“It’s difficult to develop an American talent.” Eddie Hearn laments the current state of American boxing.

By: Sean Crose

“In England, boxing is a big sport,” says British promoter Eddie Hearn. fight exaggeration in an interview posted Thursday, “definitely top 5. Probably top three.” Hearn, who runs Matchroom Boxing is one of the top promoters on the planet. What’s more, the Englishman has long struggled to establish himself in the American mainstream. In 2024 America, however, that’s a difficult thing to do – because boxing isn’t that exciting, unless of course it involves a novelty fight. “Here,” Hearn said of the United States, “we have to rely more on the boxing media” to attract attention.

“It’s difficult to develop an American talent,” Hearn continued, “when the national media or major media outlets in different cities don’t really follow boxing.” For Hearn, that’s too bad for current American talent. “I look at people like Crawford and I look at people like Wilder, those types of people,” he says almost wistfully. “When Wilder was the world heavyweight champion, I thought this guy should be a national superstar. He’s a really exciting fighter, world heavyweight champion from Alabama. The entire national media should follow and tell his story.”

Hearn went on to mention blue chip talent Devin Haney, who is just weeks away from a big fight with Ryan Garcia. “Even like Devin,” Hearn said, “to get through the national media is very difficult when boxing isn’t high on your sports list.” In Britain, Hearn points out, things work very differently. “I know that I could have a press conference in the UK,” he continued, “and I could have every media outlet in the country at the press conference.” While Haney and Garcia will certainly attract attention — especially with Garcia’s pre-fight actions on social media — Hearn’s point has already been taken.

Whether or not he is as successful in the United States as he hopes to be, there is no doubt that Hearn remains near the top of boxing’s promotional/management/mentorship tables. An explosively rejuvenated Anthony Joshua may be the figurative fit for Matchroom boxing, but Hearn also promotes the likes of Katie Taylor, Dmitry Bivol and Alycia Baumgardner, top names… and certainly not all were British. Indeed, Brooklyn’s Richardson Hitchins will highlight Matchroom action in Las Vegas this weekend when he takes on undefeated welterweight teammate Gustavo Lemos on DAZN.