BoxRec

Haymon outbids Hearn, that's a lot of dosh, $3.1 mill for a fight between two boxers most Americans will never have heard of

http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/sport/story/411551.html

Still, if they put the two brothers on a double bill world title tilt, that's got an interesting angle for his new boxing venture,though I'd say Andre is a potential box office bust, and his fight with JD is going to be a tactical fencing match at best.

Love to see DeGale upset the applecart though, with hopefully an exciting win.

Very interested to see how they match up athletically. Degale definitely giving up reach and quite probably speed, and I'm not sure he's the type of fighter to compensate.

Interesting fight this, should tell us a lot about where DeGale is at.

Haymons bid of $3.1m seems crazy, as OP points out, neither fighter is a draw stateside.

That's Eddie put firmly back in his 'European-level Promoter' box - Haymon most definitely not messing about with this one.

Was always going to be interesting to see how James would go about things as the challenger who needed to press things to take the belt away....but now he might have to do it on the other guy's turf and really go at a fighter who'll be more than happy to see him coming at him....it just got way harder.

Reckon James can do it though, he's working harder these days, is more mature and his punches pack far more venom. And he's quick and smart enough to get at Dirrell without wasting punches or getting tagged too badly. Just needs the mindset to be aggressive and back the guy up.

Hearn better pray that FW doesnt fancy sticking it to him by making Haymon an offer to show the card on BN.

I cant believe that sky are chuffed about it anyway having to fork out on sending a team ou and other costs there but if they have to outbid BN ontop there will be a shitstorm at sky HQ. On the otherhand maybe Hearn will have to cough up out of mathrooms coffers.

Good luck James by the way

Great news these big purses for the fighters long may it last.

Manchester Hitman wrote:Hearn better pray that FW doesnt fancy sticking it to him by making Haymon an offer to show the card on BN.

I cant believe that sky are chuffed about it anyway having to fork out on sending a team out there but if they have to outbid BN ontop there will be a shitstorm at sky HQ. On the otherhand maybe Hearn will have to cough up out of mathrooms coffers.

Good luck James by the way

The funny thing is i can see allegedly outbidding Sky.

Unfortunately Frank prob can't afford to bid too much for the TV rights, because it's not exactly going to attract viewers, though I'm sure he'd love to, if only to force Hearn to pay more than it's worth, because Sky & Matchroom will look a right bunch of clowns if they don't get the TV rights for their own fighter.

Eddie already looking like shelving the April 25th show. He clearly had it down as a ppv and now can't with just 1 world title fight.

Degale will go over, get paid well and bring a belt home with good usa exposure.

I'm really curious to see how the bookmakers will price up odds for this fight. There could be a bit of value in DeGale here.....

Eddie Hearn on 3rd February 2015:

“It’s very early,” said Hearn. “This has all happened in the last 24 hours, we will continue negotiations with his team to try to get that fight made. With a sold-out arena in The O2 and Sky Sports behind us, I think it would be difficult for them to get James to America. If that has to happen, not a problem, we’ll go over there, but we’re pushing for that fight to take place on April 25 in London and if Dirrell doesn’t want the fight then it goes down the list to the next available contender which is Gilberto Ramirez. There’s lots of work to do in the next few days but I am confident that James will fight for the World title at The O2 on April 25.”

Looks like crazy purse bid caught Eddie by surprise

Best thing that could have happened to him I think. He will have to be bang on his game and I think being away from home will bring the best out on him. Win out there and it's a bigger achievement.
Also landing a very nice purse too and of course the U.S. exposure.

This is good for Boxing. A competitive fight and should be an interesting mesh of styles. Will go to the scorecards I think.

The bid of 2.105 million suggests Hearn thought it would be tight, but thought he had it in the bag (extra .005 suggests that in my opinion). Huge bid from Al Haymon, and I have every belief that DeGale will go over there, win UD and come home with a world title to place next to his Olympic Gold Medal as well as 1.55 million quid

sammy95 wrote:The bid of 2.105 million suggests Hearn thought it would be tight, but thought he had it in the bag (extra .005 suggests that in my opinion). Huge bid from Al Haymon, and I have every belief that DeGale will go over there, win UD and come home with a world title to place next to his Olympic Gold Medal as well as 1.55 million quid

$2.105 million is £1.4 million, give or take as the exchange rate moves, I don't think it was down to him thinking it would be close, he went with the lowest number he thought he could win with and make a profit on.

Tough ask for De Gale to beat the better Dirrell in the states hope he pulls it off though

Hearn talking about Roc Nation not having big pockets for Ward Vs Froch in the states, suggesting Linares will come over here, and thinking he had this one in the bag for Sky PPV...all in all it shows maybe a little hubris on Hearn's part. He needs to realise Haymon, Roc Nation and Teiken have the money to put him on the floor if they choose to. Let this be a warning young Hearn, bid big or you can play with the little boys whilst sending your stars overseas...

In what will inevitably be a tactical, probably points decided encounter, it is hoped that we don't end up with an American Ref and 3 American judges. (Only in America !) At least it isn't Vegas so there is a possibility for "some" balance in the Judging Department.

jameswilson wrote:

I'm just waiting on someone coming on and blaming Manny for not signing the contract

Great purse for DeGale. A real 50-50 match up in my opinion.

Dirrell very talented but I'm still not convinced by his heart. James will need to put lots of pressure on to win.

As someone said above this is a scorecard fight in my opinion and it will be interesting to see who the judges are.

Shame for british boxing that it isnt over here but JDG cant really argue with the purse he will be getting. He will need to bring his A-game though to bring home the belt.

expe wrote:

sammy95 wrote:The bid of 2.105 million suggests Hearn thought it would be tight, but thought he had it in the bag (extra .005 suggests that in my opinion). Huge bid from Al Haymon, and I have every belief that DeGale will go over there, win UD and come home with a world title to place next to his Olympic Gold Medal as well as 1.55 million quid

$2.105 million is £1.4 million, give or take as the exchange rate moves, I don't think it was down to him thinking it would be close, he went with the lowest number he thought he could win with and make a profit on.

But is that not his job as promoter?

Obviously, he should do his best to get his man home advantage, but he and his company are the same as any other company....there to make profit.

maninthemiddle wrote:In what will inevitably be a tactical, probably points decided encounter, it is hoped that we don't end up with an American Ref and 3 American judges. (Only in America !) At least it isn't Vegas so there is a possibility for "some" balance in the Judging Department.

Ironically, the reason Dirrell didn't want to come here again was he was hoping for fair judging.

$3.1 Mil is a ridiculous amount to bid for this fight, Haymon has some pretty deep pockets.

Hope DeGale wins though, can't stand Andre Dirrell.