Tag: Eddie Hearn

Eddie Hearn pokes fun at Francis Ngannou after brutal KO loss to Anthony Joshua: ‘I’m not sure he’s come around yet’

Eddie Hearn pokes fun at Francis Ngannou after KO loss against Anthony Joshua I don't think he's come around yetEddie Hearn has responded to Francis Ngannou as the former UFC heavyweight champ says he was tricked ahead of…

Eddie Hearn pokes fun at Francis Ngannou after KO loss against Anthony Joshua I don't think he's come around yet

Eddie Hearn has responded to Francis Ngannou as the former UFC heavyweight champ says he was tricked ahead of the Anthony Joshua fight.

Ngannou had his second boxing fight against Joshua after he fought Tyson Fury to a split decision loss. Yet, against Joshua, he suffered a second-round knockout loss as he was dominated by the Brit and was dropped three times, with the third being the knockout blow.

Francis Ngannou reveals myster warm up issue ahead of Anthony Joshua I kept falling asleep
Mandatory Credit: Richard Pelham

On Monday, Ngannou says he felt tricked as he says he had to get to the venue much earlier than Joshua which impacted him as he says he was tired by the time he fought.

“Listen, we both fought at 3am. What I think happened is that they get me to the arena very early. Like my pickup time was 10.30pm to go to the arena. And then when we get to the arena, they tell us that we are scheduled around 1:45am right? They come to the locker around 1am and Joshua [was just arriving around 1]. I’m like, ‘OK, we are fighting at the same time, how come I have a pickup time?’”

“We received a schedule, an email, and then for some reason I was there at least one hour before. But for the fight, at least two hours beforehand. They do this kind of trick to get you tired. I was like cool, I was like, ‘Bro, it’s okay.’ I didn’t know how important that was, until the fight day that I had to get there two hours before,” Ngannou said to Ariel Helwani (via TalkSPORT).

Eddie Hearn refuses to discuss Conor McGregor after Katie Taylor win I don't represent him
Mandatory Credit: James Chance

Following Ngannou’s comments, Eddie Hearn responded to those comments in a simple Instagram comment:

“I’m not sure he has come round yet,” Hearn wrote.

Although Francis Ngannou thinks he was tricked, Anthony Joshua did dominate the fight from start to finish and he showed the difference in levels between the two.

Francis Ngannou Still Open To Another Boxing Match

After Francis Ngannou’s loss to Anthony Joshua, many wondered if ‘The Predator’ would box again.

Ngannou is now 0-2 as a boxer, but he fought two of the top heavyweights alive. Although the focus will likely turn to MMA and fighting for PFL, Ngannou says he does have an interest in boxing again, and mentions the rematch with Tyson Fury as a possibility.

aj ngannou08032024 1qhm9iey2y5yb1gh0oqgzs7w83

But, for now, it seems likely that Ngannou’s next fight will be in the PFL against Renan Ferreira who knocked out Ryan Bader.

Eddie Hearn pokes fun at Francis Ngannou after brutal KO loss to Anthony Joshua: ‘I’m not sure he’s come around yet’

Eddie Hearn pokes fun at Francis Ngannou after KO loss against Anthony Joshua I don't think he's come around yetEddie Hearn has responded to Francis Ngannou as the former UFC heavyweight champ says he was tricked ahead of…

Eddie Hearn pokes fun at Francis Ngannou after KO loss against Anthony Joshua I don't think he's come around yet

Eddie Hearn has responded to Francis Ngannou as the former UFC heavyweight champ says he was tricked ahead of the Anthony Joshua fight.

Ngannou had his second boxing fight against Joshua after he fought Tyson Fury to a split decision loss. Yet, against Joshua, he suffered a second-round knockout loss as he was dominated by the Brit and was dropped three times, with the third being the knockout blow.

Francis Ngannou reveals myster warm up issue ahead of Anthony Joshua I kept falling asleep
Mandatory Credit: Richard Pelham

On Monday, Ngannou says he felt tricked as he says he had to get to the venue much earlier than Joshua which impacted him as he says he was tired by the time he fought.

“Listen, we both fought at 3am. What I think happened is that they get me to the arena very early. Like my pickup time was 10.30pm to go to the arena. And then when we get to the arena, they tell us that we are scheduled around 1:45am right? They come to the locker around 1am and Joshua [was just arriving around 1]. I’m like, ‘OK, we are fighting at the same time, how come I have a pickup time?’”

“We received a schedule, an email, and then for some reason I was there at least one hour before. But for the fight, at least two hours beforehand. They do this kind of trick to get you tired. I was like cool, I was like, ‘Bro, it’s okay.’ I didn’t know how important that was, until the fight day that I had to get there two hours before,” Ngannou said to Ariel Helwani (via TalkSPORT).

Eddie Hearn refuses to discuss Conor McGregor after Katie Taylor win I don't represent him
Mandatory Credit: James Chance

Following Ngannou’s comments, Eddie Hearn responded to those comments in a simple Instagram comment:

“I’m not sure he has come round yet,” Hearn wrote.

Although Francis Ngannou thinks he was tricked, Anthony Joshua did dominate the fight from start to finish and he showed the difference in levels between the two.

Francis Ngannou Still Open To Another Boxing Match

After Francis Ngannou’s loss to Anthony Joshua, many wondered if ‘The Predator’ would box again.

Ngannou is now 0-2 as a boxer, but he fought two of the top heavyweights alive. Although the focus will likely turn to MMA and fighting for PFL, Ngannou says he does have an interest in boxing again, and mentions the rematch with Tyson Fury as a possibility.

aj ngannou08032024 1qhm9iey2y5yb1gh0oqgzs7w83

But, for now, it seems likely that Ngannou’s next fight will be in the PFL against Renan Ferreira who knocked out Ryan Bader.

Dana White urged to pay ‘Whatever it costs’ to land UFC return for Conor McGregor this year

Dana White told to pay whatever it costs to make Conor McGregor return to the UFC Eddie HearnMatchroom Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn has some advice for UFC CEO, Dana White – in the form of luring…

Dana White told to pay whatever it costs to make Conor McGregor return to the UFC Eddie Hearn

Matchroom Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn has some advice for UFC CEO, Dana White – in the form of luring former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor back to the Octagon later this year, by paying the Dubliner “whatever it costs” to compete again.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight titleholder under the promotion’s banner, has been sidelined since he fractured his left tibia and fibula in an opening round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Dustin Poirier back in 2021.

And linked with a comeback since the beginning of last year, McGregor, who served as an opposing coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31 against Michael Chandler, has been backed to fight the former Bellator MMA lightweight kingpin in his return.

Appearing destined to be denied a summer comeback to the UFC by promotional leader, White, McGregor has stressed his desire to make a return time and time again in recent months – however, apparently to no avail.

Dana White urged to cough up for Conor McGregor comeback

And as far as the above-mentioned British promoter, Hearn is concerned, McGregor should be paid “whatever it costs” by White in order to bag his fighting return this year inside the Octagon.

“If it was me – and it’s not me, and Dana (White) certainly doesn’t need my advice – but I’m brining (Conor) McGregor back, whatever it costs,” Eddie Hearn told MMA Fighting. “He injects an enthusiasm and a vibrancy into the UFC that no one else can. There is no one in the sport who can make it happen for the UFC and MMA like Conor McGregor.” 

“When he comes back, the press conferences, the build up, the value of the business, the ratings, the pay-per-view numbers [all increase],” Hearn explained. 

Without a victory since 2020, McGregor’s most recent win came in the form of a first round high-kick and strikes knockout win over Hall of Fame inductee, Donald Cerrone inside just 40-seconds at the welterweight limit.

Do you think Conor McGregor makes his comeback later this year?

Boxing Promoter Eddie Hearn hopes Leon Edwards ‘Smashes that geezer’ Colby Covington at uFC 296

Eddie HearnBritish boxing promoter Eddie Hearn doesn’t care much for mixed martial arts, but even he has found himself emotionally…

Eddie Hearn

British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn doesn’t care much for mixed martial arts, but even he has found himself emotionally invested in Leon Edwards’ showdown against Colby Covington at UFC 296.

On Thursday, Edwards and Covington took the stage alongside other members of the UFC 296 main card at a press event inside T-Mobile Arena. It didn’t take long for ‘Chaos’ to take over the festivities, delivering a series of jabs to his opponent and other panelists that fell within the range of light-hearted to semi-distasteful. However, Covington clearly crossed the line when he made an absolutely vile comment about Leon Edwards’ deceased father.

During one of the many back-and-forth exchanges between the pair, Covington took things to an unnecessarily personal level, drawing the ire of fans and media members alike.

“I’m bringing you to the seventh layer of hell,” Covington told Edwards, before adding: “We’ll say ‘What’s up’ to your dad while we’re there.”

Edwards’ father was shot and killed in a London nightclub when the MMA star was just 13 years old. ‘Rocky’ has since said he believes the motive of the murderer was a dispute over money. 

Understandably upset, Edwards chucked a bottle at Covington before the two fighters stood up from their seats. Security quickly intervened, preventing things from escalating further. While getting both fighters back to their chairs, Covington continued pandering to the pro-America crowd in his elementary-level cosplay.

Eddie Hearn Condemns Covington’s ‘Horrible’ comment

Speaking with IFL TV, Eddie Hearn condemned Covington’s press conference comments, saying:

“I don’t know anything about UFC, I’ve met Leon a couple of times, lovely fella — I hope he smashes that geezer to pieces tomorrow night. Like, how can you say that? I know you can get carried away, but you’ve got to have some kind of compassion. That’s a horrible thing to say.”

Do you agree with Eddie Hearn? Did Covington go too far, or is there simply nothing considered off-limits in the fight game anymore?

Colby Covington goes into his third shot at the welterweight world title having gone 2-2 in his last four outings dating back to 2019. During that run, ‘Chaos’ suffered losses against then-champion Kamaru Usman on two separate occasions while scoring wins over Tyron Woodley and Jorge Masvidal, two fighters who have since retired from the sport following a series of defeats.

Eddie Hearn doubts UFC alum Francis Ngannou will even be able to Hurt Tyson Fury: ‘He can’t win a round’

Eddie Hearn claims Francis Ngannou has no chance of winning a round against Tyson Fury UFC BoxingBoxing promoter, Eddie Hearn gives Francis Ngannou little chance to even hurt Tyson Fury in their upcoming bout next…

Eddie Hearn claims Francis Ngannou has no chance of winning a round against Tyson Fury UFC Boxing

Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn gives Francis Ngannou little chance to even hurt Tyson Fury in their upcoming bout next weekend.

In just over a wee, Fury and Ngannou are set to do battle in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in what will be a ten round boxing exhibition. Ngannou is set to earn a a sizeable paycheque and it will be a great achievement following his departure from the UFC, however most people are giving him no chance. 

Fury is the reigning WBC champion, the Englishman’s record stands at 33-0-1 and is unique talent with his mixture of size, speed and movement. 

Eddie Hearn doubts Francis Ngannou

Talking to Boxing Social, Eddie Hearn discussed the upcoming matchup. While Ngannou is certainly a talented MMA fighter, the Matchroom Boxing promoter doesn’t think that this will matter and believes Francis Ngannou would even be able to compete past the halfway point.

“Whatever Tyson wants to do,” Hearn began. “If it’s fought at any kind of pace, I don’t feel like Francis Ngannou can physically do more than four, five rounds. I don’t mean that disrespectfully. They’re not used to that kind of fighting. I know MMA is still high intensity, but trust me, you’ll see. (H/T Boxing Social)

“Fury may play with him and just hold him up. If Fury wants to, he’ll stop him in the first round, no problem. If not, he’ll school him, get him to gas out and stop him on his feet.”

Fury’s chin is also one of note, taking everything that the hard hitting Deontay Wilder had to throw at him. Hearn says that Ngannou, who is known for his power, might not even be able to hurt Fury

“He can’t win a round. He can’t hurt him. He could actually put his chin out and let Ngannou hit him clean and it wouldn’t bother him, honestly. They’re not strikers like boxers.”

Do you agree with Eddie Hearn?

Ex-UFC star Nate Diaz responds to Eddie Hearn’s criticism of Jake Paul fight: ‘Keep my name outta your mouth’

Nate DiazNate Diaz snapped back at Eddie Hearn after the British boxing promoter had some harsh words about the former UFC star’s pro boxing debut earlier this month. On August 5, Diaz stepped inside the squared circle for the first time to take on social media sensation Jake Paul. Emanating from American Airlines Center in Dallas, […]

Nate Diaz

Nate Diaz snapped back at Eddie Hearn after the British boxing promoter had some harsh words about the former UFC star’s pro boxing debut earlier this month.

On August 5, Diaz stepped inside the squared circle for the first time to take on social media sensation Jake Paul. Emanating from American Airlines Center in Dallas, Diaz and Paul delivered an entertaining 10-round affair that ultimately saw ‘The Problem Child’ walk away with his seventh career victory via a decisive unanimous decision.

While a majority of fight fans were enthused by Paul’s performance and the mid-fight antics of Nate Diaz, not everyone was appreciative of the pair’s efforts. Specifically Eddie Hearn, who slammed the fight during an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.

“It was awful, I’m watching that thinking ‘This is so bad’,” Hearn said. “The reason that Nate didn’t get stopped is because Jake doesn’t know how to break a fighter down, cut off the ring, beat him up, and stop him. But I give my props to Nate, super tough. But you’re talking about low, low level in terms of standard” (h/t MMA News).

Nate Diaz Issues a Warning to Eddie Hearn

Getting wind of Hearn’s comments, Nate Diaz snapped back on social media, suggesting that the boxing personality keep the Diaz name out of his mouth.

“Eddie Hearn I’ll beat all ur fighters a**es,” Diaz wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Lightweight middleweight Heavyweights any weight all of them will get f*cked up. And unless it’s complimentary keep my name outta your mouth cause u might get it also. And fighters check your promoter so he doesn’t get u guys punked.”

Much to Eddie Hearn’s chagrin, Nate Diaz could potentially choose to strap on the 10-ounce gloves once more before making a return to the UFC. Considering the recent reports that his pay-per-view scrap with Jake Paul drew over 500,000 buys in the United States, nobody could blame both fighters for jumping into a rematch and cashing in on what they built in the Lone Star State.