EDDIE HEARN feared “sad” Mike Tyson would chin him during a terrifying first meeting with the boxing legend at a Vegas club.
The boxing promoter says the former world heavyweight champ – now making a comeback aged 53 – put the “fear of Christ” into him.
Boxing legend Mike Tyson gave then-unknown Eddie Hearn an unexpected shock on their first encounterCredit: Getty – Contributor
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn says he tried to boast to Mike Tyson that he was Barry Hearn’s sonCredit: PA:Press Association
Matchroom chief Hearn also revealed how his embarrassing boast “my dad’s Barry Hearn” backfired badly.
Tyson Fury claims he has accepted a fight with his namesake, while Iron Mike could also face a third fight with fellow returnee Evander Holyfield.
But Hearn admits he was out of his comfort zone in his own scary debut encounter with the youngest man ever to become ring king of the world in the showpiece division.
He told British heavyweight Tony Bellew on his TALKTHETALK YouTube programme: “I met him in a club once – in Vegas.
“We were up in this VIP bit and he was up on his own – really sad. He had a lot of people around but you could tell he was actually on his own.
“I sort of went over to him and I’m like, ‘hey, mate! How are you doing?’
I’m looking at him and thinking, I don’t know whether this geezer is going to give me a hug or chin me now.
Eddie Hearn
“At the time I don’t even think I was promoting boxing. I was like, ‘yeah, my dad’s Barry Hearn. And he’s thinking 1) Who the f*** are you? and 2) Who’s Barry Hearn?
“So I’m like, yeah, yeah… and he’s looking at me and he put the fear of Christ in me.
“I’m looking at him and thinking, I don’t know whether this geezer is going to give me a hug or chin me now.”
Now, though, Hearn is such a linchpin in the boxing business that he was approached over Tyson’s return.
He told BBTV earlier this month: “They reached out to me.
“I would probably like to see it, but I kinda feel like, ‘Is it a bit irresponsible to let a 53-year-old legend back in the ring?’
“He looks pretty dangerous. It’s the fascination of could he actually go in at 53 and do some damage in the division?
“Maybe, maybe not. But should we be encouraging that from someone who is an all-time-great?”
Tyson Fury claims he has accepted offer to fight Mike Tyson as boxing legend makes stunning return to ring
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
