Matchroom chairman says legal battles and overspending could undermine Zuffa Boxing’s long-term future as its launch approaches
Eddie Hearn believes Zuffa Boxing’s legal disputes and spending strategy could derail the promotion before it establishes itself in the sport. The Matchroom chairman says the company’s business model is unsustainable and claims there are growing concerns inside TKO over its direction.
“They’re being sued left, right, and center at the moment across their whole business,” Hearn said to the media. “Boxing is a very litigious business. You’re dealing with people that don’t back down. They’re used to having their own way. They’re used to suppressing fighters. They’re used to doing whatever they want to do. And you can’t do that in boxing.”
Hearn went further, claiming there are growing concerns inside TKO about the direction of the boxing venture.
“I know that there’s real, at the moment, big concerns within the TKO group about what’s happening,” Hearn said. “When they get on investor calls, those guys that buy the stock are going to be looking at this, looking at the demise of the UFC, looking at the court cases that are coming out every day, and going, ‘I’m not so sure what we’re doing here.'”
Hearn also questioned Zuffa’s recruiting strategy, saying the company is paying well above market value to lure fighters.
“If you’re going to start overpaying seven times the market price… you’re going to go out of business real quick, especially when Turki withdraws his money,” Hearn said. Asked if he believes that will happen, Hearn replied: “It’s inevitable at some point.”
The comments continue Hearn’s ongoing public feud with Zuffa Boxing and CEO Dana White as the new promotion prepares for its launch while attempting to sign fighters away from established promoters. Hearn also insisted that Dana White cannot become involved in a potential Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua fight without Matchroom’s approval under the current promotional agreements.
