By Charles Brun: Eddie Hearn says he thinks it’s “smart” and “funny” that Dillian Whyte is staying silent and leaving a sense of uncertainty whether he’ll take the April fight against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Hearn thinks it’s great on Whyte’s part to leave doubts in Fury and his team’s mind whether he’ll show up.
Whyte (28-2,19 KOs) choosing not to speak with the media could cripple the promotion of the fight with Fury, resulting in fans not purchasing tickets or ordering it on PPV.
If this tactic on Whyte’s part persists throughout the entire promotion, it’ll surely impact it in a negative way, and that’s a smart move for him and there’s no reason to be happy about it.
Some boxing fans believe Hearn is still bitter about losing the purse bid for the fight, so rather than being mature about it, he’s choosing to get back by showing approval for Whyte’s silence.
Hearn “LOVES” Whyte’s silence
“I want to see him win the fight. Let’s hope both guys fight,” said Hearn to iFLTV on the Fury vs. Whyte fight. “I always have doubts because I don’t always necessarily believe some things.
“I like people saying, ‘Oh, Dillian is not firing back at Tyson Fury.’ I love it,” said Hearn. “I love it. Keep them guessing. Maybe we’ll be there maybe we won’t. Let’s see.
“It’s great because he likes to be in control, and he doesn’t know what’s happening, so it’s great,” said Hearn about Fury putting out a new video today on social media, criticizing Whyte about his silence since Matchroom Boxing lost the purse bid.
“Maybe Dillian will take it, maybe he won’. Let’s see. I wasn’t [advising Whyte to be silent], but I love the idea more than I think about it. I think it’s great because Tyson Fury likes to be the one [in control].
“‘I’ve got him under my spell here.’No, you haven’t. You can’t even get him to react,” said Hearn on Fury’s inability to get Whyte to speak on social media or to the media to help promote their April fight.
Would Hearn be pleased if he had won the purse bid and Fury chose not to speak to the media?
I mean, if the shoe was on the other foot, would Hearn be gleeful about Fury leaving uncertainty about whether he’ll take the fight?
Eddie expects Dillian to take the fight
“Dillian Whyte has been looking for this opportunity for a long time,” Hearn said. “Of course, he’s in this fight, and once contracts get signed and once things move forward, I’m sure you’ll hear from him.
“But he’s not a performing artist at a circus. He doesn’t have to do everything, and I think it’s really funny at the moment. So like I said, Dillian will talk when Dillian wants to talk. Just wait and we’ll see.
“I think it’s hilarious because they [Team Fury] don’t know where they are,” said Hearn when asked WHY he thinks it’s funny that Dillian isn’t speaking to the media about whether he’s facing Fury or not.
“It’s not uncertain. As a team, we’re not uncertain. We know exactly what we’re doing, but what I’m saying is that I think it’s funny that they’re uncertain. They can’t get a response or a reaction.
“I just think it’s smart. So Fury is allowed to play these mind games or tactics, but that can’t happen from anyone else? I just think it’s great.
Hearn says he won’t help sell tickets
“I’m not going to be out there giving interviews, selling tickets [for the Fury vs. Whyte fight],” said Hearn. “Of course, not. I lost the purse bid but I’m here to support Dillian Whyte in any way he wants.
“If he don’t want, but I very much doubt that because we’ve spoken throughout this whole process.
“I want to see him win. We’ve worked to this moment and now he’s got it, maybe, if we turn up,” said Hearn on the Fury – Whyte fight.
