Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn took some open questions from fans on Instagram on Thursday, giving some updates on the likes of Callum Smith, Devin Haney, the Fury-Joshua fight (kinda!), Josh Warrington following his loss to Mauricio Lara, and many more.
Some of what Hearn had to say, mostly the boxing stuff, nothing about his favorite crisps (we call them chips in America, which is what they call fries, English is a remarkable language):
- Asked whether or not he has a “love-hate” relationship with Tyson Fury, Hearn replied, “Tyson is great for the game, just believe AJ takes him out.”
- Hearn “doesn’t understand” why Ryan Garcia is not interested in fighting Devin Haney, but if Garcia doesn’t change his mind on that for any reason, Hearn likes the discussed idea to pit Haney against Jorge Linares in April.
- Callum Smith will be moving up to light heavyweight and looking to become a two-weight world champion.
- The plan for Josh Warrington is the rematch with Mauricio Lara, possibly at Headingley Stadium in Leeds. He said Warrington is “good, hurting because he’s a winner, but I know he will be back stronger.”
- As far as crowds coming back to UK boxing, Hearn expects that may be in April. He also said Matchroom have “unbelievable plans” to do another “Fight Camp” series at company headquarters in August, possibly with fans in attendance.
- Hearn said he has “always loved” the idea of a Deontay Wilder vs Dillian Whyte fight, but that Whyte has business with Alexander Povetkin first.
- If Joseph Parker beats Junior Fa on Feb. 27 in New Zealand, Hearn says he has spoken with David Haye, and that everyone really seems to want to get the Parker-Derek Chisora fight together next.
- He called Zelfa Barrett’s win last Saturday over Kiko Martinez a “great fight,” and would be “happy to do” a rematch between the two. Hearn does believe Barrett deserved the win, but felt it was a close fight and, as he said immediately post-fight, he was disappointed in the wide scores in Barrett’s favor.
- When asked what was next for lightweight James Tennyson, Hearn again floated the idea of Tennyson facing Ricky Burns.
- Former junior bantamweight titleholder Kal Yafai will be back in April or May, now fighting at bantamweight.
- Hearn is up for a rematch between Matchroom’s Kash Farooq and Lee McGregor if the two win their upcoming bouts.
- Asked about Matchroom’s most improved fighter, Hearn noted featherweight prospect Raymond Ford.