Eddie Hearn Criticizes PBC Handling of Benavidez, Unmindful of Failing Andrade
Let Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn tell it, the PBC is doing a substandard job of moving two-time super middleweight champion David “Red Flag” Benavidez (25-0, 22 KO’s). In Hearn’s opinion, Benavidez is a fantastic fighter who would love to sign up for the big fights. Unfortunately for him, his fellow boxers are not always as gung-ho to face him.
For example, Red Flag has publicly called for a dustup with undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. Prior to him, Benavidez rigorously sought a fight with Caleb Plant that never materialized. Interestingly, Red Flag would love for his next big fight to come against Hearn-promoted boxer Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (31-0, 19 KO’s).
TRICKY DOUBLE STANDARDS
This is ironic because Hearn has had equal parts trouble securing a big bout for Andrade as the PBC has with Benavidez. In fact, Andrade has been chasing a bout with Canelo for close to ten years, and going on three divisions. Despite suffering from issues that closely mirror his own, Hearn had no problem telling Fight Hub TV that the PBC was dropping the ball.
“I think that Benavidez is a brilliant fighter, but I think they are doing a very bad job of it because who is he fighting? Nobody!
“[…] I believe that David Benavidez wants to be in big fights but they are not delivering that for him.”
INSERT MONEY INTO MOUTH
So, the question has to be asked: if the PBC is doing a terrible job with Benavidez, how does Hearn describe his tenure as Andrade’s promoter? Andrade is a former Olympian, a two-division champion and started his career five years before Red Flag. So, what’s Hearn’s justification for not securing a major bout for the significantly more established Boo Boo?
This is even more so the case because Hearn is also Canelo’s unofficial promoter. Therefore, it would seem, of the two, that Hearn is doing the shabbier job as he can’t make a bout between two of his own fighters. At least there is hope that Andrade and Benavidez will fight one another. Each has expressed interest in dueling the other. Ideally, we shall be getting an update on that dustup in the coming weeks and months. Yet, no matter how the situation plays out, 3Kings Boxing will be there to report the news!
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By: Bakari Simpson
