Hearn Claims Okolie, Buatsi Received Bad Advice from Advisory Group

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn Claims Okolie, Buatsi Received Bad Advice from Same Advisory Group

Promoter Eddie Hearn says the people who advised his former client, Lawrence Okolie, to defect to a rival outfit are the same ones who caused Joshua Buatsi to decamp from Hearn’s promotional purview.

Hearn, the head of Matchroom, did not name the “group of people” in question but insisted that they were responsible for the recent talent drain on his roster. Both Okolie, a cruiserweight titlist, and Buatsi, a light heavyweight contender, subsequently signed with Boxxer, the promotional company that acts as the key content provider for Sky, the legacy broadcaster in the United Kingdom. The move also saw both fighters leave their longtime management company, 258 MGT, a fighter-advisory company founded by former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

“Some people who aren’t the brightest and don’t know too much about the actual industry of the sport advise these fighters and they’ve got in the ear—It’s the same group of people, in fact, that got in the ear of Lawrence Okolie,” Hearn told FightHubTV.

“You see the similarities,” Hearn said. “Great relationships with Lawrence Okolie and great relationships with Joshua Buastsi and all of a sudden, you’re pumped to say things on camera that don’t really make sense. And also a bit sad to hear him (Buatsi) talk like that.

“We’ve had Joshua Buastsi since his debut. He’s had the full attention of Matchroom, Anthony Joshua, and Sky Sports for his entire career. And he returns back to Sky Sports like it’s the biggest moment of his career. He’s been boxing his whole career on Sky Sports other than two fights. We kind of—it’s frustrating. We offered him 1.25 million pounds to fight Dmitry Bivol. He boxed [Ricards] Bolotniks. He boxed Craig Richards, he got to number one in the world and it’s like, it’s time. He’s a good fighter. He didn’t want the fight. He said in the interview they wanted to extend my contract. Well, obviously, your contract is up and one you had a rematch clause that Dmitry Bivol would insist on and I’m not giving you 1.25 million, building you your whole career and [then letting you go].

“It’s just people filling his head with stuff.”

“He’s a good fighter,” Hearn said of Buatsi. “I just don’t feel like he’s confident enough or ready enough to take on those big fights. He’s gonna box on a small show in May, I believe, against a tick-over. We’ll see. Honestly, I wish him the best of luck. Just disappointing really. I just don’t feel like it’s him speaking. It’s very strange.”

[maverick23]

The advisor is Mazhar Majeed. He also worked with Khan to get the Brook fight over the line. He’s mostly known for the being the agent of the Pakistan players who got done for match fixing. Majeed was given an almost 3 year prison sentence for his involvement in setting up the deals.

Only in boxing!

[Ruthless-RKO]

The advisor is Mazhar Majeed. He also worked with Khan to get the Brook fight over the line. He’s mostly known for the being the agent of the Pakistan players who got done for match fixing. Majeed was given an almost 3 year prison sentence for his involvement in setting up the deals.

Only in boxing!

Who else is he advising in boxing?

[maverick23]

The advisor is Mazhar Majeed. He also worked with Khan to get the Brook fight over the line. He’s mostly known for the being the agent of the Pakistan players who got done for match fixing. Majeed was given an almost 3 year prison sentence for his involvement in setting up the deals.

Only in boxing!

Who else is he advising in boxing?

I don’t know but I’m sure more will get involved.

[ashall2]

Hearn Claims Okolie, Buatsi Received Bad Advice from Same Advisory Group

Promoter Eddie Hearn says the people who advised his former client, Lawrence Okolie, to defect to a rival outfit are the same ones who caused Joshua Buatsi to decamp from Hearn’s promotional purview.

Hearn, the head of Matchroom, did not name the “group of people” in question but insisted that they were responsible for the recent talent drain on his roster. Both Okolie, a cruiserweight titlist, and Buatsi, a light heavyweight contender, subsequently signed with Boxxer, the promotional company that acts as the key content provider for Sky, the legacy broadcaster in the United Kingdom. The move also saw both fighters leave their longtime management company, 258 MGT, a fighter-advisory company founded by former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

“Some people who aren’t the brightest and don’t know too much about the actual industry of the sport advise these fighters and they’ve got in the ear—It’s the same group of people, in fact, that got in the ear of Lawrence Okolie,” Hearn told FightHubTV.

“You see the similarities,” Hearn said. “Great relationships with Lawrence Okolie and great relationships with Joshua Buastsi and all of a sudden, you’re pumped to say things on camera that don’t really make sense. And also a bit sad to hear him (Buatsi) talk like that.

“We’ve had Joshua Buastsi since his debut. He’s had the full attention of Matchroom, Anthony Joshua, and Sky Sports for his entire career. And he returns back to Sky Sports like it’s the biggest moment of his career. He’s been boxing his whole career on Sky Sports other than two fights. We kind of—it’s frustrating. We offered him 1.25 million pounds to fight Dmitry Bivol. He boxed [Ricards] Bolotniks. He boxed Craig Richards, he got to number one in the world and it’s like, it’s time. He’s a good fighter. He didn’t want the fight. He said in the interview they wanted to extend my contract. Well, obviously, your contract is up and one you had a rematch clause that Dmitry Bivol would insist on and I’m not giving you 1.25 million, building you your whole career and [then letting you go].

“It’s just people filling his head with stuff.”

“He’s a good fighter,” Hearn said of Buatsi. “I just don’t feel like he’s confident enough or ready enough to take on those big fights. He’s gonna box on a small show in May, I believe, against a tick-over. We’ll see. Honestly, I wish him the best of luck. Just disappointing really. I just don’t feel like it’s him speaking. It’s very strange.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

[golden_labrador]

Eddie has shades of gaslighting about him. Known and worked with a few like that, react and behave the same way. But boxing promoters are usually such nice people! e.g. Don King.

[ashall2]

Okolie is a bellend.

[a force]

Ain’t that the point though? They know they aren’t draws on Dazn so they’re hoping a move to Sky will help turn them into draws? If they were draws on Dazn already they’d both probably be happy to stay there

[mickey1975]

Ain’t that the point though? They know they aren’t draws on Dazn so they’re hoping a move to Sky will help turn them into draws? If they were draws on Dazn already they’d both probably be happy to stay there

They weren't draws on Sky, either.

[handsofstone]

Ain’t that the point though? They know they aren’t draws on Dazn so they’re hoping a move to Sky will help turn them into draws? If they were draws on Dazn already they’d both probably be happy to stay there

They weren't draws on Sky, either.

Exactly, Eddie makes the point DAZN has more eyes on it globally than Sky, maybe Okolie and Buatsi both realize no matter how talented they are neither have any chance of becoming global stars and fighting on Sky to become stars in UK is their best bet

[joshj909]

The advisor is Mazhar Majeed. He also worked with Khan to get the Brook fight over the line. He’s mostly known for the being the agent of the Pakistan players who got done for match fixing. Majeed was given an almost 3 year prison sentence for his involvement in setting up the deals.

Only in boxing!

Who else is he advising in boxing?

I don’t know but I’m sure more will get involved.

He co-founded Ringside Sports with David Haye in April last year so no doubt there will be a few more to come. I imagine anyone that is advised, represented or managed by Haye will also have Majeed.

[tony1234]

Okolie and Buatsi been around for years and one claiming a world title yet nobody would recognise them if they walked down the street.
Not sure whose fault that is, the promoter who promotes them or the boxers not having the profile that excites the public

[a force]

Ain’t that the point though? They know they aren’t draws on Dazn so they’re hoping a move to Sky will help turn them into draws? If they were draws on Dazn already they’d both probably be happy to stay there

They weren't draws on Sky, either.

They were novices then though. They’ve certainly got a better chance of becoming draws headlining Sky cards than Dazn cards

[handsofstone]

Ain’t that the point though? They know they aren’t draws on Dazn so they’re hoping a move to Sky will help turn them into draws? If they were draws on Dazn already they’d both probably be happy to stay there

They weren't draws on Sky, either.

They were novices then though. They’ve certainly got a better chance of becoming draws headlining Sky cards than Dazn cards

In the UK maybe but worldwide more eyes on DAZN and with DAZN now being available via TV there'll be even more eyes on there, who knows maybe Ben Shalom will get Buatsi the Bivol world title fight for over 1 mil

[cormack]

by " advisory group " he means gobshite hanger oners who know sfa about boxing and sports management

[magnus]

For all the talk about the "number of eyes" and being recognised by the hypothetical "man on the street" (as if many boxers are), maybe Boxxer just offered them more money for easier fights?

I don't know if many fighters accept viewing figures as payment.

[KiwiRider]

Okolie and Buatsi been around for years and one claiming a world title yet nobody would recognise them if they walked down the street.
Not sure whose fault that is, the promoter who promotes them or the boxers not having the profile that excites the public

True.
But if anyone has the power to turn that around, it's Sky, not DAZN.
Pity neither guys are exactly bristling with personality, they are going to have to promote themselves by their actions in the ring.

[maverick23]

Who else is he advising in boxing?

I don’t know but I’m sure more will get involved.

He co-founded Ringside Sports with David Haye in April last year so no doubt there will be a few more to come. I imagine anyone that is advised, represented or managed by Haye will also have Majeed.

Yeah. Majeed will be doing the work and Haye/Khan will be the faces. As I said before it was Majeed negotiating on behalf of Khan for the Brook fight.