"I'm Calm": Eddie Hearn on the Creation of a New Boxing League
Matchroom Boxing CEO Eddie Hearn has responded to the agreement between Turki Alalshikh, head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, and TKO Group Holdings to create a new boxing promotion, which will be led by UFC President Dana White.
Hearn made it clear that he doesn’t see this initiative as a threat but rather as an opportunity to grow the sport. He also shared his thoughts on the potential unification of all championship belts across weight classes.
"We knew about this... I believe the first talks began about a year ago. Over the last three months, we were just waiting for the official announcement. Some of the statements from Turki and Dana White may have unsettled promoters and governing bodies in boxing.
As for me—I'm calm. This is very exciting. If people like Dana White and TKO want to enter boxing, it only proves how strong the sport is. I disagree with Dana and Turki on the claim that boxing is 'broken.' The sport is actually in great shape. It has always been at the top, going through different cycles. Boxing has always been hot, and now Turki has made it even hotter.
There’s still another level we can reach. Could this new league be the way to get there? Maybe. It seems that TKO has secured the ESPN deal from Top Rank, which is a huge asset for them, along with their strong business model and promotional reach. I want to see more details about this league. I don’t know if we’ll be involved, but I do know that we have a great relationship with Dana.
We run a massive business—over 35 shows a year worldwide, with major TV deals. We were doing fine before Riyadh Season tournaments, and we’ll be fine after them. I love working with Turki Alalshikh and appreciate the opportunities he’s creating for fighters.
Will this league lead to a single champion in every weight class? Based on Dana's comments, that seems to be their goal. This has been discussed many times before. The idea of one belt per division isn’t revolutionary—people have talked about it for years. But, to be honest, the financial resources to make it happen never existed until now.
That said, I wouldn’t underestimate the value of the four major world championship belts for fighters. They represent legacy, history, and the fact that their idols once held these titles. Plus, when there's only one champion, a lot of fighters lose their chance to compete for a title.
Are promoters and governing bodies worried? Many have taken note of the talk about 'eliminating competition.' But if you run a strong business and believe in what you do… honestly, I’m not too concerned.
We have a big company. I consider myself the best promoter in boxing. I have plenty of energy, and I’m ready for any challenge. I don’t see this as a conflict between us, Dana, and Turki. On the contrary, this is another step forward for boxing, and we’re ready to support it," Hearn stated.