Page 1 of 2
Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 01 Nov 2023, 15:50
by SAPFO
I listened to it on audible. Barry himself narrates. He admits he’s a very lucky man who had luck at pivotal periods in his life where he was almost on his arse.
He talks about the period he knew he was a dinosaur and that Eddie should hold the reins alone. Eddie thought Froch Groves would fill Wembley. Bazza didn’t.
A good listen.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 01 Nov 2023, 17:10
by SeanBrennan
SAPFO wrote: ↑01 Nov 2023, 15:50
I listened to it on audible. Barry himself narrates. He admits he’s a very lucky man who had luck at pivotal periods in his life where he was almost on his arse.
He talks about the period he knew he was a dinosaur and that Eddie should hold the reins alone. Eddie thought Froch Groves would fill Wembley. Bazza didn’t.
A good listen.
I read it, less than a fiver for a copy, a good read
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 01 Nov 2023, 19:39
by Monzon83
He’s always come across to me as a very unlikeable man but can’t deny his work ethic and what he has achieved in sports promotion.
I can’t really forgive him though for making darts a sporting event. It’s a night out drinking and nothing sporting about it.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 02 Nov 2023, 02:23
by maverick23
Monzon83 wrote: ↑01 Nov 2023, 19:39
He’s always come across to me as a very unlikeable man but can’t deny his work ethic and what he has achieved in sports promotion.
I can’t really forgive him though for making darts a sporting event. It’s a night out drinking and nothing sporting about it.
Doesn’t that show how good a promoter he’s been?
I’ve got the book but haven’t read it yet. I met Barry before one of Kell’s fights - seemed a nice bloke.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 02 Nov 2023, 08:18
by Coco
Monzon83 wrote: ↑01 Nov 2023, 19:39
He’s always come across to me as a very unlikeable man but can’t deny his work ethic and what he has achieved in sports promotion.
I can’t really forgive him though for making darts a sporting event. It’s a night out drinking and nothing sporting about it.
Conversely he comes across to me as very likable, looks after the fighters too, home and away, it's seems fast car is the same like that
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 02 Nov 2023, 10:55
by jamesmcdonnell
Coco wrote: ↑02 Nov 2023, 08:18
Monzon83 wrote: ↑01 Nov 2023, 19:39
He’s always come across to me as a very unlikeable man but can’t deny his work ethic and what he has achieved in sports promotion.
I can’t really forgive him though for making darts a sporting event. It’s a night out drinking and nothing sporting about it.
Conversely he comes across to me as very likable, looks after the fighters too, home and away, it's seems fast car is the same like that
I agree, he seems like a very easy to like chap.
I was once at a boxing match at the 02 I think it was - think it was Froch v Kessler in fact.
I was in a VIP box as a mate of mine had a corporate box for the event, and I went down into the auditorium for something, and when I got in the lift there was Barry Hearn.
I instinctively said "Mr Hearn, what an unalloyed pleasure to meet you (yes, I talk like in real life too).,
He immediately stuck out his hand, grinned broadly and said "Hallo son" and shook my hand like we were old friends.
I followed up with.
"I say, that boy of yours is doing rather well for himself isn't he - bit of a chip off the old block eh."
He replied
"Bit too bleedin well if you ask me son"
with that, the doors opened, he winked at me, and strode out.
A brief interaction, but told you everything about why he'd been so successful in his dealings with people.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 02 Nov 2023, 18:46
by Coco
jamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑02 Nov 2023, 10:55
Coco wrote: ↑02 Nov 2023, 08:18
Monzon83 wrote: ↑01 Nov 2023, 19:39
He’s always come across to me as a very unlikeable man but can’t deny his work ethic and what he has achieved in sports promotion.
I can’t really forgive him though for making darts a sporting event. It’s a night out drinking and nothing sporting about it.
Conversely he comes across to me as very likable, looks after the fighters too, home and away, it's seems fast car is the same like that
I agree, he seems like a very easy to like chap.
I was once at a boxing match at the 02 I think it was - think it was Froch v Kessler in fact.
I was in a VIP box as a mate of mine had a corporate box for the event, and I went down into the auditorium for something, and when I got in the lift there was Barry Hearn.
I instinctively said "Mr Hearn, what an unalloyed pleasure to meet you (yes, I talk like in real life too).,
He immediately stuck out his hand, grinned broadly and said "Hallo son" and shook my hand like we were old friends.
I followed up with.
"I say, that boy of yours is doing rather well for himself isn't he - bit of a chip off the old block eh."
He replied
"Bit too bleedin well if you ask me son"
with that, the doors opened, he winked at me, and strode out.
A brief interaction, but told you everything about why he'd been so successful in his dealings with people.
I met him a number of times, I boxed on a number of his shows, felt he treated me like an old friend!
If your opponent was overweight, which they often were, they would have to pay you a bit extra.
Often it was a nightmare getting it, they would give you your purse, then say they would have to get it from another fella, then not return, you would find him and he'd say he can't find the fella or the fella is mucking him around and hasn't got the money etc.
With Barry the money was always on the nose.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 03 Nov 2023, 08:18
by BigDoofus
Any mentions of Epstein Island?
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 03 Nov 2023, 08:27
by The Gratest
What's Nelson Mandela got to do with this??
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 03 Nov 2023, 10:39
by MacTavish
I met Barry Hearn outside the York Hall having a smoke break outside one of the Prizefighter nights.
Genuinely lovely guy, couldn’t have been happier to chat and just seemed really relaxed and down to earth. I made my friend’s night as it was his first boxing night and to be stood just chatting to a big name promoter like mates was very cool.
Plus you don’t hear many of his ex-stable say a bad word about him, always paid his fighters well and on time is my understanding.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 04 Nov 2023, 09:06
by peter1948
I officiated on quite a few of Barry Hearn' s Boxing promotions over the years & a couple of months ago attended a dinner in his honour in Bexleyheath for his book signing. In all the time I have had dealings with him he has always acted as a real down to earth gentleman & never a problem. What he has done for British sport is unbelieveable taking snooker out of smokey clubs into a very popular TV presentation, British Boxing to the hilt & Darts from Pub saloons to mainstream TV & lets not forget when the London football team Leyton Orient were in financial difficulty he put his money where his mouth was & guided them out of trouble & look where they are now?
Everybody has their own opinion of someone & that is Gr8 but mine of Mr Hearn is one of praise, politeness & being treated excellently at all times.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 04 Nov 2023, 09:45
by SeanBrennan
peter1948 wrote: ↑04 Nov 2023, 09:06
I officiated on quite a few of Barry Hearn' s Boxing promotions over the years & a couple of months ago attended a dinner in his honour in Bexleyheath for his book signing. In all the time I have had dealings with him he has always acted as a real down to earth gentleman & never a problem. What he has done for British sport is unbelieveable taking snooker out of smokey clubs into a very popular TV presentation, British Boxing to the hilt & Darts from Pub saloons to mainstream TV & lets not forget when the London football team Leyton Orient were in financial difficulty he put his money where his mouth was & guided them out of trouble & look where they are now?
Everybody has their own opinion of someone & that is Gr8 but mine of Mr Hearn is one of praise, politeness & being treated excellently at all times.
really nice to hear.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 09 Nov 2023, 16:29
by dan28uk
peter1948 wrote: ↑04 Nov 2023, 09:06
I officiated on quite a few of Barry Hearn' s Boxing promotions over the years & a couple of months ago attended a dinner in his honour in Bexleyheath for his book signing. In all the time I have had dealings with him he has always acted as a real down to earth gentleman & never a problem. What he has done for British sport is unbelieveable taking snooker out of smokey clubs into a very popular TV presentation, British Boxing to the hilt & Darts from Pub saloons to mainstream TV & lets not forget when the London football team Leyton Orient were in financial difficulty he put his money where his mouth was & guided them out of trouble & look where they are now?
Everybody has their own opinion of someone & that is Gr8 but mine of Mr Hearn is one of praise, politeness & being treated excellently at all times.
wonderful insightful opinion and nice to hear i dont mind either of the hearns tbh
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 09 Nov 2023, 17:31
by coneye
Never met him but to me he comes across has a fairly down to earth bloke , if i was offered a buisness deal with the Hearns barry or Eddie , over all the other promoters they would defo be the ones i would deal with.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 09 Nov 2023, 19:40
by Monzon83
Has anybody ever asked him about the Epstein stuff? If not, why not?
You would think some journalist would have tried to.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 10 Nov 2023, 02:29
by maverick23
Monzon83 wrote: ↑09 Nov 2023, 19:40
Has anybody ever asked him about the Epstein stuff? If not, why not?
You would think some journalist would have tried to.
He has been asked about it. Said he and his wife only met Epstein once at a function. The book contained details of something like 2,000 people from memory.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 10 Nov 2023, 05:16
by coneye
Monzon83 wrote: ↑09 Nov 2023, 19:40
Has anybody ever asked him about the Epstein stuff? If not, why not?
You would think some journalist would have tried to.
Think you could bet your left eye , right bollock , and all your teeth , that some probably a lot of slimy journalist , would off been on it and reporting it all over if they found something untowards
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 10 Nov 2023, 05:45
by wouter
Ah.... the Motor City Cobra. Can't wait to read it!
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 10 Nov 2023, 06:17
by leejonesjnr
I run out of audio books and podcasts all the time so I’ve actually listened to it a few times.
It’s entertaining enough and quite interesting.
I can’t remember who it is but there is one bit that feels out of kilter with the rest and seems like it might have been added at a later stage where he has a gentle moan about someone.
I’ve met him once or twice at the gym but only to say hello.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 10 Nov 2023, 06:19
by The Gratest
wouter wrote: ↑10 Nov 2023, 05:45
Ah.... the Motor City Cobra. Can't wait to read it!
My favourite part was when he explained that he wanted to KO James Shuler quickly as he needed to catch a flight to the UK to appear in the video for Chas 'n' Dave's song Snooker Loopy. Dedication.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 10 Nov 2023, 12:03
by nobleart1978
ALWAYS REMEMBER that a ghost writer writes these books. I doubt very much if Barry sat in front of his PC for months writing and re-writing drafts.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 10 Nov 2023, 13:16
by SeanBrennan
nobleart1978 wrote: ↑10 Nov 2023, 12:03
ALWAYS REMEMBER that a ghost writer writes these books. I doubt very much if Barry sat in front of his PC for months writing and re-writing drafts.
doesn't detract from the story, events and actions though. He comes across really well. And the same in his podcast with Tris et al.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 10 Nov 2023, 15:02
by TheLeprechaun
Was Epstein mentioned?
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 10 Nov 2023, 19:01
by SeanBrennan
no. I don't think anyone's going to volunteer their acquaintance with a nonce. Unless it's Mike Tyson. Who seems to be the acceptable nonce.
Re: Barry Hearns Autobiography
Posted: 11 Nov 2023, 09:13
by TheLeprechaun
SeanBrennan wrote: ↑10 Nov 2023, 19:01
no. I don't think anyone's going to volunteer their acquaintance with a nonce. Unless it's Mike Tyson. Who seems to be the acceptable nonce.
Tyson and Ali are the two biggest names in boxing amongst casuals. There's probably nobody on the planet that doesn't know them. I have a friend who sadly went down the rabbit hole of the far right, conspiracies, white race replacement and all that abject nonsense but he will often share Mike Tyson or Ali videos. They just seem to have transcended to a level where everyone loves them. WIth Ali it's easily understandable - he even gave up his prime years because of his principles and he's extremely funny. With Mike, I am not exactly sure why but I guarantee you that you could take the most racist bloke on the planet and there is a high likelihood that he's a big Mike Tyson fan.