BoxRec

"Eddie Hearn could be banned from promoting in Las Vegas for ‘violating Ali Act’" (Source: WBN)

Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn is under fire for what have been described as ‘potential violations of federal law’ and ‘violating the Ali Act’ in his dealings with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Hearn is attempting to promote a fight between Daniel Jacobs and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in Arizona. This is despite the fact Chavez Jr. was handed a suspension by Nevada.

Chavez Jr. had refused to be drug tested by the NSAC when the fight was originally earmarked to take place in Las Vegas.

In a move that could have repercussions for Hearn, the Essex man shopped the event around to other States in the USA. Arizona eventually agreed to stage the contest.

Nevada chief Bob Bennett is not happy with the way Hearn has conducted himself.

Bennett has now threatened to revoke Hearn’s license to promote in the State in a letter requested from the NSAC by World Boxing News.

The document reads: “Based on Matchroom’s ongoing dealings with Chavez while he has been on suspension, it is apparent that Matchroom has violated Nevada law.

“Further, given that Chavez’s suspension is based on his refusal to submit to a drug test requested by the NSAC. Thus an anti-doping violation. It is apparent that the event scheduled to occur in Arizona on December 20, 2019, is in violation of the Ali Act. As such, Matchroom is promoting an event that potentially violates federal law.

“On November 7, 2019, I contacted Shaun Palmer, Matchroom’s Head of Legal and Business Affairs. I informed him of the legal issues with Matchroom’s dealings with Chavez discussed herein.

“I further informed him of the potential consequences should Matchroom not take corrective measures to comply with Nevada law, including that a violation of Nevada law would be considered by the NSAC when deciding whether to renew Matchroom’s promoter’s license.

“As of the date of this letter, the matters at issue have not been resolved.

“Given the above, grounds exist to bring disciplinary action against Matchroom before the NSAC.

“If Matchroom does not take the necessary action to come into compliance with Nevada law, our office will consider its options.”

Despite tickets going on sale for Jacobs vs Chavez Jr. imminently and subscribers potentially signing up for DAZN, the clash is under threat.

A replacement is already in place to step in for Chavez in Gabriel Rosado. Jacobs vs Rosado seems the most likely scenario at the moment.

For Hearn, the practices used in this event have obviously not gone down well with the Nevada Commission.

The criticism from Bennett comes just days after Hearn promoted two YouTubers on top billing in Los Angeles. Of which two world champions fought on the undercard.

Should lose his license to promote in Las Vegas, it will be a massive blow. Vegas has staged so many big fights of late.

Matchroom and Hearn could be frozen out from being involved on the famous strip in the future.

Thoughts?

Yes. He should be banned if he goes ahead with the bout. Chavez Jr should be banned for a year.

I would imagine Nevada are not going to let one of the biggest promoters go.

Lennox wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 08:22 I would imagine Nevada are not going to let one of the biggest promoters go.

I don't think this would make ANY difference.

Hearn has only promoted 2 events in Nevada.. Both co-promotions where he wasn't even the main promoter.

The Farmer-Ogawa card (before Hearn signed Farmer). He was co-promoter because Stephen Smith was on the card against Vargas.

Also, the other one was a recent big one, Canelo-Jacobs. Again, co-promotion with Golden Boy, who let's not deny was the main promoter in that event.

Hearn usually uses New York, Chicago, California, and the odd Arenas in Kansas, Rhode Island, depending on who is headlining.

i stand corrected then.

I suspect if one gets him on an Ali Act Breach the others will look to get him on similar things if he's not careful

I always believed the purpose of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act was to provide legislation preventing widespread abuse against licensed boxers by promoters, but I don’t really understand how Hearn’s decision to move the venue of the Jacobs-Chavez Jr. bout breaches that legislation.

If Chavez Jr. isn’t banned in Arizona, since it's outside the jurisdiction of the NSAC, then why can’t Matchroom be allowed the stage the bout in that state?

The NSAC might attempt to suspend Eddie Hearn or even refuse to renew his promoters license, but I don’t think they have a strong compelling legal argument to do such things.

If the NSAC decides to act upon their threat, then it could prove very costly for them if Eddie Hearn mounts a legal case appealing their punishment.

The act had a wide range. I worked on it with AABC and John McClain advising on the correct way to rate boxers and set up the compliant boxer aspect. Most Orgs ignore it, I don't think anyone enforces certain bits.

Lennox wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 11:43 The act had a wide range. I worked on it with AABC and John McClain advising on the correct way to rate boxers and set up the compliant boxer aspect. Most Orgs ignore it, I don't think anyone enforces certain bits.

How does it apply to Eddie Hearn and Chavez Jr.? I don't see any fighter exploitation or abuse.

Perhaps the NSAC's own rules may have been breached somehow, but I don't see how his actions have any relevance to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.

Maybe it was improper for Eddie Hearn to effectively circumvent the NSAC’s suspension of Chavez Jr., by staging the bout in Arizona, but someone will have to explain to me how the Matchroom US boss violated the Ali Act.

Feels like I've seen 'potentially violating Ali Act' loads of times but that nothing ever comes of it

Pretty sure Al Haymon breaches the Ali Act on a daily basis but calls himself an 'advisor' in order to avoid legal proceedings being brought against him.

Eddie has a lot he can learn from uncle Al.

keirw wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 14:27 Pretty sure Al Haymon breaches the Ali Act on a daily basis but calls himself an 'advisor' in order to avoid legal proceedings being brought against him.

Eddie has a lot he can learn from uncle Al.

A phone call from Al is probably why he's being threatened by the NSAC in the first place to be honest.

Considering that Hearn mostly does business in the U.K. this probably wouldn't hurt him much...that being said I wouldn't think insisting a show featuring Chavez Jr. go on is worth jeopardizing even the smallest part of your business about at this point.

Chavez Jr. is not a relevant name in the sport anymore nor will he ever be again. That ship has sailed. His Daddy's reputation carried him as far as it's gonna, and now he has his own reputation...and it's not really a good one.

eddie will just sell the fights elswhere
plenty other options in the US where they love boxing

stevec@france wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 15:12 eddie will just sell the fights elswhere
plenty other options in the US where they love boxing

According to the Ali act. No state commission can license a fighter serving a suspension in another state.

Lennox wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 08:22 I would imagine Nevada are not going to let one of the biggest promoters go.

Bingo, fishing for a fine. If not, no sweat to Eddie.

tiny_acres wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 21:10

stevec@france wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 15:12 eddie will just sell the fights elswhere
plenty other options in the US where they love boxing

According to the Ali act. No state commission can license a fighter serving a suspension in another state.

Arizona have agreed to stage it though, apparently. Wouldn't that put them in breach of the Ali act, rather than Matchroom? Or would Matchroom still be considered to be in breach, by making the request?

Either way, I can't see this fight going ahead.

Deleted_Scenes wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 22:29

tiny_acres wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 21:10

According to the Ali act. No state commission can license a fighter serving a suspension in another state.

Arizona have agreed to stage it though, apparently. Wouldn't that put them in breach of the Ali act, rather than Matchroom? Or would Matchroom still be considered to be in breach, by making the request?

Either way, I can't see this fight going ahead.

I'm far from an attorney. I just can't see it happening

Didn't Arizona put on Morrison fights when he had aids?

tiny_acres wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 21:10

stevec@france wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 15:12 eddie will just sell the fights elswhere
plenty other options in the US where they love boxing

According to the Ali act. No state commission can not license a fighter serving a suspension in another state.

Nick Diaz?

The Ali Act seems like one of the least enforced statutes in all of federal law.

jujigatame wrote: ↑15 Nov 2019, 10:53 The Ali Act seems like one of the least enforced statutes in all of federal law.

Yup, like getting a jaywalking ticket.

According to an article written by Thomas Hauser, the NSAC created their own rule that forces promoters to provide them with free tickets to attend their boxing events (in some cases costing tens of thousands of dollars), which directly contravenes the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. (i.e. forbidding members of the commission from receiving compensation from those involved in promoting fights).

So it seems that the NSAC are going to use the same Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act to impose punishment for Eddie Hearn’s conduct?

Enlightened-One wrote: ↑15 Nov 2019, 11:28 According to an article written by Thomas Hauser, the NSAC created their own rule that forces promoters to provide them with free tickets to attend their boxing events (in some cases costing tens of thousands of dollars), which directly contravenes the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. (i.e. forbidding members of the commission from receiving compensation from those involved in promoting fights).

So it seems that the NSAC are going to use the same Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act to impose punishment for Eddie Hearn’s conduct?

I know you love to defend Hearn but two wrongs don't make a right

ewenhay wrote: ↑15 Nov 2019, 16:08

Enlightened-One wrote: ↑15 Nov 2019, 11:28 According to an article written by Thomas Hauser, the NSAC created their own rule that forces promoters to provide them with free tickets to attend their boxing events (in some cases costing tens of thousands of dollars), which directly contravenes the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. (i.e. forbidding members of the commission from receiving compensation from those involved in promoting fights).

So it seems that the NSAC are going to use the same Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act to impose punishment for Eddie Hearn’s conduct?

I know you love to defend Hearn but two wrongs don't make a right

His true love is the pbc.

Onetimeonly wrote: ↑15 Nov 2019, 16:16

ewenhay wrote: ↑15 Nov 2019, 16:08

I know you love to defend Hearn but two wrongs don't make a right

His true love is the pbc.

Pbc, Alvarez and Hearn good.

Loeffler, ggg and Kovalev bad.