Hearn admits to overpaying Martin to secure IBF title for Joshua

[Ruthless-RKO]

Eddie Hearn has admitted that he overpaid IBF holder Charles Martin when bringing the then-undefeated American over to the UK in May 2016 to defend his belt against Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs).

Hearn has told the The Mirror that they took an educated gamble in order to get “AJ” on the world title trail after Tyson Fury’s self-imposed sabbatical and subsequent battle against the UKAD led to the fragmentation of the titles that he won by beating Wladimir Klitschko on points in November 2015.

“We paid Martin an absolute fortune—$6million? Something like that,” admitted Hearn when analysing what he believes is both his “best and worst” deal. “You look back and think, 'It's the worst deal, he got ironed out in two rounds', and Josh will sometimes say, 'Cor, what we paid Charles Martin'. But then I say, 'Mate, it hasn't worked out too badly, has it?' In terms of Joshua, it was the best deal—it's all about moving at the right time.”

“The Parker deal might not look like a good deal at the time, but it might turn out like Charles Martin,” added Hearn.

“Everyone looks at the Martin deal and says, 'You paid $6 million to him and you won't give us $5 million for a unification'. But the game has changed completely...Parker's the first one and [WBC holder Deontay] Wilder is the next one. That really is the plan for 2018.”

[Crease]

Eddie Hearn has admitted that he overpaid IBF holder Charles Martin when bringing the then-undefeated American over to the UK in May 2016

There's no surprises there. We all knew that Eddie would make him a lucrative offer that he couldn't possibly refuse to defend against AJ.

Charles Martin found himself in an extremely fortunate position. He was placed highly enough to fight for the vacant IBF Heavyweight Championship when Tyson Fury was stripped of it, instead of defending against Glazkov. And Glazkov was the heavy favourite going into the vacant title bout, then he hurt his knee.
So the belt automatically passed on to Martin.

Charles Martin made the right decision for himself financially taking the fight against AJ. Although he could have sat on the title and fought a collection of low-ranked fighters (as Wilder has been doing).

One thing though, the amount does surprise me because at the time the figure of £4 million was widely quoted;

“We paid Martin an absolute fortune—$6million? Something like that,”

But in general, I do think that it was good business by Eddie Hearn, because he's smart enough to think of the long-term benefits. In much the same way, that he should pay out an extra few quid for Joseph Parker, then take the belt off him and returning him back to being a non-entity.

[Noxy]

Good move

[roy]

Eddie Hearn has admitted that he overpaid IBF holder Charles Martin when bringing the then-undefeated American over to the UK in May 2016

There's no surprises there. We all knew that Eddie would make him a lucrative offer that he couldn't possibly refuse to defend against AJ.

Charles Martin found himself in an extremely fortunate position. He was placed highly enough to fight for the vacant IBF Heavyweight Championship when Tyson Fury was stripped of it, instead of defending against Glazkov. And Glazkov was the heavy favourite going into the vacant title bout, then he hurt his knee.
So the belt automatically passed on to Martin.

Charles Martin made the right decision for himself financially taking the fight against AJ. Although he could have sat on the title and fought a collection of low-ranked fighters (as Wilder has been doing).

One thing though, the amount does surprise me because at the time the figure of £4 million was widely quoted;

“We paid Martin an absolute fortune—$6million? Something like that,”

But in general, I do think that it was good business by Eddie Hearn, because he's smart enough to think of the long-term benefits. In much the same way, that he should pay out an extra few quid for Joseph Parker, then take the belt off him and returning him back to being a non-entity.

£4 million = roughly $6 million

[tigermoth87]

I wish it backfired and Martin had sparked him.

Can't wait for the AJ hype train to derail.

[keithmoonhangover]

Good move

This.

[Oiky]

Shrewd there from Hearn

[Ruthless-RKO]

At the time, I believe it was Martin that began to call out Joshua and his team. So basically, Hearn knew that Martin wanted the fight, and he was going to use them to get a good payday.

A new champion likely takes an easy first defense in their home state, they don't go out challenging an up-comer boxer with a dangerous early record unless they are going to get paid handsomely for it.

It was the quickest and easiest way for Joshua to gain a world title at the time where one was available.

I remember at the time, I was arguing with my friends, I called Martin a legit threat to AJ, and that he had a good KO record etc. On fight night, non of that mattered.

I believe the first thing Martin did with his purse was buy a Bentley.

[Taansend]

I wish it backfired and Martin had sparked him.

Can't wait for the AJ hype train to derail.

So you're wishing he had lost fights in the past as he's a hype job

[dirk2686]

I wish it backfired and Martin had sparked him.

Can't wait for the AJ hype train to derail.

Why do you think it's a hype train? He's a young heavyweight who stops people and gets routinely involved in exciting fights. Plus he gets matched against decent enough opposition. He's absolutely great for boxing.

[samwbr]

Wise investment. Best $6million they will ever spend. It was a guaranteed world title, Martin is fornicating hopeless.

[Bard of Boxrec]

I wish it backfired and Martin had sparked him.

Can't wait for the AJ hype train to derail.

Keep waiting on that misery guts

[rd350lc]

I wish it backfired and Martin had sparked him.

Can't wait for the AJ hype train to derail.

Keep waiting on that misery guts

dunno what's wrong with people , it's not very often Britain has a superstar successful boxer and it seems as applies with other sports the knockers come along .

Embrace sporting icons when you have the opportunity .

[jamesmcdonnell]

I wish it backfired and Martin had sparked him.

Can't wait for the AJ hype train to derail.

Well you may well be waiting a long time for that one.

[samwbr]

I wish it backfired and Martin had sparked him.

Can't wait for the AJ hype train to derail.

Keep waiting on that misery guts

dunno what's wrong with people , it's not very often Britain has a superstar successful boxer and it seems as applies with other sports the knockers come along .

Embrace sporting icons when you have the opportunity .

It's painful . Can't be serious about boxing if you like a champion. Casualzzzzz