Eddie Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya have long had a tense relationship in the world of boxing promotion, with both vying for dominance in the U.S. market. Hearn, who heads Matchroom Boxing, has made significant strides in recent years, challenging the old guard of American promoters. Meanwhile, Oscar De La Hoya, the face of Golden Boy Promotions, has been critical of Hearn’s achievements, claiming that the British promoter hasn’t “built anything” in the U.S.
The battle for control over the sport’s biggest stars and events has intensified as both promoters boast strong stables of fighters. De La Hoya, once considered a pioneer in modern boxing promotion, has seen some high-profile losses, including Canelo Alvarez leaving Golden Boy. Hearn, on the other hand, has been expanding his reach in the U.S., signing top talents like Shakur Stevenson and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. The friction between the two has only escalated with De La Hoya’s latest comments.
In response to De La Hoya’s criticism, Hearn didn’t hold back. Speaking to Boxing Social, Hearn rattled off the names in his U.S. stable, emphasizing the caliber of fighters under his banner. “Shakur Stevenson, Jaron Ennis, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez-these are the names shaping the future of boxing,” Hearn asserted. He also pointed out that De La Hoya, despite his illustrious past, had recently lost key fighters like Jaime Munguia and, of course, Canelo Alvarez, who had been a cornerstone of Golden Boy Promotions.
Hearn wasn’t shy about digging into De La Hoya’s recent setbacks. “Canelo left him a long time ago, and Munguia has gone to Top Rank. Ryan Garcia? Who knows what’s going to happen there,” he said. The jabs continued as Hearn questioned the current state of De La Hoya’s roster, insinuating that the Golden Boy is losing his grip on the sport. “Tell me one fighter who is a star that they have right now,” Hearn quipped, casting doubt on the future of Golden Boy Promotions.
But it wasn’t just about taking shots at his competitor. Hearn was quick to highlight his own successes, particularly with young rising stars like Rodriguez.“Bam Rodriguez is doing big things,” Hearn said proudly. He also mentioned that while Shakur Stevenson and Boots Ennis have yet to reach their full potential in the U.S., their future in the sport looks bright under his guidance.
Hearn dismisses De La Hoya’s criticism, asserts Matchroom’s U.S. boxing dominance Is inevitable
As for De La Hoya’s remarks about Hearn focusing more on the U.K. than the U.S., Hearn dismissed them as irrelevant. “It’s all smoke and mirrors,” he said. “We’re building something real here, and it’s only a matter of time before the world sees it.”Hearn’s confidence in his strategy was palpable, and he made it clear that he believes Matchroom’s influence in the U.S. will only grow stronger.
Hearn also made sure to address the looming presence of Ryan Garcia, the social media sensation who, despite his popularity, has struggled with consistency in the ring. “Ryan could be a big deal, but he’s got to start winning fights,”Hearn said, noting the uncertainty surrounding Garcia’s future with Golden Boy.
Ultimately, Hearn’s message was clear: he’s in the U.S. market to stay, and he’s determined to prove his critics wrong. “Oscar can say whatever he wants, but the reality is, we’re here, and we’ve got the talent to back it up,”Hearn concluded.
As the rivalry between Hearn and De La Hoya intensifies, one thing is certain: the future of boxing promotion in the U.S. will be shaped by their ongoing battle for supremacy. And with rising stars like Stevenson, Ennis, and Rodriguez under his wing, Hearn seems poised to take the lead.
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