In the intricate web of professional boxing, it is not uncommon for promoters to throw verbal jabs at the opposing camp. This time, Matchroom Boxing’s chief Eddie Hearn has taken aim at Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson, questioning their billing potential. Meanwhile, Hearn argues that Devin Haney and Regis Prograis, two of his marquee fighters, are bigger draws in boxing.
In a recent interview, Eddie Hearn fired shots at Teofimo and Shakur, stating that their sales do not measure up to those of Haney and Prograis. The promoter’s comments come amidst a flurry of verbal exchanges between the mentioned fighters, as Haney and Prograis await mandatory challenges for their respective world titles held by Lopez and Stevenson.
Known for his sharp tongue and immense marketing skill, Hearn elaborated on their prospect, saying, “The facts are there. The numbers, the sales, they don’t lie. Haney and Prograis are big names in the world of boxing, and rightly so. Their track record is proof enough. They’re phenomenal athletes, they’re exciting in the ring, and they generate the ticket sales and viewership numbers.”
Hearn has never been one to shy away from grabbing headlines, and his recent comments echo his belief that Haney, a starlight in the lightweight division, and Prograis, a former super-lightweight world champion, are above Lopez and Stevenson in terms of sales. Teofimo and Shakur, on the other hand, have consistently argued that they are among the sport’s most significant draws.
The British promoter, Hearn, however, is not one to yield easily. He was quick to point out previous ticket sales and pay-per-view numbers to back his claims. “Haney’s last fight was a sold-out event with record pay-per-view numbers,” he said. “Prograis generated massive numbers during his time as world champ. It’s all right there in black and white.”
In response to Hearn’s claims about their sales, Lopez and Stevenson’s camps have remained relatively silent. It might be a strategy to stay quiet and let the in-ring performances speak for themselves, or they might be preparing a counter-argument. Only time will tell.
Devin Haney and Regis Prograis are unquestionably two of boxing’s biggest names. Haney has a solid record of 26-0, while Prograis carries a 26-1 record with his only loss coming in a hotly contested fight against Josh Taylor in 2019. Both have shown time and time again that they can sell tickets and that they are crowd favorites.
Meanwhile, Teofimo Lopez also boasts a perfect record of 16-0 and, as a unified world champion, has beaten some of boxing’s biggest names. Shakur Stevenson, too, is developing into a superstar with an unbeaten record of 16-0. However, whether their recognition translates to the level of revenue generation claimed by Hearn remains a topic of debate.
The boxing world will have to wait and see if Hearn’s claims about Haney and Prograis being bigger names in the sales department than Lopez and Stevenson will be substantiated in their forthcoming fights. The competition is fierce, and it’s not just about who has the better record or who’s the better fighter. As Hearn has emphasized, it’s also about who can draw more eyeballs and who can put more fans in the seats.
While the final word remains pending, this war of words has undoubtedly added fuel to the boxing landscape’s fire, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
