“That’s Just Ridiculous”: Boxing Promoter Eddie Hearn Slams Billion-Dollar Budget Claim by Stephen Espinoza in the Most Recent Interview

Eddie Hearn and Stephen Espinoza are two big names in the world of boxing. Moreover, the rivalry between the duo is also well-known. Boxing is a sport that has a lot of money involved and as such tempers flare up easily when profits are mentioned. Being big boxing promoters in their own rights, they don’t see eye to eye with one another and have different outlooks on the best way to promote fights.

In fact, Stephen Espinoza has previously called out Hearn, Kalle Sauerland along with Conor Benn as an “embarrassment to sports”. His criticism came after the whole failed drug test debacle. Notably, Conor Benn revealed that he is planning to legally sue the BBBofC and later, however, apologized for the same. It seems the duo will not see eye to eye at the very least.

Espinoza has recently, come out with criticism for Hearn during an interview. He made some claims about Eddie running out of money from his billion-dollar budget. This prompted a response from Hearn.

Stephen Espinoza’s claims about Hearn: “He doesn’t have the billion dollars anymore”

In a recent interview with Boxing Social at the Gervonta Davis–Ryan Garcia fight week, Espinoza once again criticized Hearn. During the interview Espinoza talked about various topics with Matt Lenihan such as the main event, and negotiations between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. He also shared his relationship with Eddie Hearn for whom he had a few words of advice to say.

Lenihan asked Stephen Espinoza if he would be willing to work with Hearn, given how much back-and-forth takes place between the duo. Espinoza first revealed that he and Eddie haven’t talked with each other for a while now. He shared that the reason for it is that Hearn likes to directly talk to the fighter. A strategy that has not worked out according to Espinoza.

Espinoza said, “His strategy in the past has been, ‘lemme text the fighter directly, lemme email the fighter directly'”. He went further and clarified his statement and said that Hearn is a grown man and that he can use whatever strategy he wants. However, he asserts that it’s alright for him to point out that the strategy hasn’t worked for him in the past.

Espinoza went on and advised Hearn to be more humble instead of making everyone his enemy, claiming “I have a billion dollars, and I’m going to take over the industry”. He then said that Hearn’s business model isn’t good and told Hearn to be more Flexible. He goes on further and says that Hearn has to change his tactics now as “he doesn’t have the billion dollars anymore”.

Espinoza remains open to working with Hearn if a business opportunity arises.

Eddie Hearn responds to Stephen Espinoza: “That’s just ridiculous”

In an interview with iFL TV, Hearn gave his response to the claims made by Espinoza. The interviewer told Hearn that when he talked with Espinoza, he said, “What has Eddie Hearn done since he came here?” He also revealed that Espinoza also criticized Matchroom’s performance in the US.

Hearn clarified that the budget was spread over eight years, and they have only completed five so far. He also dismissed the idea of blowing the budget simply saying, “That’s just ridiculous”.

Hearn acknowledged that he was arrogant and bullish when he first arrived in the US. But he refused to change his outspoken personality. Hearn asked, “But that’s me, what do you want from me?” He believes that his confidence and arrogance helped him reach his current position.

However, he has also learned to be more mindful of how his words may affect others and has become humble over time. Hearn said, “I have calmed down I’m much better in situations where I don’t say things to upset people”. He also asked Espinoza to not say things about him not having done much in America. Hearn claimed that they have done “biggest shows consistently over the last couple of years”.

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Despite the criticism, Hearn remains committed to his goal of making Matchroom a success in the US. He believes that his company has made significant progress in the past five years and is confident that it will continue to improve in the future.

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