Eddie Hearn Rips Haney and Teofimo for Playing Promoter on Someone Else's Dime
The Matchroom boss says fighters want logos on posters and company branding without putting up a penny of their own money.
Eddie Hearn is calling out a trend he sees across boxing: fighters launching promotional companies without actually promoting anything.
The Matchroom Sport chairman took aim at Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez in a recent interview, saying both fighters want the title of promoter without the financial risk that comes with it.
"Not willing to put one penny into the show, but they want a logo on the poster," Hearn said, per Boxing News 24. He acknowledged that fighters wanting some input into their events is fine, but drew the line at arrangements that give a boxer company recognition and branding while someone else covers the costs.
Hearn's criticism targets a growing model in boxing where fighters form promotional entities that appear on event posters and announcements but do not underwrite purses, ticket guarantees, sanctioning fees, or absorb losses. The actual capital comes from networks like DAZN and established promoters like Matchroom or Top Rank.
Boxing News 24 noted that Floyd Mayweather's Mayweather Promotions remains the standard for a fighter-turned-promoter who actually funded shows and signed outside talent. The outlet also pointed to Shakur Stevenson's plans for his own promotional company, though it is unclear whether Stevenson intends to invest his own money in events.
Hearn did not provide specific financial details about Haney's or Lopez's arrangements with DAZN.
Hearn's not saying anything the rest of us haven't noticed. A logo on a poster doesn't make you a promoter. Writing checks that might not come back does. Mayweather understood that. He took the financial risk, signed fighters, and put on cards with his own money on the line. That's promoting.
What Haney and Teofimo are doing is closer to branding. And look, I don't blame them for wanting it. Every fighter should be thinking about life after the ring. But calling yourself a promoter while DAZN and Matchroom foot the bill is like calling yourself a restaurant owner because your name is on the menu.
The real question is whether any of these fighter-promoter setups will survive once the network deals dry up. If Shakur or anyone else actually puts capital at risk and makes it work, that changes the conversation. Until then, Hearn has a point.
KEEP TALKING FIGHTS.
BoxingBob Arum Says Paying Shakur Stevenson $15 Million Makes No Financial Sense
BoxingWBO Orders Bentley to Face Hernandez or Vacate Middleweight Title
BoxingFoster and Navarrete Unify Three Super Featherweight Titles Saturday
Boxing