Eddie Hearn ready to make ‘major financial play’ for controversial ‘superstar’ jumping ship from rival promoter

Eddie Hearn is poised to capitalize on BOXXER's turmoil, potentially signing fighters like Ben Whittaker and Adam Azim, making them attractive bets for future matches due to enhanced promotional support.

Eddie Hearn is consistently looking to sign new talent, and with one promoter undergoing a major change, now could be the best time to get one major fighter.

Eddie Hearn has been at the top of his game for years now, picking up new talent and developing them into household names under the banner of Matchroom Boxing.

It was recently announced that one of Matchroom’s rivals, BOXXER, had been dropped from their broadcast deal with Sky and would instead land on the BBC, hosting just four shows a year.

With this monumental change of platform, it is no surprise some of BOXXER’s key players are looking to move elsewhere, with a number reportedly having had meetings with rival promoters.

Eddie Hearn ready to sign Ben Whittaker and others as BOXXER goes downhill

In an interview with The Ring, Hearn was asked if he was preparing to poach BOXXER’s talent as the promotional outfit takes its biggest hit. Hearn said, “We’ve definitely had representatives from those fighters reach out and ask us questions. [...] The standard reply is always ‘Until we have confirmation you’re not under a promotional agreement we’re not willing to have those discussions.'”

The Essex promoter continued, “There are a specific number of fighters from that stable who we would make a major financial play for if they were contractually available.” Hearn did not specify who, though the obvious choices are 13-0 Adam Azim, who Hearn has wanted to face Dalton Smith for a while now, and 9-0-1 showboating extraordinaire Ben Whittaker.

Other names could include Caroline Dubois, Martin Bakole, Frazer Clarke, and Callum Simpson, but Azim, who beat Sergey Lipinets recently, and Whittaker seem the most likely choices.

When asked if Whittaker, who KO’d Liam Cameron in his last outing, was one of the fighters Hearn wanted, he replied, “I think Ben Whittaker has all the potential to be a global superstar, and with that in mind, the only place you can become a global superstar, in my opinion, to be built into that, is by Matchroom.”

He went on to criticize the inactivity of these fighters, suggesting they need a plan and to fight around four times a year, which they just will not be able to do under BOXXER’s new deal.

BOXXER’s first BBC deal will see an Olympian face an unlucky foe

It has been rumored that the first fight from BOXXER to land on BBC Two will be Frazer Clarke vs Jeamie TKV. Clarke is 9-1-1 as a pro having fought to a draw with Fabio Wardley for the British title, and then being blasted in one round by him in horrific fashion in their rematch.

TKV, meanwhile, comes off an unlucky attempt at the British title against David Adeleye, as TKV was struck by Adeleye after the referee called break, and was handed his second career defeat. The first came on cuts against a lower-level opponent in 2023.

The Olympic Bronze medallist returned from the Wardley loss in April, demolishing Dillian Whyte’s last opponent, Ebenezer Tetteh, in one round. The fight is rumored to take place in Birmingham on September 27th.

This article first appeared on Bloody Knockout and was syndicated with permission.

Eddie Hearn is consistently looking to sign new talent, and with one promoter undergoing a major change, now could be the best time to get one major fighter.

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