Eddie Hearn: “We know the market value, we’re not Muppets”
Golden Boy Promotions is quickly finding themselves in a serious jam and could miss the traditional Cinco De Mayo weekend fight date. It appears that finding a bonafide quality opponent that is worthy of the price of admission is getting harder and harder.
The main reason is obvious: MONEY!
Recently, social media was buzzing when word got around that WBA “Super” Super Middleweight champion Callum “Mundo” Smith (27-0, 19ko), passed on fighting boxing’s mega-star Canelo Alavrez (53-1-2, 36ko).
LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE?
Why would anyone turn down their highest payday? That’s the question many inside the boxing community are wondering about.
DAZN/Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn broke down everything in an interview with iFL TV.
“I’m not going to start slating offers saying it was a lowball offer an stuff like that. We know the market value, we’re not Muppets.
Unfortunately for Golden Boy, that market value has been heavily inflated in the last twelve months; for a variety of reasons. Mainly, there has been a series of new broadcasters coming and investing in the sport.”
The always-vocal promoter would also confirm that WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders was given an offer also and it too was under market value.
“The offers they made, not just to Callum Smith but to Billy Joe Saunders as well, they weren’t good enough.”
Hearn’s next comments were aimed at the ego of Golden Boy head honcho Oscar De La Hoya.
“You think Oscar De La Hoya would have accepted an offer back in the day that he felt didn’t represent the value of him as a fighter? Of course not. So again, we’re not a million miles apart but the offers wasn’t good enough.”
The British promoter made one very vital point that is worth paying close attention too.
“Fighters are getting paid very very well, but you can’t give one world champion X and give other world champions half X. People know what people have been getting.”
MONEY TALKS
This is absolutely correct! In today’s age of social media and internet access, finding out fighters’ purse information is a Google away. When fighters feel they are more accomplished than a previous fighter, they won’t accept being undervalued.
A wise person from Texas would always tell me you have to pay a fighter based off his accomplishments and accolades.
Smith won the World Boxing Super Series tournament and holds both the Ring/WBC diamond title. Meanwhile, stablemate Saunders is a two-divisional champion and a top ten undefeated super middleweight.
These accomplishments hold serious weight and comes with a price tag. The question is will De La Hoya be willing to pay?
By: Garrisson Bland
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