their popularity
- Eddie Hearn discusses the success of promoting the KSI vs Logan Paul fight
- Streaming platforms like DAZN have potential as a global destination for sports.
On DAZN
The changing landscape of content consumption and the importance of streaming in boxing, as discussed by Eddie Hearn. Key points include:
- Reflection on Anthony Joshua's career and the devastating loss to Andy Ruiz Jr.
- The story of finding a replacement opponent for Joshua after Jarrell Miller's failed drug tests.
- Choosing Ruiz despite Don King's warning.
- Hearn's personal connection to Joshua and the emotional impact of the loss.
- The business of boxing and its lack of barriers to entry, leading to a crowded market.
Boxing as a business
The business of boxing is discussed in this video, highlighting the lack of regulation and the challenges of dealing with various individuals involved in the industry. Eddie Hearn shares his success in taking over the boxing scene in England and his motivation for entering the business. He also addresses the frustration of fans regarding the lack of big fights and suggests multiple reasons for these fights not happening.
Key points:
- Lack of regulation in the boxing industry allows anyone to enter without proper qualifications
- Dealing with fighters, trainers, managers, advisers, and lawyers poses challenges
- Eddie Hearn secured all the dates from other promoters to dominate the boxing scene in England
- His motivation for success and his father's influence on his approach to the business
- Frustration of fans regarding the lack of big fights like Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury
- Multiple reasons for these fights not happening
Prospect of Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury
The prospect of a fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is discussed by Eddie Hearn, who highlights the main obstacles as the fighters' preferences and the broadcast situation. Despite financial aspects, Hearn believes the fight will likely happen if both fighters want it. He emphasizes the complexities of boxing deals and the need for compromises. However, Hearn expresses frustration with the negotiation process and egos involved, potentially causing fans to miss out on the fight. He mentions past experiences where personal animosity hindered progress and concludes that the constant talk without action is irritating and may lead to public disinterest.
- Main obstacles: fighters' preferences and broadcast situation
- Fury's changing split demands
- Hearn's belief in the fight happening if both fighters want it
- Complexities of boxing deals and need for compromises
- Frustration with negotiation process and egos involved
- Potential for fans to miss out on the fight
- Past experiences with personal animosity hindering progress
- Constant talk without action leading to public disinterest.
Hearn on Katie Taylor’s trailblazing
Katie Taylor's trailblazing in women's boxing is highlighted by Eddie Hearn, who discusses her commercial success and the pay disparity between male and female fighters. Taylor's determination and fight for women's boxing in the Olympics is praised, along with her refusal of endorsements to stay focused on her sport. Hearn also emphasizes the need for a sustainable business model in boxing promotions.
How to protect professional boxers
Boxing lacks necessary support systems to protect professional boxers, such as unions and financial advisors. Managers and promoters often prioritize their own interests over the well-being of the fighters. However, with the right team and good people around, boxers can be properly looked after. Setting up a union for boxers could provide the necessary protection, but it should not be solely the responsibility of promoters. Eddie Hearn suggests that the boxing board of control should play a role similar to player unions in other sports, ensuring fair contracts and earnings for boxers. Emotional support and aftercare for fighters after retirement is also crucial.
Anthony Joshua’s defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
Eddie Hearn discusses Anthony Joshua's defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, highlighting Joshua's emotional state and the importance of aftercare for boxers. He also explores the psychology of fighters and the unique nature of boxing as a sport, using Derek Chisora as an example.
Promoting Derek Chisora v Dillian Whyte
Promoter Eddie Hearn shares a story about negotiating the fight between Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora, where Chisora initially didn't want pay-per-view money but later changed his mind. At the press conference, Chisora demanded his share of the pay-per-view money and a Rolex watch. Hearn agreed to buy him the watch if the fight reached 300,000 pay-per-view buyers. Tensions escalated when Chisora and Whyte got into a physical altercation during a face-off, leading to a heated incident that almost called off the fight. However, Hearn convinced the boxing board to proceed, and Chisora eventually won the fight. As a reward, Hearn gave him the promised watch. Hearn also discusses his own brief boxing experience and emphasizes the positive impact of sports on children's lives.
- Chisora initially didn't want pay-per-view money but later changed his mind
- Chisora demanded his share of the pay-per-view money and a Rolex watch at the press conference
- Hearn agreed to buy him the watch if the fight reached 300,000 pay-per-view buyers
- Tensions escalated when Chisora and Whyte got into a physical altercation during a face-off
- The incident almost called off the fight, but Hearn convinced the boxing board to proceed
- Chisora eventually won the fight and was rewarded with the promised watch
- Hearn discusses his own brief boxing experience and the positive impact of sports on children's lives.
Boxing in the community
Boxing clubs in the community have a positive impact on kids, keeping them out of trouble and channeling their energy in a positive way. Eddie Hearn emphasizes the dedication of coaches and volunteers who work tirelessly without pay. He shares his own experience of training in football and the discipline it instilled in him. Eddie Hearn also discusses the possibility of signing Tyson Fury and talks about Wayne Rooney's potential in boxing. The idea of organizing a charity boxing night is mentioned.
Nearly signing Tyson Fury
Eddie Hearn nearly signed Tyson Fury, but was hesitant due to Fury's physical condition and demanding fight schedule. Despite this, Hearn acknowledges Fury's incredible comeback and unique boxing abilities. He believes a fight between Fury and Joshua is inevitable.
- Eddie Hearn had a close encounter with signing Tyson Fury, but had concerns about his physical condition and fight schedule.
- Hearn believes a fight between Fury and Joshua needs to happen, regardless of potential losses for both fighters.
- Hearn expresses confidence in Joshua's ability to defeat Deontay Wilder and Fury, but acknowledges Fury's chance of winning due to his size and boxing intelligence.
- Hearn shares a personal story of meeting Fury in Las Vegas and discussing boxing for an hour.
- Hearn admits that representing both Fury and Joshua would be challenging due to their rivalry.
Anthony Joshua’s career
Anthony Joshua's career has been marked by his early victories, including an Olympic gold medal and a world championship silver. He has evolved as a fighter, becoming more technically skilled and less aggressive. Potential future fights between Joshua, Deontay Wilder, and Tyson Fury are speculated, with a Joshua-Fury match being touted as the biggest of all time. However, Fury's willingness to fight Joshua remains uncertain, as he may choose to retire or face other opponents. The influence of money in the sport is acknowledged, impacting the likelihood of certain fights. Eddie Hearn, a boxing promoter, reveals his regret in not signing Tyson Fury and highlights the financial gains that fighters prioritize.
Hearn’s biggest regret
Eddie Hearn's biggest regret is not signing Tyson Fury.
Key points:
- Hearn's company, Matchroom Boxing, is investing more money in testing and getting more adverse findings.
- The increase in adverse findings is due to their rigorous testing program, including random testing before fights.
- Hearn believes there is a lack of education for fighters regarding banned substances and the need for more awareness in the sport.
- Hearn also mentions rumors of doping in football during his playing days.
Losing £1m on a fight
Eddie Hearn loses £1 million on a fight due to overspending and underestimating the commercial value of Vasil Lomachenko. Hearn's ego played a role in this costly mistake. He also talks about his experience with legendary promoter Don King and highlights King's aggressive marketing tactics.
Eddie’s relationship with father Barry
Eddie Hearn's relationship with his father Barry is characterized by a strong work ethic and a focus on sports. Barry instilled in Eddie the importance of hard work and avoiding complacency. He pushed Eddie to excel and always strive for victory.
Family life with daughters Isabella and Sophia
- The world has changed a lot, as seen in a silent game during his daughter's soccer match
- Adapting to new parenting styles, where everyone gets a chance to play instead of focusing on winning
- Influence of successful parents on their children's competitiveness, using Frank Lampard as an example
- Hearn's connection to football through owning Leyton Orient and having a season ticket at Tottenham