Eddie Hearn will not put Ryan Burnett in with Zolani Tete

[Ruthless-RKO]

Eddie Hearn says he will NOT make the unification fight between IBF/WBA bantamweight champion Ryan Burnett (18-0, 9 KOs) and WBO champion Zolani Tete (26-3, 21 KOs) right now, because it’s a tough fight for Ryan and he wants to secure his financial future before he puts him in a risky fight like that.

Hearn says the Burnett can make the same amount of money making a voluntary defense as he would facing the 29-year-old Tete. Hearn feels that the Tete fight wouldn’t pay Burnett enough money for it to be worth the risk. Hearn wants Burnett to become to become set for life financially before he takes a gamble by putting him in with a guy of Tete’s caliber.

Hearn says the Burnett-Tete fight will eventually happen in the future at some point, but he doesn’t say when. Tete is 29-years-old now.

“That’s not an example of a fight that will secure anyone’s financial future,” said Hearn to Sky Toe To Toe podcast in talking about the Burnett vs. Tete fight. “It’ll be a very tough fight with Tete, who’s an excellent fighter, as is Burnett. It’s an excellent fight. Sooner or later, we’ll have to take it. Ryan Burnett makes the same money fighting a voluntary defense as he does fighting Zolani Tete,” said Hearn.

”Ryan Burnett wants to fight the very best,” said Hearn. ”I will NOT let him fight Zolani Tete for average money; unless we get to a point, like Anthony Joshua, where everything is secure. I want to build Ryan Burnett’s financial legacy. I want to have him have his house all paid off. I want him to leave the sport of boxing, saying, ‘I’ve won world titles, I’ve got my houses, I’m set for the future,’ but we’re not there yet. We’re nowhere near there yet, but let me get there before we gamble for the wrong money. If we’re going to gamble, gamble big. Against Tete, we’re not gambling big. What are we gambling for? Yeah, we’re gambling for respect. We’re gambling for credibility, respect or a belt. In this sport, the fighter has to be [financially secure]. That’s my job. That’s my responsibility,” said Hearn.

”I would not forgive myself if I put a fighter in a fight that difficult for poor money, and we lose it all by just trying to do the right thing for a couple of blokes on the internet,” said Hearn. ”I’m sorry, that’s the truth. Fighters need to be protected from themselves. If it were up to Ryan Burnett, he would fight Zolani Tete, no problem. It’s our job to protect them in the toughest sport of all to make sure we look after these fighters. I’m sorry if it means he has to wait one or two extra fights before we fight Tete.,” said Hearn.

[Ruthless-RKO]

It's funny he compared Burnett to Joshua.

Burnett will never be a PPV figher. God knows what Hearn pays him. He already holds 2 titles. He basically knows that Tete will obliterate Burnett and has admitted this. What's the point in waiting ages for this? They're both world champions. Burnett can win and hold 3 titles. Who really is there for him to fight at Bantamweight.

[tobyh5]

He then also said that Lee Selby had made bad choices when he went with Haymon, saying something about the wrong fights when bigger profile ones were out there, but saying that he had been well paid for them.

Hmmmmm, so when he is in charge the fighter should secure finances first, when someone else in charge they should do profile and legacy first. Riiiiigghhhht

[Oiky]

Eddie don't want tete nowhere near his boy

These sort of things speak for themselves imo, show lack of confidence

[TheGingerBomber]

Can't fault his reason. But I'd be disappointed if they don't fight next year. A voluntary, then Butler, then Tete. Could easily lose before then though, so it's a risk.

[KiwiRider]

There should be a 3rd poll option;
*is Eddie a good promoter?
Yes he is. He mixes truth- Burnett is only young and 18 fights in already with a belt, and he hasn't made much money yet.
What is the best way to make him money?
To dangle a juicy fight in front of fans, then take it away. He didn't say never, he said not now. How many US fighters have a belt at 18-0? Most are still fighting 2nd and 3rd tier opponents until they are 20 or 25 fights in. Just look at Diego DLH for example.
So Burnett has a couple of defences and earns a quid, good on him. Then he takes the Tete fight and gets a big payday going into it with a bit more experience and Eddie's subtle promotion so everyone wants it and bums go on seats and he gets a PPV.
Smart promoter

[Ruthless-RKO]

There should be a 3rd poll option;
*is Eddie a good promoter?
To dangle a juicy fight in front of fans, then take it away. He didn't say never, he said not now. How many US fighters have a belt at 18-0? Most are still fighting 2nd and 3rd tier opponents until they are 20 or 25 fights in. Just look at Diego DLH for example.

Joshua was 18-0 when Hearn threw him in with Wlad. But yeh, it was a really big money fight. It was still risky, but Hearn must've known that AJ would win..

Burnett vs. Tete is never and will never attract that much attention.

But then risk wise, it's only worth it when there is a lot of money involved.

[iestynvenables]

so many fans want lesser fights nowadays. If Burnett starts ducking, i want him to lose those belts, rather than waste them fighting weak opposition,
Its not a given that tete would win anyway and if he lost who cares he is young and come back. Boxing has to be the worst sport in the world in the best not fighting each other

[Wa1nuts]

This is exactly whats wrong with the sport

[Ruthless-RKO]

so many fans want lesser fights nowadays. If Burnett starts ducking, i want him to lose those belts, rather than waste them fighting weak opposition,
Its not a given that tete would win anyway and if he lost who cares he is young and come back. Boxing has to be the worst sport in the world in the best not fighting each other

IBF and WBA don't really offer decent mandatories either..

[iestynvenables]

thats what i hate about boxing, is when they win titles, they fight people who they shouldnot happens more in the uk

[jamamb]

There should be a 3rd poll option;
*is Eddie a good promoter?
Yes he is. He mixes truth- Burnett is only young and 18 fights in already with a belt, and he hasn't made much money yet.
What is the best way to make him money?
To dangle a juicy fight in front of fans, then take it away. He didn't say never, he said not now. How many US fighters have a belt at 18-0? Most are still fighting 2nd and 3rd tier opponents until they are 20 or 25 fights in. Just look at Diego DLH for example.
So Burnett has a couple of defences and earns a quid, good on him. Then he takes the Tete fight and gets a big payday going into it with a bit more experience and Eddie's subtle promotion so everyone wants it and bums go on seats and he gets a PPV.
Smart promoter

ya lets turn it into an eddie dick sucking fest.

'too much risk for reward right now'

wow! brilliance

thats what the sportd pretty much all about and hes right to be weary of titty, but most of time its danced around by promoters and fighters. dont really think its a cash generator this comments or makes burnetts side look good but at least theres some honesty. am i on eddie too now then

[TheGingerBomber]

What should have happened is a voluntary on the AJ / Parker undercard, then the Tete fight straight after. Hearn knows for a fact that even if he loses to Tete, he'll have enough of a following in Belfast to do a return show there. And with the Irish they don't exactly stack a card so, more money for Burnett.

[steve689]

They should take it. I actually think Burnett will beat Tete. It'll be a tough fight though and he'll get the living daylights pounded out of him along the way but Burnett has balls to match the skills and won't back down from Tete if it goes into the trenches.

[Boxerbeetle]

Hearn obviously thinks Burnett will lose the fight at this stage of his career (which does seem to be the general consensus on here as well) so sensible to keep him away for now.

[steve689]

Hearn obviously thinks Burnett will lose the fight at this stage of his career (which does seem to be the general consensus on here as well) so sensible to keep him away for now.

Your comments show up the alphabelts for the mush of bullshit they are. If you're not ready for an elite rival when you hold two world titles and rank as a unified champion then there's something wrong. Not a knock on Ryan, just saying.

[Boxerbeetle]

Hearn obviously thinks Burnett will lose the fight at this stage of his career (which does seem to be the general consensus on here as well) so sensible to keep him away for now.

Your comments show up the alphabelts for the mush of bullshit they are. If you're not ready for an elite rival when you hold two world titles and rank as a unified champion then there's something wrong. Not a knock on Ryan, just saying.

I take world titles in boxing about as seriously as I take world titles in wrestling tbh.

[TheLeprechaun]

This is why MMA/UFC is taking over

[mickey1975]

This is why MMA/UFC is taking over

Even though it isn't. I hear less and less about it every year.

[Sklar]

Quack quack

[Andrew]

This is why MMA/UFC is taking over

Even though it isn't. I hear less and less about it every year.

Depends what you mean by taking over. MMA will never replace boxing I hate people saying that. Both are different sports which can co exist.

But MMA stateside is clearly getting bigger, the TV deals prove that compared to what boxing has. More buzz is generated by it and the big cards sell out.

Boxing can learn loads from MMA. The problems as highlighted in the sitatuion with Burnett and Tete ( and many others ) just can't be fixed straight away.

[Andrew]

In short Hearn doesn't think Burnett beats Tete. Just like he didn't think Quigg beat Rigondeaux.

Actually I think ZZ has a better resume than Tete. The Warren win is better than anything on Tetes record IMO.

They thought they could beat ZZ but they don't think he can beat Tete. That is the only reason the fight isn't happening. The money talk is all bollocks. Also whilst in the past people can laugh at FWs offers I think he is being very legit when it comes to this. He has said Tete can go to sky and he would pay his purse. So the money issue is a load of crap.

Again going to Tetes resume I haven't seen anything to suggest he wipes the floor with Burnett. He is a good fighter no doubt but until he faces legit competition we don't know how good he is. But Hearns comments show a lack of confidence in his man.

[mickey1975]

This is why MMA/UFC is taking over

Even though it isn't. I hear less and less about it every year.

Depends what you mean by taking over. MMA will never replace boxing I hate people saying that. Both are different sports which can co exist.

But MMA stateside is clearly getting bigger, the TV deals prove that compared to what boxing has. More buzz is generated by it and the big cards sell out.

Boxing can learn loads from MMA. The problems as highlighted in the sitatuion with Burnett and Tete ( and many others ) just can't be fixed straight away.

I'd say it peaked here a few years ago.

[Ketchel]

So I paid good money and sat ringside for Burnett v ZZ because it was a unification fight. 50/50 fight and worth my hard earned dough and credit to Hearn and Burnett for doing that fight. But now that Burnett is a unified champ and possibly the top of the pile, THE WORLD CHAMPION, we are expected to pay to watch him in knock-over jobs? Might as well put that on the fight posters: Burnett V Knock-over Job #1. Guarantee the ticket prices won't be any less than Burnett's last fight, maybe more as he is a Unified Champ. Only problem is Burnett does not pull in the casuals like AJ - the SSE Arena in Belfast was only setup for half capacity for his last fight - and a no name opponent is unlikely to fill the arena.

Is Tete really the second coming of Azumah Nelson and should be avoided like the plague?

[keirw]

Tete would be the favourite if they were to fight next, but Burnett is improving all the time and in 6-12 months who knows?

It makes sense to build Burnetts profile and following in Belfast in the next fight or two, while Frank has Tete box on Framptons undercards calling Burnetts name.

Personally I wouldn't call this a duck just yet, just smart business. However if this fight hasn't happened by this time next year, my opinion will change.