Happy Birthday Eddie Hearn!

A game-changer in modern-day British boxing, Eddie Hearn’s intelligence, character, and influence have been a breath of fresh air to the sport that runs through his blood.

With an endless list of names such as Anthony Joshua, Cecilia Braekhus, Katie Taylor, Callum Smith, Dillian Whyte, Josh Warrington, Billy Joe, Bivol, Andrade, GGG and Devin Haney under his wing, the Managing Director of Matchroom Sport has been responsible for some of the greatest bouts of the 21st Century.

Making possible events such as Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko, Carl Froch vs. George Groves II, and David Haye vs Tony Bellew, the art of sports promotion has been mastered by the Essex-based tycoon.

Revealing in 2018 that Matchroom had completed boxing’s first $1 billion deal, Hearn, the son of iconic sports promoter Barry Hearn, has successfully turned a business into an empire.

Following in his father’s footsteps, the prodigy initially learned his trade through golf and online poker promotions. Hearn Sr had promoted Nigel Benn, Lennox Lewis, Chris Eubank Sr, and Frank Bruno. A 2010 chance meeting with the former super-heavyweight champion and Olympic Gold medallist Audley Harrison sparked the beginning of a prosperous career in boxing for a younger Hearn.

Joining forces having met playing poker, Hearn envisaged an unlikely comeback to the top for an almost finished Harrison. Masterminded shortly after their meeting was the first all-British heavyweight title fight since Lewis beat Bruno in 1993. In his first major promotion, the man behind Matchroom as we know it willed into existence a 2011 bout with David Haye.

After a grueling build-up of marketing, sales, and boosting brand image, Harrison froze in the ring as Haye won with ease. Hearn had sold-out Manchester Arena on his debut show but had hosted a contest that was by all accounts an awful night of boxing.

Whilst entertainment lacked, the reality of the event was that a fallen athlete staring retirement in the face had fought for a world title against the Hayemaker.

Within ten days of a victory that earnt Haye over £4 million, Hearn had signed middleweight Darren Barker, young welterweight prospect Kell Brook and super-middleweight legend Carl Froch to Matchroom promotions. Just a year later, Hearn signed an exclusive broadcast partnership with Sky Sports.

A once amateur boxer himself, the internet sensation is no stranger to competition. Alongside right-hand-man and Matchroom CEO Frank Smith, Hearn has forced the likes of Frank Warren and even Al Haymon to up their games.

Persuading Anthony Joshua to join Matchroom after the heavyweight won gold at the London 2012 Olympics, Hearn had won his most precious prize. Ringside for every AJ victory sits a swiftly suited and booted 6ft 5inch, smartly dressed Dagenham-born showman who has made the show possible.

Estimated to be worth £40 million, the once double-glazing salesman combined contacts, a genuine love of the sport, and a refreshing charm to re-invent top level boxing.

Currently creating a ‘legacy’ plan to stage unique boxing shows in his office garden, Hearn believes that a ‘Matchroom Fight Camp’ could be pivotal in launching the sport back on UK television screens for the first time since the sport was halted in March due to the coronavirus.

Another year older today, we at Boxing Guru wish one of boxings finest assets and the star of ‘No Context Hearn’ a very happy 41^st birthday.

“Skills do pay the bills, so hopefully I can keep on learning and keep on improving.” – Eddie Hearn

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Noah Abrahams articles