Eddie Hearn has revealed the one fighter from years gone by he’d choose to promote over anyone else, and it should come as no surprise that it’s the great Muhammad Ali.
Hearn has established himself as one of the best promoters on the planet over the past decade, whilst Ali remains perhaps the most recognisable boxer of all-time.
‘The Greatest’ was involved in a host of iconic fights, including ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ against George Foreman as well as his epic trilogy with Joe Frazier.
Speaking to Andre Ward on his podcast All The Smoke Fight, the Matchroom admitted that the charmingly, braggadocious Ali didn’t have much need for a mouthpiece.
“I mean, he probably didn’t even need a promoter, but you’d have to say Ali.
“He had it all. You talk about superstar status and you talk about ability – there’s the two combined.”
Unfortunately for Hearn, Ali had the last of his 61 professional bouts in 1981, when the Brentwood man was just two-years-old.
Remarkably, 92-year-old Bob Arum – whose Top Rank outfit are one of Matchroom’s chief rivals – was involved in several of the Kentucky legend’s bouts, including ‘The Thrilla in Manilla’ against Frazier in 1975.
In Matchroom HQ in Essex, a huge portrait of Muhammad Ali famously knocking out Sonny Liston reportedly hangs on one of the walls, so the 43-year-old’s answer should come as little shock.
Though, none are perhaps on the same level of superstardom as Ali, Hearn has worked with some of boxing’s biggest names currently, including Anthony Joshua and Canelo Alvarez.
His most recent high-profile acquisition came just a matter of days ago in the form of three-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson, who defends his WBC lightweight world title against long-time Hearn charge, Joe Cordina in Saudi Arabia on October 12.
The #BeterbievBivol card is official ✅
What’s the best fight on the undercard?#Boxing pic.twitter.com/wmymcO5qpU
— Pro Boxing Fans (@ProBoxingFans) August 20, 2024
Joshua, who remains the crown jewel of the Matchroom collection, aims to become a three-time heavyweight world champion against Daniel Dubois on September 21st, a feat only achieved by Ali and three other men.
