Is Eddie Hearn Outworking US Promoters From Overseas?
There is no doubt that Eddie Hearn has become a major promotional force while still operating in the UK. Although, there is the undeniable fact that, prior to his entrance in the sport, he inherited a great deal of money, prestige and momentum from his father, Barry Hearn, who actually founded Matchroom Sport. Yet, since storming the US, has he become the apex predator of promoters?
When Hearn initially breached the US market, he was not well-known by the public, had yet to establish any real bonds with any other promotional outfit, was rightfully deemed an outsider and largely expected to fail. True enough, he was supplied by DAZN with a handsome war chest of money to operate with. Although, at least financially speaking, PBC has had access to obscene amounts of money as well.
Despite his original isolation, Hearn has been able to collaborate with essentially all the major promoters, and maintain marketable fights in his native UK while staging significant fights throughout a healthy number of the weight classes here in the states. Not only this, Hearn has in many respects remained at the forefront of consistently pushing female fighters as well. Going a step further, what other promoter operates in the public eye with the consistency of Hearn?
STEP UP TO GET BEAT DOWN
Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions is arguably a fixture in the public eye. Unfortunately though, De La Hoya is frequently in the news for all the wrong reasons. These negative headlines have ranged from prancing around in his underwear, losing nearly all of his marquee fighters, frequently beefing with his past and present major stars, substance abuse problems and an uncomfortable amount sexual assault scandals dating back to the 90’s.
Aside from the Golden Boy, what other US promotional outfit has a current frontman who is half as visible, consistent and vibrant as Hearn? Under his banner, he currently houses significant fighters such as: Alycia Baumgardner, Katie Taylor, Dmitry Bivol, Jesse Rodriguez, Deontay Wilder, Edgar Berlanga, Jaron Ennis, Shakur Stevenson and Anthony Joshua.
Sure, the PBC can rattle off a laundry list of fighters as well, but is that tremendous roster active? Also, when they do compete, how many are in high stakes, meaningful showdowns? In fact, their two biggest fighters, Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, have brazenly fought below their talent level for years now. This is why it is so impressive that in the relatively short time that he’s operated in the states, Hearn has become the powerhouse that he is. So, it really does beg the question: what other promoter in the US is as active and wide-reaching while creating significant fights like Eddie Hearn?
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