Sports journalist:
Eddie Hearn reacts to Romero-Ryan Garcia fight cancellation
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed his disappointment over the scratch-off of the eagerly anticipated showdown between Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero and Ryan Garcia. The bout’s canned status has sparked a widespread reaction from many quarters, with Hearn being the latest to weigh in on the issue. Parallels can be drawn to Tim Tszyu’s forthcoming match-up against Keith Thurman, which the English promoter also has been questioning as a serious pay-per-view (PPV) seller.
Matchroom Boxing’s Hearn reportedly said, “I was looking forward to Rolly vs Ryan Garcia, it’s a shame it’s not happening.” The fight was seen as a spotlight opportunity for the undefeated Garcia to command further mainstream recognition, while Romero would have had the chance to solidify his position in the lightweight rankings. Hearn did not elaborate on the speculated reasons behind the fight’s cancellation, but he showed regret for the missed thrilling fight anticipated by the boxing community.
Tzyu vs Thurman: A Speculative PPV Seller?
Looking ahead, Eddie Hearn clearly expressed uncertainty about Tszyu vs Thurman’s potential as a good PPV event. He conveyed skepticism over the Australian’s first professional fight in the United States scheduled against former champion Thurman.
Hearn reportedly remarked, “I am not so sure about Tszyu vs Thurman as a big PPV seller.” While acknowledging Tszyu’s thunderous knockout victories and his explosive power in the ring, Hearn also highlighted Thurman’s come-back potential after a nearly three-year hiatus. However, he tempered his comments by expressing doubts over whether the fight could draw a large PPV audience international.
Contemplating the Boxing Environment
These remarks from Hearn reflect the tumultuous and unpredictable nature of scheduling professional boxing matches amid a global pandemic and the challenges promoters face trying to strike the right balance between creating exciting match-ups and guaranteeing boxers’ financial demands. With pay-per-view revenues being a crucial income stream for professional boxing, it’s more important than ever for bouts to draw in large viewing figures.
A successful PPV must captivate audiences and build anticipation. Yet, matches like Tszyu vs Thurman, despite their immense potential, may struggle to generate large-scale interest due to various factors, such as the fighters’ relative obscurity on the international scene and the unpredictability of the sport in general.
That said, boxing is a sport where a single punch can change fortunes. Fans worldwide will be tuned in to Boxing with bated breath, keen to see if Tszyu vs Thurman will confound Hearn’s expectations and emerge as a PPV sensation.
To conclude, Eddie Hearn’s take on the cancellations and the potential revenue compromises in the PPV fights has underlined the challenges faced by promoters and reignited the discussion about the dynamics of showcasing and selling fights in the robust yet unpredictable world of professional boxing.
