Eddie Hearn explains remark about cleaning Turki Alalshikh’s shoes

Matchroom promoter says the remark reflected boxing’s business realities

Eddie Hearn says his remark about cleaning Turki Alalshikh’s shoes was simply an honest description of how the business works when major opportunities appear in boxing.

The Matchroom promoter addressed the comment after a video circulated online showing him joking that he would clean the Saudi official’s shoes if asked. The remark drew criticism online, but Hearn said the point was simple. When someone creates major opportunities for fighters, a promoter’s job is to recognize that and act accordingly.

“If you asked me to clean your shoes, I’ll clean your shoes,” Hearn said to The Stomping Ground. “But what the reference was basically me saying I’m not too proud to know my position and to know the opportunities that’s being presented to me.”

Saudi Arabia has funded a series of major boxing events over the last two years, bringing together several championship fights that had stalled in traditional negotiations. Fighters promoted by Matchroom have appeared on multiple Riyadh Season cards during that period, including major title bouts and heavyweight events involving some of the sport’s most recognizable names.

Hearn said his approach has always been simple. When an opportunity appears that benefits fighters and the company, the priority is taking advantage of it rather than worrying about how the moment looks publicly.

“My old man says if you walk past the five-penny piece on the floor, you pick it up,” Hearn said. “If there’s a great opportunity, we’re making money, and I’m enjoying doing it, no problem.”

Hearn added that he expects to continue working with Turki on future boxing events despite the occasional public exchange. Several promoters now work with Saudi-backed events, and the funding has become a regular part of the sport’s biggest fight negotiations.

“I think he likes working with us,” Hearn said. “He’s always going to do what suits him, and we’ll continue to do what suits us and our fighters.”