Eddie Hearn FIRES BACK at Dana White, ANNOUNCES Ian Garry Signing, Blasts Bisping for Aspinall Hate

We have so much to talk to Eddie Hearn about.Let's bring in the big man, who is here, once again, joining us in studio.Yes, there he is.Eddie Hearn.

How are you, sir?

I don't want to do a lot of interviews these days.

I actually had a week of no interviews.

I know, people are starting to wonder, huh?

I did one yesterday and people go, oh, he's back, he's crawled out from under his rock.I just thought, one week, just chill.

They like hearing from you.They do, apparently.Do you mind putting the microphone to your mouth so we can hear you completely?I'm new to this game, sorry.It's just a small operation here.You know, we're working through the kinks.

Do you ever worry about oversaturation?

Yeah.I mean, to be honest, in the past, like I've always been told, like, you know, don't do too much, but it's kind of like it's a reactive industry.So if someone says something like Frank Warren was always the, the, um, the kind of genius at that.So I would come out and do an interview and he would phone the media and say, right, I need you here now.I need to do something.And it's, but then you, you find yourself kind of going backwards and forwards.

And it's, I think people can get a little bit bored of that as well.So it's like, you know, and I've wanted to, especially with the Dana stuff, I've wanted to really embrace that because it's been so big for me in America.So I'm kind of wanting to do more and more, but just took a week.just chill and then we go again.

I've heard you say this.It's so big for you.You're loving it.You don't want it to go away.You don't want to make peace.This is amazing.

But how do you quantify that?How do you know, other than people coming up to you on the street, as you say, that's really, that's really the response.

I mean, you know, obviously the numbers, but really the, the kind of interaction.with the actual audience.I mean, there's nothing more quantifiable than that.You know, you can look at stats and you can look at numbers, but when you're walking down the street of New York and someone screams out of the car, Eddie Hearn, yo, just give it to Dana.And it's like, okay, like you just, you feel it, you know, and the war, the war and peace stuff.Like I just said,

look, Turkey's friend, he's a partner, we don't always get on, and he wants to get me and Dana together and Nick Khan and try and sort of navigate, but at the same time, this is also the king of fuckery in Turkey LSH, he loves it.And I've never felt so alive in what I'm doing.than right now because this is my game and the 15 years with Frank Warren was arduous and it wasn't easy at times but I wouldn't change it for the world and now that we've become friends, which is nice, I have missed it a little bit.I live for that rivalry and I live for that competition and I feel like this is the biggest of the biggest in terms of that competition.Not the best of the competition but certainly the biggest and the most powerful.

What do you mean by not the best?

I just don't think, you know, Frank Warren is a Hall of Fame promoter, he's a maverick.He knows the game inside out.He'll work to his bone.He won't stop for 20...These are different kind of people.

They don't really understand the business and the game like they do in MMA, for example.I don't know.It's not just Dana, right?Well, Dana doesn't know any I mean he knows nothing about boxing, but And all these guys like, you know, people said to me yesterday.Oh, what did you think at a White House?You know, was it good?

I said mate it was Unbelievable, right as a promoter that event was incredible and I give up I'm pretty sure like if it's good and the boxing products not and it's July next week Like it's you know, it's been seven months and it's obviously that's my competitor.So we've gone from Dana I mean, never being up my ass, but telling me I'm an incredible promoter, I'm the only one in boxing that really does it right, to this guy's got no vision, they don't know what they're doing, and it's just like, it's very political, because it's like the king has no clothes.you know It's kind of like look at what we're doing in boxing right now, but no one actually breaks down what they are doing Which is basically just overpaying fighters and giving them easy fights and putting on poor product But they are powerful people and Nick and those kind of people then they're not, you know, they're gonna be players But at the moment, I don't feel like there's this product out there that's superseding what we're doing You know, we're with 19 shows in this year through the halfway stage, we've got another huge fight a year.I thought you only did six shows this year?

Apparently, no, three or four, which again, no one really questions them.You go to these interviewers, your buddies, and they're sitting there taking it, come on.How do you feel about that?

I mean, I say to them, I have felt calm, but also, I also get the game, but look, you're a maverick, right?You decided to be that guy.

I don't even have to be a maverick to back check someone.

No, but it costs you.The access didn't cost me anything.I know but no, but not not in terms of your your, you know Regretful about it or it's affected your business or your position, but ultimately I don't know the exact history But if you question them you will get removed you will get banned What you don't see behind the scenes is is that before these interviews those guys?I don't want to put those guys in it because they all tell me like they have to approve the questions and And they have to receive the interview first before it's allowed to go out.Serious?Yeah.

And I feel like that's a handicap to me.Because I just sit down with IFL and Coleman and do an hour off the bat.Most of the time I'm just spouting absolute random stuff.Probably stuff that I shouldn't even be saying.But it's raw and it's real and it's from the heart and it's the truth.It's never...

You know, it's the same now with some of these fighters that have signed them.You're not allowed to do interviews with them unless you let them know the questions that are going to be asked.

For me, that's bullshit.

But again, this is what you're dealing with.You're dealing with control freaks.

you're drilling you're dreaming with people who like to you know have complete domination over the narrative and what they're doing so Okay, I want to actually wasn't planning on getting into all of this off the bat I wanted to talk about Saturday night, but they're telling me in my ear right now There was a big announcement that was just made seconds ago literally as you're sitting here Regarding Ian Machado Gary the number one contender in the welterweight division.So, can you please tell me what this news is?

Yeah, the news is huge and the news is that we have signed Ian Machado Gary to the Matchroom Talent Agency to join Tom Aspinall as our second UFC fighter We've taken our time to be honest with you because what we've done with Tom is has been quite incredible and we'll come back to that because this is Ian's moment and I want to talk about how special he is and through that signing we had like over a dozen UFC guys or MMA guys come to us and say how do we be a part of this can we get representation with you guys and we're not looking to be we're a sports agency we're looking to represent high -profile global stars across sport and entertainment not not MMA but Of all the approaches that we had, I don't even think Ian was an approach.I think I actually reached out to him because I know his team and everybody around it.And I looked at this guy for a long time and I love his spirit.I love his personality.He's a good, tall, good -looking guy who speaks incredibly well.And I've long felt that this is a guy that I actually think has the attributes to be a superstar.

As I learned more about the sport, how good he is, we met, we had a lot of deep conversations and talked a lot of strategy.And then of course, finally secured the big fight, and particularly with our work in Ireland and understanding the country and the audience and how passionate they are for their own, I just felt like this was the guy that we wanted to bring to the team.and I couldn't be happier because you know again these guys they get it in Gary has the potential to be a crossover star now he's got to do the business in the Octagon and our relationship is not it's different to Tom's deal you know now we're a lot more strategic with Tom on the UFC side now With Ian, this is commercial, this is about building his brand, you know, driving revenue to him with partners.And again, we'll come on what we've done with Tom is incredible, but you know, this, this is purely to, to work on his profile, his commercial brand, um, you know, and we're really, really pleased to do it because I wasn't sure how many more UFC fighters I wanted to add to the roster.And this was the guy that I really wanted.And I believe he wins in August.

And we're also back in that fact that if and when he wins in August, he becomes a superstar.Yes.Not just of the sport, but of sport.And I really, really am extremely proud to be representing him.

Okay.There's a lot to digest there.And I was seeing from the corner of my eye, we were playing a clip of you guys together.So when did this all happen?When did you shoot that?Yeah, this has been going on for quite some time.

When did you sign him?Good few weeks ago.Okay, and obviously we wanted to wait for the right time and obviously make sure that His fight was locked in and we knew were you afraid that if you announced it before the fight was announced?That they would take the fight away from not necessary.You know, I mean this is again like from a UFC perspective, Ian knows where he is, right?He always wants to, you know, make sure that he gets what he deserves.

But this isn't about having a conversation.We won't be having dealings with the UFC regarding Ian Gary.That contract, he's set, he's got his fight coming up.It's very different to the Tom scenario.So, no, I didn't feel like this was a sort of confrontational sign in with, you know, this isn't about, I know people like to run the narrative of, oh, you know, the Aspinall sign in was just Eddie, this isn't about that.nothing to do with it.

I look at Iain Gary as a potential superstar of sport.And I'm building a representation agency of representing great athletes with high commercial power and demand.And Ian sits within that mold.So yeah, this isn't about us having to have meetings with UFC.He's got his own team of people that do that side.This is about - So he's also with Vayner.

Correct.

They're his management.Absolutely.You're still there.

Absolutely.

So you're just doing what?Marketing, sponsorship?Marketing, commercial, his brand.

I mean, all this stuff that we've been doing so well with Tom and having huge success.And again, when that fight got locked in, that's the fight.That's the breakout fight.I mean, I'm still, I'm getting much more educated now across MMA, but I'm still a casual, but I know the size of that fight.And I, I'm just delighted to be on his team because when he sits down and he talks about that fight, I look at him in the eye and see a man possessed.And I'm like, I know the mountain he has to climb.

I know the fact that he's an underdog going into the fight in some people's eyes, but I think he's going to win.And I think when he wins and you talk about, you know, all these conversations we've been having, Croke Park, you know, the power of the Irish people.You know, Ian wants that.Ian wants to fight at Croke Park.He wants to be that superstar, not just globally, but particularly from Ireland as well.And he's got this incredible nation behind him.

And I just feel like, who's driving the profile of these guys?Tom, I mean, I can't believe the success we've had with Tom, again, something we'll come on to, but like, who is behind driving these, you know, these guys aren't even getting invited.to the UFC event at the White House.You've got a load of random fighters sitting there, people who are shoved in your face.Who's driving the value of these guys?Because they're all incredible people.

They're all incredible athletes.They've all got unbelievable stories.And when you sit down with Ian Garry and you listen to him,and you he's so infectious and you're you're I'm looking at him thinking like you're a big star you can be a superstar especially if you get it right in the Octagon in August so yeah it's a it's a big move for us and we really took our time and we deliberated around a load of other fighters that we might move forward with and Ian was the one that we really identified as the guy that's just got that sparkle that twinkle in his eye.Will you attend the event?Yeah, I don't want to cause, you know, I'd love to, and I'd love to see Ian, you know, accomplish a dream and, you know, be a big part of that defining moment.

But at the same time, like, you know, again, there are two different situations.There's no beef.Ian's got his fight locked in with the UFC.Again, we'll be driving a lot around his fight and, you know, the profile and the build and all that kind of stuff.And our aim, I think when the dust settles, I actually think we're going to add a huge amount of value to the UFC.Like, if you think about what has happened to Tom's profile...

Okay, so tell me, tell me, what has changed?So what has changed is, in my opinion...I mean, firstly, he's making more money now.Outside of the octagon that he's making in it commercially, right?He's driven over seven figures already already in terms of commercial his own deal.What's own deal?

He's cloud bet deal.Okay, just another one that's about to be announced literally today.Okay Appearance.I mean he's podcast like this guy's Social numbers and digital numbers across his podcast, you know Charlie and the team.Yeah, really smart people Yeah, I mean they're doing huge numbers, but right now amongst all the commotion and all that noise, you've got a guy that is one of the most talked about guys on the UFC roster, in Tom Aspinall.Fact, right?

So, yeah, important that we're dry, but also, what we're doing in turn is, right, you have a fight in front of you, with Cyril Garne, against Tom Aspinall,that correct me if I'm wrong is one of the biggest fights then could get made in the UFC and Tom Aspinall right now sits as one of the biggest stars in the UFC so I think we're actually driving a huge amount of value not just for Tom but also for the UFC because they've got a monster fight on their hand with that if it can get made so We had a fighter on the show yesterday named Josh Hokett.

He's the one who made the con.And he insinuated that his next fight may be for a belt.And that led to some of us thinking, are they going to strip Tom?Because the only way he's fighting for a belt is if he's fighting Cyril Gan.They're not going to not give Cyril Gan Tom.And so Tom is like the question mark here.

Have you heard anything?

No, I mean, we've reached out to the UFC and we've told them, Andy Aspinall, who's got that relationship with Hunter and those guys, Tom's ready.What is their response to that?There's going to be a conversation coming up about date and numbers.

You don't think he'll be stripped?

I don't think we're not coming in there to cause a big argument.What we're coming in to say is that there is a huge amount of money in the fight between Cyril Gahan and Tom Aspinall.Now contractually, and the contract is a little bit out of date because it talks about pay -per -view and that obviously doesn't exist anymore, but contractually the numbers are, we'll veer on the peace side but just Completely unfair in terms of the value that Tom Aspinall brings into that fight Okay, so what we're asking for is just to be respected and we'll give it everything Tom will go in there in a very dangerous fight against a guy who you know as I as I learn more about the the UFC and MMA's clearly a dangerous fighter in in the respect of his ability, but also his ability to foul as well and andTom will be putting his legacy, his health, everything on the line in that fight to give you a fight that will be one of the biggest of the year and will generate a huge amount of money for your organization.Just respect the fighter.That's it.

And we're not difficult to work with.Tom's really not difficult to work with, but there has to be, that has to be acknowledged in my, in my opinion.And, you know, when I watch the, Pereira fight with gain I'm like I'm just kind of baffled with you know I mean you know you're gonna go into a fight and it's gonna be very dangerous and there's a very big chance that something's gonna happen like it's gonna try and pop your eyes out your socket or he's gonna hammer you on the back of the head and that's okay that's the the refs job but it's that kind of fight so just understand that if it's that kind of fight and there's a huge amount of money in the pot Let's respect the efforts of Tom Aspinall from his career and what he's done lately in terms of driving his value and his profile.And let's have a great fight.Let's, you know, and we'll have to see how that plays out.

Conor McGregor told us last week he had two fights left on his deal, but they restructured his contract because there's no pay -per -view anymore.Will you try to restructure the contract because there's no pay -per -view anymore?

Yeah, again, like, you know, there's a big team of us behind Tom's management.And I think when we started with Tom, And with Tom, are you more managerial as well?Yes, yes.I mean, we are across his UFC contract.We're across with our legal team.

It's different than...It is.

And it wasn't intentionally going to go that way.But as we've been working closer with Tom and Charlie and Andy, It's been unbelievable.We're such a great, tight -knit team who are having a lot of success across the board that they've wanted us to have our eyes across it and they want that kind of structure.So yeah, we appreciate that the contracts aren't necessarilyknow certainly need to be reviewed in terms of the pay -per -view structure of the deal because it doesn't exist anymore But again, it's not you know, this is not we want X we want X This is just guys like we can do a really big fire like aspirin.Okay, it's a great fight But you can't expect a guy to you know, I mean that I'm actually I'm not happy what happened with the prayer fight, but I feel like the reaction kind of gives a little bit more sympathy to Tom of what he went through, given the fact that people are kind of realizing actually what happened.

And when I met Tom Aspinall, actually I've said it to you before, I met actually, I think you know this as well, I met a guy that was a little bit, he was definitely suppressed and he was definitely kind of made to feel like he didn't really have a lot of value and he's a moaner and he's a sulker and get back in your box and do as you're told.Now I see a guy that's coming out to these public events with his chest up, you know, and feeling like he wants to go back in there, feeling like he's a star, and making money, and having his profile driven, and making him feel good about himself.And that's where he sits now.He's in a great place.So, you know, I'm not going to go on about it, but it's just, you know, and again, our demands aren't going to be...Insane they're just gonna mean that we can move forward and and create a great fight for For MMA to the best your knowledge.

He's medically cleared.He can face.

He's ready.He's ready to resume training I'm ready to fight.He told me he would go to Paris and fight him and it doesn't care well I see it like, you know, this is a dangerous fight and people some people still refuse to acknowledge that he had four eye operations and was told quite clearly could have lost his vision right his sight and like you got to go back in there do the same kind of thing could could happen again right and this time it could.worse, or it could be a back of the head blow, or it could be all these other fails that you see.But you know it's gonna be that kind of fight, it's not gonna be easy.So if you're gonna put yourself through that, if you're gonna risk not just your legacy, but your health and beyond, I don't wanna get too negative about things, you gotta be respected.

And you know, As much as we want to, or they want to sort of ignore it or separate the two, I mean, I saw the Sean O'Malley stuff yesterday.I mean, you've literally got guys that are making more for an eight round fight against a guy that I would beat than Sean O'Malley fighting at the White House.

I mean, it's 600k.

He said that on the Full Send podcast.You've literally got, you know, obviously Johnny Fisher and like, it just doesn't make sense.And those guys need to stop being suppressed.Like, I'm just shocked by the kind of mindset of, oh well, there's nothing else we can do really.You know, it is what it is.And we just, you know, if we don't do it, we're just going to get benched.

So we've got to do it really.

You know, I can't, I can't understand that.

Like guys like Sean O'Malley, the guy's a superstar.The guy's a phenomenal fighter.He's just, he's just been made to feel like, I saw his interview.Well, yeah, you know, I got a bit more for that one and I got a good one, but cause I'm in the position I'm in now.That's really all you can get.It's like, what?

And there's a guy fighting on an undercard and like the fourth fight in an eight round boxing fight that's making more than you.You've just fought at a White House and you've done an incredible performance.So yeah, look, I mean, that's another game.But what matters to me is representing the people that we've signed.And that is Tom Aspinall and Ian Garry.

Are you done with MMA fighters after these two?

Not necessarily.

At least for now?

It would have to be.it's got to be someone like, I can't, you know, people felt that when, when we signed Tom Aspinall, people felt, oh yeah, yeah.What are you going to do with him commercially?This is what we do.You know, he will tell you, he'll tell you how much money we've made.Like he's absolutely flying, right?

And there's a whole new world out there for UFC fighters, but they feel like they don't have the value.And I look at Ian Gary, I can put Ian Gary in front of a brand, in front of a camera, across a podcast series, and the kid's a star.

What do you say to people, there's people like Michael Bisping out there who say that you're just using Tom as a pawn?

These are people that are on the payroll, right?These are people that have been suppressed themselves.And these are people that don't have any backbone about them, right?Michael Bisping, should be ashamed of what is being proposed to Tom Aspinall to be in a fight like Serial Game with that amount of money that is in the pot.He is a fighter.He should stand up for what's right for fighters.

So what are you saying Bisping?Do as you're told.Shut up.Take your money.That's all you're worth.There's 60 million in the pot, right?

Be quiet.You're getting 3 % of the pot.You're the fighter.You're putting your health on the line.You're the talent.You're the reason this organization is what it is.

And Bisping should be ashamed of himself for that.And I keep saying to Bisping, sit down with me live and we'll have a debate about it.And he'll never do it because he knows he can't say certain things, but he's a fighter.He should be standing up for the best interest of the fighter, not allowing fighters to be suppressed and bullied and told what to do or what to accept.The whole thing, and I see it more and more now across the UFC, across the White House.Why aren't these guys there?

The reason they're not there is because they don't want them to feel like they're a star.They don't want them to feel like they have value.Yet these guys, the likes of Sean O'Malley, he could walk around in New York City, he'd get mobbed.They're paying fighters 10, 15 million dollars for fights.They could walk around New York City, no one would even know who they are.So you need to grow some balls and you need to start fighting for what's right for you and your career.

and making sure you're respected for putting your life and your health on the line when you step through the octagon.Because you are the value, you are the talent, you are the star.Even Conor McGregor.Like, they've kind of done it like, I listen to him, I love Conor, but it's like, Conor, you are, you know, you're not the UFC, but for a long time, like, you are.Do you realize how powerful you are in this situation?Well, you know, I got a good deal.

Was it the right deal?Well, we met in the middle.Or, I'm like, I can't believe what I'm listening to, Conor McGregor.I'm like, wait.You're not the kind of guy who'll say, well, we met in the middle.You're the guy who'll sit there and go, I took him to the bank, baby, because I know what I am.

I'm Conor McGregor.But then you've got other guys saying I made 400, 500, 600.So yeah, it baffles me.And like Bisping and these guys, I don't really follow a lot of stuff, but sometimes people send it to me and stuff like that.And it's like, it is what it is with Bisping.I like the guy, great fire, great athlete.

Have you asked him privately to debate you?I sent him a DM, yeah.

I said, you know, I think I put it on my story or something.

I said, let's debate it.

Did he respond?No, he can't.You think Bisping's going to sit there with me and have a debate about the UFC and the pay structure?This is a dangerous game.But please, please be my guest.But he should like, he knows what's fair and what's not.

So like, You know, and again, different people, Ian Gary, no problem, fight, organized, UFC.guys dealing with his...

Is he happy with his contract?

I think every fighter wants to earn, feels like they have greater value than their contract suggests.

He said something very telling to me when we had him on Monday's show and I said, were you ever worried that you weren't going to get the fight because it was taking so long?And he said, and it kind of went over everyone's head, he said, I don't trust the UFC to do the right thing all the time.You don't often hear people say that.And so yes, I was worried, he said.And so that made me think, is he annoyed?Is he unhappy?

Is he feeling like he's not being treated as the man?Because he is the number one contender.

But at the same time, Ian Gary is about legacy, is about championships, and is about proving he's the best.And I think that money is important to all these guys, but Ian Gary really wants that opportunity.And now he has it.So I think that he also feels like if he gets that victory, he will be in a great position.You know, I mean, whenever we sign a UFC guy, everyone always presumes that they're moving to boxing, right?And actually, that's actually not the case.

I mean, Ian's a bit different.He's had 300 amateur boxing fights.You know, he's telling me that he could knock this guy out, that guy out, and who knows in the future?I think Ian is more geared to that world.Tom, not.And that's never been part of the discussions, you know?

But I think Ian is chasing greatness.And that's one of the things that attracted me to him in our conversations.It wasn't, how much money are you going to get me?It was like, I want to be the best.I want to prove that I am the best in this sport.And he's got that opportunity to do it in August.

So, you know, we gamble with him that we believe he's going to do it.And when he does, he will be, with his character, his personality, his look, everything around it.He'll be a huge, huge player in this game.

A few weeks ago when you threw out the offer, if you will, like, hey, release Tom Aspinall, I'll pay him five timesyou said, and we'll have this in writing, and I'll drop the Conor Benn stuff.Dana's response was, all right, release Bam Rodriguez.Bam's very happy.Bam's making a load of money.

Bam's receiving well over market value.Bam doesn't want to leave.If Bam wanted to leave, and I was underpaying him, I would say he's got a very strong argument.My response to that was, he was talking about Conor Benn, and he was saying, you should be happy for Conor Benn.All right, whenever a guy gets a chance to earn five times more, 10 times more, you should be happy for him.So all I said was, okay, be happy for Tom Aspinall, release him.

Oh, you're not releasing Tom Aspinall?Well, you're not happy for him, are you?So what, you're gonna deny him the opportunity to make money that will secure him financially for life and his family and his children.You're gonna deny him that opportunity by not being fair?You can't have it both ways.I mean, there's so much contradiction.

goes on, like in the statements, in everything.So that was my response to that, is if you feel like fighters deserve to get great opportunities and to earn as much money as they can in a very limited timeframe, let them do it.

So - And obviously they didn't respond to this.No, I mean, yeah.What do you make of his demeanor when he's up there and he's talking about like, it's always the same thing, judges at the end of the year, and does he know, call him up.

But no one asked the question, you know, when you talk about like, Judge us on our body of work this year.Okay, we're halfway through, right?If you're a Dana White fan or not, and I have been in it.I mean, how many times have I sat here and told you what an amazing job these guys do, right?The boxing product has been awful that they've put together.Bournemouth show, did you like it?

But what was the difference between that and a Ben Shalom show?Nothing.

It was better than the Apex.It was a step up.

Well done.But listen, they've gone from the Apex, now they're in, on Sunday, I can't give them a plug here, but on Sunday coming up they've got Belanga and, no, no, that's another one.Belanga and Hitchens.If you look at the seat map for that, they have sold, I'm talking a handful of tickets.So on a Sunday night, the card's awful, it's a load of one -sided fights, but When you're coming into the sport, this takes time, right?But don't come in and say, everyone's useless.

They've got no vision.These guys are terrible.Watch our body of work and then put on a load of dross, right?So you keep saying, judge me on what we're doing.Well, I'm judging you on what you're doing.And it's very low level.

Right now I know you want to sign Shakur and you want but signing guys like Shakur and Haney that that doesn't actually mean anything Is that a hundred percent?

I know you were the one that kind of broke.

I think so Yeah, I mean, I think again the problem is with these contracts.They want you to sign.They're not traditional contracts.So you've got incredible lawyers like John Horner for Devin Haney or Josh Dubin for Shakur who look at these contracts and go oh What?You want me to sign that?But obviously the money's incredible.

So, but again, one thing signing a talent, the next thing is actually delivering the right fights for the, for the broadcaster.And, and, you know, um, you, you know, these guys, are you surprised that they're signing with them?You know Haney, you know Shakur.Not for that amount of money.

I mean, it's more than what you were giving them.Really?

They will pay Devin Haney a lot more than double what I would pay Devin Haney, a lot more than double.You know, Shakur does that, but these are, you know, these are great fighters, but it's, you got to make the fights.

It's like, you know, I mean, they go wear uniforms and stuff to the best of their knowledge.Wear uniforms, wear gloves.I think they'll do it for the money.Yeah.

You know, I mean, everyone's different.You see,there's a lot of variation to the plan.You know, don't forget this was going to be a league by the way, wasn't it?I mean, that was the whole premise of what they were doing.Then there was absolutely no governing bodies.

We're not working with governing bodies.Then they got massive kickback from the fighters.Then they tried to work with governing bodies, but kind of balls that up and got all their fighters stripped or, or some of them stripped.Um, so I'm sure that they'll vary, uh, vary, uh, from the gloves or the kit or whatever.But I don't think, I don't really think there is a plan.I think it's just like, let's be disruptive, let's sign talent, and let's spend the money.

I mean, ultimately, it's not Dana's company.Dana works for Turk Elaşık, who's the biggest shareholder and seller of Zuffa Boxing.And how long will that funding carry from those guys?And how long will you be up for the battle?I think that's the bigger thing because There is no doubt that since Dana entered the boxing space, it seems like there's been a lot of high blood pressure.There's been a lot of raised voices.

There's been a lot of questions to ask.And there's been a lot of revolt from the other business, which is the UFC business.So I said, when I got into this, I'm like, this is, I'm not sure this is, you're going to enjoy it that much, but he's a, he's a competitor.He's a battler.And I don't take him personally.Lightly, I know what he is.

He's not gonna wanna but you heard his comments the other day Turkey wants, you know, peace talks.Yeah.Good luck with that.Yeah, that'll be the toughest thing he's ever had to do.

Okay, so I found interesting about that statement from Turkey just being a hundred percent honest and I just want to say before I say this I do wish him the best and he alluded to some health problems and no one wants to see anyone suffer But at the beginning of the statement, he said it's my goal to get everyone together and to create peace, right?But my response to that was like you kind of are the reason whythere is - He loves it.He loves it.So there was peace.There was peace until March of last year when he announced - I think he got a bit out of control.

I mean, a lot of this stuff stems around the AJ Fury stuff.Again, the media kind of don't acknowledge or sometimes see.So at the Bournemouth show, Dana came out with, I mean, he was on full, like, I don't know, get very sort of fruity and he's I know where the show I know what the fight is and all this kind of stuff and Turkey LSA made Dana White delete all his posts from Zuffa boxing while talking about he's the promoter of the show and I know where the show is and Eddie Hearn doesn't So it's quite embarrassing for someone like Dana White.You know that for a fact?You can check.They deleted four posts from the post -fight press conference saying that he's the promoter, saying that he knows where the fight is, saying all this kind of stuff.

So, and then after the White House stuff with Tyson Fury, he got told off again.by Turkey.And if you look then, Fury's posted all of a sudden, no, Turkey's my promoter, there's Turkey in the middle of me and AJ and all this kind of stuff.Because ultimately, Turkey's the guy that's putting this all together.He's the guy that's paying the bill.He's the guy that's having the vision to make these fights.

And I don't think he wants, he certainly doesn't want me Parading around pretending that I made fury against Joshua because he made it So then all of a sudden Dana comes in now.I'm the promoter.I've put this deal together He get he gets his bum smacked and that's what happened so I think now it's got to a point where actually Turkey is thinking that's just because they're in a bit of a difficult position because of the contract that exists for Anthony in the fire and if Well, because the contract's quite clear.Forget that Dana and Zuffa aren't allowed to be involved in it, which is contractually in place.But the venue, because our contract states very clearly the fight has to take place in the UK, only the UK.But at the same time, Turkey's paying the venue.

And he's our friend and he's our partner.And if he wants to change the venue, not the venue necessarily, but the country, which is a fundamental change to the contract, the contract needs to be renegotiated, which we're happy to have those conversations.If there's a reason he wants to take it to America, we can talk about that.

Has that been discussed?Has that been brought up?No, not yet.Is that a real thing though?Because it has been reported.I think so.

Why would they want to have it in the US?

I mean, look, the fight's very expensive.Obviously the fight will be with Netflix.They'll want to generate the biggest gate possible.People actually don't understand that you can generate probably a bigger gate in Las Vegas for that fight than you can at Wembley because of the ticket pricing and the expectations that are already set within that, that pricing.Um, but I don't, I think it's, it's minimal to be honest.But when we entered into the agreement for that fight, AJ wanted, I wanted, um, that fight to be in the UK.

It's the biggest fight in British boxing history.I'm not saying it would be a disaster if it went to the US, but it should be in the UK.That's just how we feel about it.And we went into that fight thinking it would be.Now, if we got to change that, and obviously there's different withholding tax issues in different countries, like the deal will change, which is possible as well.And people can say, oh, so you're saying the fight might be in the US.

Now I'm just telling you what's in our contract, but also, If there's a new deal that's presented to us, maybe that's acceptable to us.So we haven't had those conversations yet.

One of my least favorite storylines in, uh, in combat sports right now is who is promoting AJ Fury.I'm so bored by it.You do all these interviews about it.I skip right through it.Who cares?

We know who the guy is. I said yesterday, I said yesterday that contractually Dana White can have no involvement in the event.That's in writing?

Yes.

TKO Dana White or anyone affiliated.Okay.so far anything right it's complete in black and white same in Tyson Fury's contract actually okay So, and then I said yesterday, like if, if, if Turkey wants to change something in the contract, I was actually referring to the venue.Maybe we'll have the conversation and it'd be, oh, see Eddie knows Dana's involved.I'm like, I don't really, one thing I promise you is he's not going to be in the middle of that fight and it's not his fight.It's Turkey Alashake's fight.

It's not my fight.It's not Frank Warren's fight.By the way, it's AJ and Fury's fight.That's all that matters.But the guy that should be in the middle of that fight is the guy that made it happen.The fight wouldn't happen without Turk Alasek.

He's solely responsible for making this fight.So let him have his moment.And I know he's not a guy who's like, wants to always be in the middle of everything, but he should be for this fight.And listen, I'll be, I don't care.I'll be over on the side with AJ, my guy, because that's what I am in this fight.My guy is Anthony Joshua.

I'm his promoter.We're going into the biggest fight in history, the biggest fight in boxing, and that's what I am.I'm AJ's promoter.I don't care about, I wanna be in the middle.Like, yeah, do I want Dana White in the middle?Not really, to be honest with you.

You're gonna pay me a shitload of money to allow him to be in the middle?If that's in the best interest of my client, I'm not gonna stand in the way.I don't think that's even the play, to be honest with you.The only play really to talk about contractually, and the only change we'd be willing to make, Subject to the conversation is the venue because I'm not going to be obstructive to Turkey if he says to me Eddie I need to do it here.Then we'll cut a deal to the best your knowledge What happened with fury at the White House?Like what was that?

I mean, obviously they I don't know, you know, he said Turkey, but he's not been allowed to get into the u .s.For 10 years five six years.Yeah, and obviously thatchanged that, they got him and he was obviously ecstatic. AndAnd then I don't know whether it was just a bit of hype, big announcement coming to him.

It seemed like the announcer, John Anik, was teeing him up to make an announcement and he didn't wanna make it.

Maybe they got told off, I don't know.Or maybe someone said, what?Do you think he signed with Zufa?

I don't think so, no.Possibly, I mean.That's what it seemed like they were teeing him up to do.Yeah, I think so.And there was a picture with Usyk the next day.

Yeah.Do you think he's going to sign with them?With Zuffer?Yeah.Probably not.I don't know.

I think he's talked to him.I know that.But I think, you know, it depends on the guy.It depends on what you want, you know, where you are in your career.You know, a lot of the guys that are chasing greatness and legacy just don't want to be with Zuffer.But if you're, if you've reached that point and you're not really bothered about that anymore, you just want the money, why not?

hasn't reached that point just yet.I feel like there's a lot more for him to do.But Shakur's a legacy guy, but at the same time, he's done a lot.He's a four division champion, but he's just like scratching the surface in my opinion, in terms of superstardom.

It's a tough, it's a tough one for him because you need the fights and Shakur's really good.Yeah.And you need, it's a bit like Geron this Saturday, like you've got a guy, I think Geron Ennis is a pound for pound top three guy, but unless you get the fights.Right.How do you actually You know, get that respect.And that's why the Zayas fight is so important on Saturday, because we take that, then he can fight Fundora, or he can fight, you know, those kind of guys, and you can establish yourself.

So, I just, it's one thing getting the money, it's another thing actually getting the fights.And the problem is with Shakur, he's really good.A lot of people don't actually want to fight him, because of how difficult he is to beat.

Is Fury going to take another fight?Is that official?

As I understand it, he was supposed to fight on August the 1st.I mean, it's not, you know, it's not my business, but...But it sort of is. I think, I don't care.We don't care what Fury does.It has to be around the same time as AJ.

Yeah, it will be.It can't be in October.

I don't think you go much longer.I mean, you've got August 1st.You've got The Queensbury show and that that's why I thought it might be August 8th is a Zuffer show So in in Dublin, you've got August 1st Piers O 'Leary with Queensbury You've got Croke Park 80 ,000 on September 5th, and then Zuffer have announced a show the week after August 8th.Yeah, August.Yeah after the Queensbury show maybe jumps on that.I don't know I mean, I think the bigger problem is No one really wants Fury to fight because he's had his fight and yeah, but he wants to fight and I get that, you know But obviously the level of opposition that he's gonna face.

It's not really a very big fight So how much you really gonna get paid to be in a fight like that and these guys might make a lot of money Do you want to do a full camp and get paid that amount of money for a fight?I feel like Terrence Crawford is coming back.Yeah.Yeah based on his tweets.I don't I haven't seen his tweets, but When I've been around him I think he's in New York now.I think it's a boxing writers.

Oh, yeah when I've been around him I've kind of felt like physically he's checked out like he talks about his body a lot He talks about how it broke down particularly in the last few camps You know, but he's a Terence is an unbelievable fighter and a real competitor and he lives for competition So I think you know, I would never rule it out, but he's I I didn't get that feeling up from from talking to him first I guess anything's possible, but listen boots can can get himself into a position where you know he's a superstar of the sport and there's a huge amount of money for Crawford to fight and we would love that fight because that's a fight that I've wanted for a long time and I think they're two unbelievable fighters.

I love this boots size fight I love both of them very much the card is great Vargas on there Whitaker on there this to me is likeokay, top -ranked being involved with the zone, you're able to make these types of fights.Is it fair to say the winner gets Ortiz, or are we past the Ortiz point?Because if Boots wins, now you wanna try to get the other belts too, right?

Yeah, I mean, that's the problem with the Ortiz fights.I said before, one of the most unique things about Boots against Ortiz was there was no belt.Right.yeah it was one of the best fights in boxing now we're fighting for the unified world championship the natural progression from there is to try and become undisputed right of course but Ortiz will also come back he'll want to warm up he'll be out for a year he's not going to go straight into boots if he wants to we can look at that as well but my gut feeling is is that Ortiz will probably return in i don't know september october all being well, Boots will beat Zayas and then he'll try and unify again and then we'll fight Virgil Orsiz.I think that fight has to happen.

Who's to blame for that fight not happening?Was it Oscar or was it his side?

You don't really know.The promoter is always going to say, you know, we did everything for you and I'm sure there's a huge amount of truth in it, you know, we backed you financially when you started, we got you this, we allowed this opportunity, you know, and then there's the fighter saying, no, you didn't do this, I wasn't, you know, and Guess you never really know.This is not really for me to comment, but you know I think that Oscar is sometimes in in the middle of like he's he's a promoter and He runs a business, and he's also a fighter, and he you know I think he I think he does although we've had our differences over the past he does fight for his guys and and you know but at the same time it is a business that you're running and and you know I think on the whole golden boy doing a good job, and I think on the whole Oscar de la Hoya is up for the fight.I think he's got the bit between his teeth.I think he's proud of the fight as he represents.I think he fights for them.

but at the same time and I think sometimes when those fighters go against that I think sometimes he can take it a little bit personally because You know he's emotional for his fighters as well And it's a bit like Ryan Garcia and Virgil Ortiz where it's like you know he kind of goes all out on the the things that he might say and then it that kind of Separates the relationship further and so forth, but because he cares you know You know, and I think he's passionate about what he does.

I do have to say, and I know it's not fair necessarily to ask you about this, but you're sort of the face of it all.The disowned stable of promoters right now has never been better, right?Between yourself, Queensbury Boxer, top -ranked, Golden Boy, etc.It drives me insane that I'm sitting down to watch Eddie Hall versus Tommy Fury, and that's behind a pay -per -view paywall.This sport is never gonna grow.There's already a paywall to get the zone, and now I have to pay even more to watch this fight?

Rico Verhoeven versus Alexander Usyk should not have been on pay -per -view.That's insane.Boots versus Zayas, if you want this sport to grow, can't be on pay -per -view.There's already a cost to get the zone.Why are you charging us more to watch these fights?

Because I think the mechanics of the fights these days, I mean, go back to what I just said about, you know.They're the only platform left doing pay -per -view.That's it.I mean, not necessarily.I mean, outside of, you know, other standalone, there are other pay -per -view outlets out there.

In North America?

Yeah, but I'm talking about platforms in general around the world, but it can be smaller platforms as well.They're the number one.But also, at the same time, Ariel, there has to be a way to make these fights and make the mechanics work for these fights.I've always been of the opinion, I think the DAZN Ultimate package, I think is actually quite interesting.Like, if you are actually a fight fan, that package is unbelievably cost -effective across the big fights and but I do also acknowledge from your point of view if you're not part of that plan which you should be by the way if you're consistently watching the big fights to individuallyfor everyone.

It's not actually the thing you should be doing, because they've created this plan for subscribers and for people that actually watch all boxing.So, sometimes we, and I understand it from fans, we don't quite acknowledge it, you know, what you just said there about bringing all these promoters together, You know, having this huge liquidity of fight nights available to subscribers, this incredible schedule, where as a fight fan, you are consistently watching fights from around the world.I mean, even this morning, you had Liam Parra against Lewis Crocker from Australia.It's a world championship event.You know, then you go into, you've got shows Friday night, you've got Boot Zayas, and then you just add Bam, you know, winning his third division championship.It's like, it's nonstop.

So there has to be a mechanic to make the business work.And the great news for Fight Fans and the great news for DAZN is, right now, the platform is extremely successful.And that's great news for boxing, because that ecosystem is working.And it's such a unique ecosystem of what you just said there.And boots against Zayas would never happen if top rank were with ESPN.Sure.

And matching with DAZN.

No, this is great.

Because they go, I mean, and top rank, I don't, I mean, they never tried to convince Zayas not to take it.They think he's mad for taking this fight.I'm sure they think he can win, but they're like, you're 23 years old.Like you're a superstar.Why are you fighting boots?And he's like, the kid's saying, because I'm the best and I want to prove I'm the best.

So hats off to Xander Zayas.So in answer to your question, there has to be a way and a model to make it work.That model is not in existence so that DAZN can make millions of dollars.It's to be able to make the big fights consistently.And you know, also the numbers are good.right so when you talk about Eddie Hall against Tommy Fury that's a pay -per -view if you paid for that one no that's on you but I wanted to see it yeah I know I sit down I'm like but what I'm saying is I'm saying that these shows are doing better

numbers their success are there Yeah, and they're allowing fighters to actually earn the money Tommy Fury and Eddie who made a lot of money You know boots against you understand if you want to see boots against IS these guys, you know Because of the crazy world that we live in in boxing.They're making a lot of money.You have to find a way to To create a model that actually works to give those guys what they need and what they want.

Back in the day HBO, there was a select few fights on pay -per -view.

The purses were completely different.You're talking about guys making a couple of hundred thousand for fights.Now you're talking about guys that are making five million, ten million.

So is the system broken?Would you say the system got out of hand?

I think what is broken And what doesn't make sense is the purses that fighters are receiving, given their commercial value, or particularly given the pot of money that exists.Do you know what I'm saying?It's a crazy world.And again, when you go back to UFC, it's exactly the opposite.So you've got all this money in the pot, but the fighters getting a tiny percentage.In boxing, you've got all this money in the pot and the fighters are taking everything.

Good luck to them, by the way.It's our job as promoters to make the model work and to make the business work for us.But sometimes the person, like again, you go back to the Conor Benn, you go back to Johnny Fit, like that, if someone's prepared to lose five, 10 million or seven figures consistently over shows, That's when the business becomes difficult, because you're like, well, we can't, we're a business.We're not a holiday camp.We've got to find a way to make it work.But if people are willing to lose that amount of money on fighters per show, the whole business is bonkers.

Boxing is a bonkers business.It doesn't make sense.

So to that point, do you think that Zufa is targeting your guys, driving up the price to take them away?Like the Johnny Fisher situation.Yeah, but the Johnny, like that's a bizarre one.Like Johnny's, I love Johnny.

I'm so happy for him, by the way.gone yeah I've told him you need to crawl there now and sign the contract has he done it I don't I'm not sure but you won't look to match you saw the numbers if they offered him half of what they offered him I wouldn't match like this is a hit Johnny wants to fight two or three guys honestly I could probably beat right I can't pay that kind of money so why do you want him because they don't know they just presume that people are gonna buy tickets and he's a big name and you know he's a popular guy but fight fans aren't idiots when you see the fight they'll announce for him you will go like no wonder Eddie didn't match this because I can't you're gonna do a show and lose million dollars on on Johnny like Johnny would have sat in the fight that he'll be in it would have been on struggle to be co -main event but you know but they'll headline with it because they haven't got any fighters yet in the UK so but by the way They're making terrible mistakes, but when you come into the market, that's what you do.We did it with The Zone.We came in and overpaid fighters, made terrible mistakes like they're doing, but that's to establish a foothold in the game.

And if they're going after your guys?

Maybe, I don't know.I think that, you know, Conor Ben...Bam, they went after Bam.Yeah, but also, you're going to go after the guys that have, or you perceive, to have a big commercial value.So, you know, when you say they've gone after Bam, Bam's top three pound for pound in the sport.They're going to go after Bam.

They've gone after Shakur, he's not with us.They've gone after Devin.They've gone after Theo.They've gone after Usyk.They've gone through the whole...So it's not...

I don't feel like it's necessarily our guys.But don't get me wrong, you can make terrible emotional decisions because of the rivalry and because of the frustration that you're facing in that battle.So what I'm going to make them do is keep making bad mistakes and keep costing them a lot of money.So that when the balance sheet rolls out at the end of the year, Turkey Lashayek or Seller look at the business and go, what's this?

Oh, well, we want it to get in.

We want it to get out.get him, you know And then you shine Shakur for 20 million sign Devin for 15 million Then you can't get the fight that you want and you have to give him a poor fight and the business Underperforms and you lose another 10 million on that show.It's like boxing's a weird old business, but they're a big company.They're big boys They've got deep pockets.So they'll be okay.Why did AJ sign with CAA for marketing because Well a number of reasons see a fantastic representational company.

I mean the big question from Dana which baffled me because he just doesn't understand.He's like, why didn't Eddie Hearn sign him on a management deal?Cause it's illegal.And he, you know, someone said to me, yeah, but he's, he's in the UK.We're an American company.We have American offices.

AJ's last fight was in America.There is a chance that the Fury fight could be in America.We'd be, we'd be committing an offense.Even if it's sponsorship only, you're not allowed to do that.Yeah.It's management.

Okay.You can't, you can't be a manager and a promoter.It's illegal under the Muhammad Ali act.And I'm not risking, That's why from AJ's get -go, we've never been across his commercial and his management.In fact, he was with a number of agencies.He then built 258, which was his own management company.

And one of the reasons that he's making this movie is he wants to solely focus on his boxing.Because he ran 258.Right.And he created that business.He employed a lot of people and the stress of running that business, because he likes to be across everything was draining him.And after the Dubois fight, he sort of said, you know what, I need to get rid of all these things that are doing, keeping me up at night and focus on my boxing.

So Freddie Cunningham, who was, who ran 258, went to CAA and then said to AJ, look what, you know, and our advice to AJ was great move, very, very established commercial agency.And again, for 13 years, we haven't represented him on a management or commercial side because we can't.

So he used that as sort of like a...

But again, he made himself look stupid, because he doesn't know anything about the Mohammedan.He doesn't know that you can't manage and promote fires collectively.It's a complete conflict of interest, even across the commercial side, because you've got commercial deals of your own with Matruh, and plus you've got this guy who's got his own individual commercial deals.It's just, I mean, the basis of it is it's illegal.When AJ signed, did he tell you?Oh yeah, this is about a year ago, really, like in terms of actually the conversations and how it was going to happen.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.And, and, you know, we, we run a lot now.My dad's become incredibly involved.I mean, don't forget, Anthony Joshua was the first shareholder of Matrim Sport outside of the Herm family.Wow.Which is an incredible story.

And, you know, obviously with our, deal that we've just done with brewing.Anthony Joshua had a great time too.And we're very proud of him.And we work very closely across a lot of, my dad has become very, um, very close with Anthony and his, his personal business now, not, not his commercial, his representation, but just helping him out as kind of like, uh, an ear, an ear because Anthony's a super bright guy and he's very, Deep and very intellectual and he'd like he wants to he wants to be hands -on across all his different stuff, but he's realized now That he can't do that in boxing because it's dragging his energy into different areas And I've never seen him so focused on his career as he is now never seen him so happy about his boxing I've never seen him so motivated and Everything will come down to the performance on July 25th and the fury fight But I've never been so confident about what he's gonna do and I'm so happy to see him happy Especially after everything that happened and it's shocking that he's I think I think you know the strength that he hasshown is unbelievable unbelievable and To be out there in Valencia to take yourself to a new environment a new team but also to do it within the the horrific moments of grief that he has suffered and to still Focus so much on the families of Cena and lats like he is and to give them their support whilst mixing that in with dealing with your own You know mental trauma of what happened and mixing that into your own Physical demands of training camp and your your own personal goals.This this man is amazing.

Honestly, he's an incredible individual and So proud of him and going into this fire.I've never been more you know, I text him Two days ago, I said, I said, how do you feel?He said, I feel, I feel great.He said, I've never been so fit, my conditioning.Like what they, what they go through in this camp with Usyk.And you learn all the time, like AJ's a, AJ knows, he's been building training camps for 13 years, right?

And this just blew us all away.Like I've seen training camps, I've seen a hundred training camps.And when I went out there, you just realize there's always another level.And he's never trained like this before, never trained like this.And That's gonna play a big part.When you look at Fury's setup, Fury's training camp, Fury's, you know, who's the trainer?

Like, this is gonna pay a big, big price.And, listen, let's get through July 25th, but I'll tell you what, if he goes out there and does a great job and looks sensational, we ain't losing this Tyson Fury fight.No way.

Two last ones, tremendous stuff, thank you.Rico Usyk, Shambolic, agree?In the respect of the stoppage?Stoppage, scorecards.I've never subscribed to the theory that boxing doesn't allow these things to happen.Like, oh, he can't win.

On that night, I felt like there were people who decided that he can't win.So I, no, I don't agree with that.How do you, how do you defend those scorecards and that stoppage?

Because no, so what you're saying is you can't, you're making it sound corrupt.It felt corrupt.No, not, not, not at all.The scorecards were egregious.No, not all of them.Really?

No, I had, I had going into, He was stopped in the 12th, right?

11th, stopped in the 11th.

Going into the 10th, I had Rico two rounds, maybe three rounds up, right?He gets dropped in the 11th.Now, if it hadn't have got stopped, sorry, he loses the 10th, but in the 11th, if he doesn't get stopped, it's a 10 -8 round.I think I would have had it all square going into the last with the 10 -8 round, right?But the scorecards did not represent that.I can't remember what all of them were, but one of them, I think, and one of them had it all square, which I think was wrong, going into the... but I only had... another one, I think, had Rico up by one or two, which is about how I had it going into the 11th round, right?

For me, when you say about, like, they didn't want him to win...I'm not talking about you, by the way.No, no, but it's still my sport, and I think I have to protect it, and I... because it's how...But how do you defend that?So, how I defend it is...

With judging, what I do believe is there is a preconceived opinion going into a fight.There is absolutely no way, I promise you, that a judge sits there and goes, Rico won that round, but I'll give it to Usyk.Now what I do think is there are judges that go into that fight going, this is a mismatch.There is absolutely no way.that Rico can win that fight.It shouldn't be that way, right?

No, but that's unfortunately, everyone's got opinions.You can't go and say, I'm gonna erase my mind and not have an opinion.But then it's like having a self -fulfilling prophecy.Now you're trying to back your own opinion.

I agree, but in every scenario of judging, you could be going into a fight, right?Where you go, I like aggressive fighters.And I don't like fighters who fight defensively.Oh, he's had all the aggression, but he hasn't landed anything.I'll give it to the aggressive fighter.This is just the individual, right?

But what I'm trying to get at is, trust me when I say, it's never, I'll give that one to Usyk.It's like he can't win.So yes, if there's a close round, I understand that sometimes you could be going to the champion, et cetera.What Rico did, which was actually, I've got to be honest with you, I thought...

I knew you didn't give him a chance.Not a chance.I sat down with...

Jason Statham was sitting with Turkey, who's a great guy by the way, and he was like...I said, mate, you have got absolutely...Because I was looking at Rico's legs, right, at the weigh -in, and they are like this area.No fighter, boxer, has legs like this.And I'm looking, and I'm going, he's going to be like in quicksand, and after four or five rounds, he's going to gas out so quick, right, he's going to get stopped.whenever Usyk wants.

And this is the truth of what I felt and what Rico did.I mean, he came out for the first minute, he looked like he'd never really boxed before.And everyone's kind of looking at each other going, oh, this is going to be so one -sided and embarrassing.And then as the fight went on, it's like, oh my God, he's won another round.He was incredible, unbelievable.Now the stoppage, right?

It goes down heavy, right?Gets up, the fight should never have been stopped.Also, the bell would rung.Yes.I mean, so you can't really get more.I do.

And it's very easy to say.well he would have got stopped in the next round, which no, but I do actually think that could have happened, but it's irrelevant anyway.It's a bit like, my question to you is, and I've talked to judges about this, when there's five seconds left in the round, do you acknowledge that Or do you act on how that fire is at that moment?So what I'm saying is when you hear the clapper Yeah, and there's a guy her as a referee you gain.Well, there's only five seconds.Let him get through to round I think Subconsciously you should be doing that, but I'm not so sure whether that's the right thing to do I think the ref has to make a decision regardless of the time of the round is this guy safe at the moment?

He felt he wasn't right.It was You know, it wasn't the worst stoppage I've ever seen.He was hurt.There was a lot of unanswered punches, but they weren't really landing.

Two, three seconds after the round, it was.

I know.So, yeah.But look, one thing's for sure, John Latham, who's a very good ref, he didn't stop that fight because Rico was on the verge of causing an upset.He did what he felt was right at the time.

Yeah.

In my opinion, it was wrong and it was a mistake.But now, if I'm Alexander Usyk, I'm thinking, what a gift.Because now you've got the rematch, right?I think, in Amsterdam, which I think would be incredible.And Usyk should be beating him every time.Like really, now he's got his measure, I don't, again, I don't want to write off Rico again, because he was incredible.

But styles make fights.Don't forget, AJ was fighting Rico.I actually think AJ would do a cleaner job on Rico, because he's a hard, like, Usyk was landing a lot, but just not, with enough power to be that effective, I actually think, again, but this guy's shown he's dangerous.But if I'm Ussi, I'm not fighting Khabib in Germany, I'm fighting Rico in Amsterdam.

Last one.What was the difference this time with Croke Park as opposed to in the past?Why were you able to get it done now and not in all those other times?

Confidence of the numbers, I think is the best way.Meaning that it would deliver?Yes.I think that the swell of public support was way higher now than it's ever been before.Because it was the last one?The last one.

the Netflix fights, right?The Serrano victory, all that kind of stuff.And I just got a gauge from even like, again, same sort of thing, walking down the street, social media, comments on my posts where I thought, do you know what?I really think this can work.And there was a guy called Peter Akin as well, who's kind of like a co -promoter with us.He does all Garth Brooks, he does Springsteen, he does all the big events at Croke Park.

And he was able to kind of give me a little bit more comfort And also, he wanted to play a part in the business of the show.And I just felt like, I think we can do it.I think we can sell it out.And it's just one of those things where you go on sale and it's like, it's 80 ,000.It's a female fire.And as great as Katie is, it's all very well people saying, give her a Croke Park, Eddie.

The people will come out for her.And it's like, can you guarantee me that please?But Ireland's different.So I was talking about Ian Garry as well.These people, they're one -offs, these Irish, they get behind their own like you've never seen.And when we went on that pre -sale and we did 40 ,000 on the pre -sale, I was like, I can't believe it.

And then, I think we've still got a few hundred on the floor or something like that, but basically everything's gone.And it's like, that will be, of everything I've ever done, in the sport, when she walks out at Croke Park, that will be the greatest moment of my career, the greatest thing I've ever witnessed in sport.let alone boxing.Can you imagine?The noise, you know Katie, she's the most wonderful person.It's an honour.

to be, and what a finish to her career.

What a journey.Incredible.Well done.My favorite part of all that is Brian Peters crying at the press conference.

I'm not letting him off it for one day.

Good, don't.Thank you so much.Good luck this weekend.Tickets available?Yep, still to go.

We're about $12 ,000 - $13 ,000 at the moment.I think we'll end up $15 ,000 - $16 ,000, which will be incredible.What a fight.And darts.Darts, we've got Luke coming in today.Thursday, yeah, Thursday, Friday.

I was hoping to give you some news.Tell me, tell me.But I can't.What?I'll just say this, major broadcast deal being announced for the Darts.Okay.

Probably tonight.Tonight?Yeah.I can't but, you know.

You gave us the Ian Gary.Yeah, there you go.Thank you for timing.We're going to actually have Ben Whitaker in studio in a matter of moments.So we'll say goodbye to Eddie and then bring in the surgeon.Don't go anywhere.

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