“We’ve Never Been Sat on a Top Table”: Eddie Hearn Details Working With Frank Warren for Making the December 23 Card Happen

In the combative world of boxing, rivalries aren’t just confined to the ring. They extend to the promoters too, notably between Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren. An unusual alliance has formed for the December 23 event in Riyadh. This unexpected collaboration is a first for these British promotional heavyweights.

Their joint effort is bringing together titans like Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, albeit in separate bouts. What’s odd is not just their partnership but the underlying motivations. Hearn’s recent comments shed light on this, but not all is as clear-cut as it seems. What led to this sudden change?

Eddie Hearn and Warren’s groundbreaking collaboration

The December 23 card in Riyadh is more than just a boxing event; it’s a symbol of unprecedented collaboration in the sport. This card, featuring luminaries like Anthony Joshua, Dmitry Bivol and Deontay Wilder, is the result of a historic partnership between Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, two giants of boxing promotion in the UK.

Eddie Hearn, in his recent interview, illuminated this extraordinary alliance. He said, “And it’s crazy really when you think about it. I mean we are the two biggest promoters in the UK.” This admission sets the stage for the significance of their collaboration. Hearn openly acknowledges the scale of their individual successes, adding, “I always backed myself to be the biggest promoter in the world, but they’ve done an incredible job lately.”

The gravity of their combined efforts is not lost on Hearn. He reflected on the rarity of their joint venture, stating, “And for two of the biggest promoters in the world not to have worked together, not to have done fights together… We’ve done fights but we’ve never been sat on a top table.” Here, Hearn candidly addresses the competitive past that has kept them apart until now.

However, he also recognizes the positive impact of their rivalry, noting, “It is probably wrong for boxing, but that’s the rivalry and that’s something that’s kept us both competitive.” Hearn suggests that their competition has inadvertently been a boon for boxing fans in the UK.

The key role of diplomacy in boxing’s big night

Pivoting to the core of their collaboration, Hearn emphasizes the fighter-first approach that guided their decision. “We will always put the priority of the fighter first,” he asserted. This principle played a crucial role in bringing them together for the Riyadh event.

Finally, Hearn acknowledges the instrumental role played by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh in orchestrating this collaboration. He concluded, “It probably needed someone like his excellency to bring this together and say like ‘guys I don’t care less. The relationship or what’s happened in the past, this is what we want to do. Do you want to be part of it?’ And for me the answer is absolutely yes. Obviously that’s the same for Frank.”

This detailed perspective from Eddie Hearn not only sheds light on the complexity of boxing promotions but also heralds a new chapter in the sport, one where rivalries give way to mutual goals and shared successes. Oscar De La Hoya also commended this union, acknowledging its importance in setting new standards for boxing promotions.

Also Read: Francis Ngannou Makes Huge Revelation About Eddie Hearn’s Anthony Joshua Fight Offer: “It Wasn’t Interesting for Them”

Will this event pave the way for more such partnerships? What do you think this means for the future of boxing promotions?

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