In this video interview with FightHype, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn talks about the number of Al Haymon fighters who don’t keep an active schedule and why he thinks it’s holding them back.
Hearn on if he thinks Haymon fighters have a problem fighting once a year:
“Listen, I see a lot of U.S. fighters at the moment who think it’s acceptable to box once a year, where while you’re waiting a show you might get a bit more money. You might get a bag of cash, you might get a couple of necklaces, and it’s all alright. It’s not!
“That’s not how you build a career. It’s not how you build a profile. That’s not how you improve as a fighter. You know, I look at a lot of those guys — I mean it was hilarious watching all of them on Saturday [during the Garcia-Porter fight], drunk and going around the Barclays.
“But I also looked at it and said ‘what sort of image is this for young fighters to be portraying?’ You’re just running wild in the Barclays, drinking and shouting and you got all chains around you going ‘I’m only fighting once a year but I don’t care because fuckin’ I got money!’ That ain’t what it’s about!
“So you look at clever fighters like Tevin Farmer [who recently signed with Hearn] who, if he wins on Oct. 20, he’ll probably box on December 8th or 15th. He’s making a lot of money and he’s improving as a fighter. You look at the other guys, Gervonta Davis boxed once this year. He ain’t fighting in December, you see the size of him?! And I love Gervonta Davis, I think he’s unbelievable and I like him as a person.
“You know, the Charlos or those kind — he says ‘Yeah, date coming soon, December!’ That’s what Errol Spence said when he boxed Kell Brook in May...next thing it’s January or February. So, you know, we’ll see. We’ll see. But we just gotta keep doing our thing. And one thing we’re guaranteeing fighters is activity. No bullshit — ‘Yeah you’re fighting December, man. By the way here’s $50k...and remember, we’re on your side.’ Fuck, y’know, you gonna fall for that?!”