Eddie Hearn Defends Al Haymon on Spence v Crawford Negotiations
The boxing community is still reeling from not getting the undisputed showdown between unified champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (28-0, 22KO) and WBO champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (38-0, 29KO). Fans quickly went into the blame game mode. Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn believes Premier Boxing Champions boss Al Haymon is in the right, in this situation.
Whenever a big fight falls apart, it is natural for a scapegoat to be named. The situation between The Truth and Bud’s November showdown cancellation is no different. Crawford will face fringe contender David Avanesyan in December. Spence Jr is possibly going to fight former unified champion Keith “One Time” Thurman.
EDDIE HEARN EXPLAINS THE INS AND OUTS
During an interview with Fight Hub TV, Hearn explained why Haymon was right not to offer Crawford a guarantee.
“I have a little bit of sympathy with Al in the Spence/Crawford fight because the fight is not as big as people think it is . . . You have to understand – whatever you think of me, whatever you think of Al Haymon, we do know the business and the numbers like the back of our hand. We do this all the time.”
“We know that if you’re setting a line on a guarantee, you set that line at 350 or 400 thousand buys . . . it doesn’t mean that’s the number Al is comfortable with. But, ultimately, when a fight’s big enough, the fighters don’t really need a guarantee and they don’t really ask for one.”
AL HAYMON IS NOT AT FAULT
Hearn acknowledged PBC and Stephen Espinoza (Showtime Director of Sports) can be a roadblock in certain circumstances. However, he is not looking to blame either entity in this situation.
“In the instance of Terence Crawford and I don’t think that’s PBC’s fault . . . Al Haymon is doing the right thing for his business, which is not putting a guarantee up, because he doesn’t have the confidence in that fight.”
By: Garrisson Bland
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