Hearn Reveals Big Plans For U.S. Market, Being a Force on HBO

[Ruthless-RKO]

Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport is the top boxing promoter in the UK. On Saturday night, he officially began his anticipated expansion to the American market. Back in the UK, Hearn promotes numerous top fighters, current world champions and signed the majority of the top UK Olympians from the 2012 and 2016 classes.

"I'm not going to make the mistake of signing too many fighters and then not being able to deliver my promises on the dates. We expect to sign a handful of fighters, initially... make sure they are active, make an example of them, give them a wonderful survive and then in time we'll grow. Now I'm looking to do between four and six shows in the U.S. next year.... that's it... in year one, and then we'll see where it takes us," Hearn detailed to BS.com.

Hearn's continued success has been due in part to his exclusive content deal with Sky Sports. Of course the British promoter would love to have the same type of setup with HBO in a few years.

"Probably won't be long that I'm the exclusive provider of content to HBO like I am at Sky. But that might be years down the road. I've got to prove myself in this market. It's not like I'm just going to show up on the East Coast and say 'hey I'm Eddie Hearn, are you all going to come by and buy tickets.' It's not going to work like that. We have to bring something different. We have to make boxing sexy again and we have to make it a night out," Hearn said.

"You've seen it in the UK, time and time again. It's very different, you know. Maybe its a cultural thing. Maybe the Brits just like to go and get drunk, dance around and have a good time. But I believe everyone likes to do that, so why not the Americans as well. Try my shows, see if you like it and grow with us."

[mickey1975]

Must have seen Floyd-Conor PPV numbers and booked the next flight.

[Counter-puncher]

Fair play and good luck to him

I mean that

[greg]

..I'd rather see him expanding on the European continent ..

[keithmoonhangover]

Fair play and good luck to him

I mean that

x2

[TheGingerBomber]

A massive USA vs UK PPV will happen I reckon, Wilder vs Joshua headlining.

As long as he's doing the fans a service, then you can't be sour over this, Jacobs is a good start, his stock is massive after going so close with GGG. I hope he pushes for the Canelo fight. If not, there's always Charlo!

[keithmoonhangover]

I think Big Baby Miller will sign with Hearn.

[TheGingerBomber]

I think Big Baby Miller will sign with Hearn.

Would be a good move, but if we don't see Browne, Whyte, Chisora and Miller in a 4 way tourney, then I'm out.

[Counter-puncher]

Fair play and good luck to him

I mean that

x2

Albeit,it does seem that he thinks he's going to revolutionise boxing promotion in the states, and re-energise boxing fans over there, by hoping they really like to sing along with Sweet Caroline after they've got really drunk...

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Hey, a promoter actually working in the states hasn't been seen in decades. I'm excited, too bad he couldn't have had the reigns of the pbc.

[mickey1975]

If they like sniffing cocaine, a good punch up in the stands, Sweet Caroline and $50 PPV for an NABF fight, Camp Edward can't miss.

[Counter-puncher]

Hey, a promoter actually working in the states hasn't been seen in decades. I'm excited, too bad he couldn't have had the reigns of the pbc.

I know, I just had to smile when I saw him talk about bringing the British atmosphere and everyone liking to dance and have a good time at the boxing. Im just not sure the rest of the world will go quite so mental over Sweet Caroline as we do

Like I say as much as his slick sometimes-bullshit PR style makes me cynical about a lot of what he does, I hope he succeeds in the US and has a positive impact, and I will tip my hat to him if he does

[Fearful_Freddie]

If they like sniffing cocaine, a good punch up in the stands, Sweet Caroline and $50 PPV for an NABF fight, Camp Edward can't miss.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Hey, a promoter actually working in the states hasn't been seen in decades. I'm excited, too bad he couldn't have had the reigns of the pbc.

I know, I just had to smile when I saw him talk about bringing the British atmosphere and everyone liking to dance and have a good time at the boxing. Im just not sure the rest of the world will go quite so mental over Sweet Caroline as we do

Like I say as much as his slick sometimes-bullshit PR style makes me cynical about a lot of what he does, I hope he succeeds in the US and has a positive impact, and I will tip my hat to him if he does

Lol, I didn't see that. He'll be dealing with people that don't give a fornicate.

[tigermoth87]

Ortiz has left matchroom hasn't he? Shame, with Ortiz and Jacobs that'd be a good start for his American Adventure.

[Oiky]

Everyone's got to make £

Fair play to him

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ortiz has left matchroom hasn't he? Shame, with Ortiz and Jacobs that'd be a good start for his American Adventure.

He only signed Ortiz on a fight-by-fight basis

[Taansend]

If they like sniffing cocaine, a good punch up in the stands, Sweet Caroline and $50 PPV for an NABF fight, Camp Edward can't miss.

Americans don't do "punch up in the stands", Mickey.

It would be "firing a gun while ducking down but still firing" in the stands

But seriously folks. It might work in some areas but he's got to pick his venues very carefully. The average white or black Americans ain't really into average boxing matches like British/Irish. Hispanics and Eastern European communities in the US seem to be more into it though.

But I'm sure he knows more than I do though.

Best of luck to him. If he needs advice he only has to reach out to Taansend.

[KiwiRider]

A massive USA vs UK PPV will happen I reckon, Wilder vs Joshua headlining.

As long as he's doing the fans a service, then you can't be sour over this, Jacobs is a good start, his stock is massive after going so close with GGG. I hope he pushes for the Canelo fight. If not, there's always Charlo!

I think he can also do well with the Irish NY thing. Bring Irish fighters to New York to face American blokes. They did something like that this year and it was successful. Eddie could do it better IMO. I don't understand why that is a 'thing', maybe someone could explain. But it puts bums on seats.

[lefty]

I think he'll find the US market a lot harder to crack. UK boxing fans are more tribal in nature. The fact that he's saying he wants to hold a monopoly (eventually) over the boxing output that HBO puts out is a little worrisome. A monopoly is never a good thing for the quality of a product or service.

It will be interesting to see whether he actually lives out in the US for this adventure or stays based in the UK. If he can legitimately improve boxing's popularity in the US though, good luck to him

[ElJefe]

Will be interesting to see how he does without the 24/7 PR machine that is Sky Sports behind him. Hope he succeeds.

[3132DW]

I think he'll find the US market a lot harder to crack. UK boxing fans are more tribal in nature. The fact that he's saying he wants to hold a monopoly (eventually) over the boxing output that HBO puts out is a little worrisome. A monopoly is never a good thing for the quality of a product or service.

It will be interesting to see whether he actually lives out in the US for this adventure or stays based in the UK. If he can legitimately improve boxing's popularity in the US though, good luck to him

They were looking at offices in NY and for someone to head up their operation so don't think Eddie is going to switch to the US permanent.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I think he'll find the US market a lot harder to crack. UK boxing fans are more tribal in nature. The fact that he's saying he wants to hold a monopoly (eventually) over the boxing output that HBO puts out is a little worrisome. A monopoly is never a good thing for the quality of a product or service.

It will be interesting to see whether he actually lives out in the US for this adventure or stays based in the UK. If he can legitimately improve boxing's popularity in the US though, good luck to him

A monopoly is exactly what boxing needs.

[coneye]

If he can deliver the big fights ,at the right prices he'll probably do well or at least just has good has the promotors thev'e got ,, But the yanks are a different mindset The same sort of yobbish stick it up your nose , get pissed , go with a gang teamed up and pinch someone elses seats , won't work there ,
..From my experience and its only my experience , sport is more familly orientated , if you want to attract the yobbish element there be careful what you wish for , thugs in the states are more dangerous than thugs in Britain , , In the uk Thugs get coked up , get boozed up and only cause trouble when theve got a dozen mates with them to stick the boot in from behind
,, Thugs in america , just shoot ya ,

[mickey1975]

If he can deliver the big fights ,at the right prices he'll probably do well or at least just has good has the promotors thev'e got ,, But the yanks are a different mindset The same sort of yobbish stick it up your nose , get pissed , go with a gang teamed up and pinch someone elses seats , won't work there ,
..From my experience and its only my experience , sport is more familly orientated , if you want to attract the yobbish element there be careful what you wish for , thugs in the states are more dangerous than thugs in Britain , , In the uk Thugs get coked up , get boozed up and only cause trouble when theve got a dozen mates with them to stick the boot in from behind
,, Thugs in america , just shoot ya ,

No they wouldn't, you make it sound like the Wild West. How many get shot dead at boxing shows in America each year?