Promoter Eddie Hearn recently spoke to Boxing Social. The man behind Matchroom Boxing discussed a number of topics during his time with Social, including how he hopes to bring boxing back to the UK in the next few months.
It was recently decided that boxing could not continue in the United Kingdom due to the constraints on the NHS. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a number of top sporting events to either be cancelled or pushed back, with boxing falling victim to the situation.
The UK has however stated that ‘elite’ sport will be continuing in the United Kingdom, with the likes of the Premier League and EFL still having matches behind closed doors weekly. Whilst Eddie Hearn is conscious of the fact that the NHS is the priority for the country, he states that he hopes that boxing can return as soon as possible.
Eddie Hearn on UK Boxing
“We can’t ignore that the government has said that Elite sport can continue, so we have to continue” Eddie Hearn began. “And, I have a schedule of five fight nights that are absolutely fantastic that are pretty much ready to go. You’ll get an announcement for those within the next 48 hours. We’re coming back with a f*cking almighty bang to be honest with you and we’re going for it.”
“We are not out of the woods” Hearn continued. “We’re gonna be losing even more money, because we’re gonna have to be making these big fights with no gate, again. But what else can you do? I’m not prepared to just come back with something small, like one show in February and just wait. We have to come out firing.”
Eddie Hearn would finish by outlining how Matchroom looks to expand into 2021. “The plan for us is that 2021 is the year that Matchroom dominate globally. So in that respect, in our key market, which is the UK? We have to come out firing. When you see the schedule next week hopefully [the fans] will agree with that. Hopefully that will come with the blessing of the boxing board of control in the next day or two.”
You can check out the full interview below:
