EDDIE HEARN doesn’t want to be involved with ‘cringe’ YouTube boxing anymore
Hearn, Matchroom boxing promoter, dabbled in the YouTube boxing scene back in 2019 when he staged a professional bout between UK YouTube megastar KSI and American social media sensation Logan Paul.
Since 2019’s fight between the two YouTubers, older brother Logan has gone on to face the legendary Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition fight.
And younger brother Jake – whose professional debut was staged by Hearn – has gone down the professional boxing route and made light work of AnEsonGib, Nate Robinson and Ben Askren.
His next opponent is former UFC welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley on August 29.
But Hearn – who promotes some of boxing’s biggest stars like Anthony Joshua – is now trying to move away from YouTube boxing because he feels “boxing needs to stand up and be counted”.
He told talkSPORT: “I’ve been on that side when I did KSI vs Logan Paul.
“It’s a mad world and, since I did that fight, it seems like there’s a YouTube fight every week.
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“I’ve tried to move a little bit away from that because I think boxing needs to stand up and be counted.
“And the only way we can do that is to make great fights.
“Because if we don’t make great fights, what we’re seeing in terms of David Haye vs Joe Fournier, Jake Paul, Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul, will become much more regular, because they do rate.”
Hearn shut down the idea that YouTubers can make great fights.
But pointed out Jake in particular who is “putting the work in” to make something of his professional boxing career.
He continued: “No, not really (don’t make good fights).
“I don’t mind it, look, Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley, I don’t have an issue with it.
“Jake Paul’s putting the work in, he’s now had three fights, he’s fighting a guy that can fight in some capacity and he’s a UFC champion.
“Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul was just a joke and so’s David Haye vs Joe Fournier, but it’s just a bit of fun…
“Some people want to almost respect their legacy in the sport and some just wanna make as much money as possible.
“We just need to focus on boxing.
“The Josh Warrington card with Katie Taylor and Conor Benn. The AJ vs Usyk fight, this is what we need to focus on.
“We need to deliver numbers for DAZN and our broadcasters because otherwise broadcasters will be asking for YouTube fights and that’s not a sport I wanna be in.
“I’ve done that before, we had a bit of fun, it was a bit cringe to be honest, it was tough at times, but I do understand the demand.
“But we’ve gotta make sure we focus on the sport, rather than just the other side, because otherwise you’ll see that more and more.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
