Eddie Hearn Says Matchroom Talent Agency Was Planned Before Zuffa Boxing

Matchroom chairman says the athlete representation venture had been in development before new investment groups entered boxing

Eddie Hearn says Matchroom’s new Talent Agency was planned long before Zuffa began entering boxing. The promoter introduced the venture this week as a management company for athletes and entertainers.

The Matchroom chairman introduced the new venture this week as a talent management company designed to represent athletes and entertainers across several industries. The announcement comes as new promoters and large investment groups are entering boxing, including Zuffa’s recent move into the sport, which has drawn attention across the industry.

Hearn rejected the suggestion that the timing of the agency was connected to those developments, saying the concept had already been in development.

“Those conversations have been going for ages mainly around football,” Hearn said.

Matchroom Talent Agency becomes part of the company’s existing operations in boxing, darts, and snooker, but the new division focuses on representation rather than event promotion. Hearn described it as a management operation designed to assist clients with commercial opportunities and public exposure.

“It’s a management company… like any sports agency or athlete representation company that is representing fighters, players,” Hearn said.

The agency is not limited to professional athletes. Hearn said the plan is to work with people from outside sport as well, including figures in entertainment.

“We’re not limited to sport… if you’re an actor, if you’re a musician, we want to work with you,” he said.

Matchroom has spent decades promoting events across several sports, but the creation of a talent agency moves the company closer to the commercial side of athletes’ careers. Hearn said the move reflects Matchroom’s experience working with broadcasters, sponsors, and media partners across multiple sports and international events.

The company expects to announce additional signings as the agency begins operating. Hearn said the long-term goal is to represent talent across sport, entertainment, and media while continuing Matchroom’s work promoting events in boxing and other sports around the world.