The boxing world is buzzing, and not in a good way, according to Eddie Hearn! He's throwing some serious shade at the UFC and its parent company, TKO, and their recent moves to shake up the boxing scene. Let's dive into what has the promoter of Matchroom Boxing so riled up.
Hearn, speaking after Jaron Ennis's victory over Uisman Lima, didn't mince words when discussing TKO's attempts to influence boxing regulations and the UFC's approach to fighter compensation. He was interviewed by Fight Hub TV and other reporters.
At the heart of the issue is TKO's lobbying for the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act. This act aims to introduce its own championship belts alongside those of the established boxing sanctioning bodies like the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO. But here's where it gets controversial... Hearn and many others in boxing see this as a potential threat to the sport's established structure and fairness.
"We're not interested," Hearn declared, making it clear he has no desire to collaborate with UFC's Dana White. He emphasized that Matchroom Boxing operates transparently, sharing revenue details with fighters and their teams. This is a stark contrast to the UFC's model.
Hearn pointed out a key difference: "In boxing, the majority of the revenue from the show goes to the fighters. In MMA, the majority of the revenue goes to the promoter." He made it clear that he is not interested in any changes to the Muhammad Ali Act, the shape of the ring, or the rules.
And this is the part most people miss... Hearn's primary focus is on preserving the integrity and greatness of boxing. He believes that the UFC's proposed changes could undermine the sport's traditions and the financial well-being of its athletes.
What do you think about Hearn's perspective? Do you agree that the UFC's involvement could be detrimental to boxing, or do you see potential benefits? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
