Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has lauded British fighter Anthony Joshua’s attitude and dedication to Matchroom, explaining that the parties have more than just a professional connection.
Eddie H earn praised Anthony Joshua for the letter he sent to the boxing promoter’s father, Barry.
Joshua is marketed by Matchroom, a firm run by H earn but started by the 45-year-old’s father in 1982 with a focus on snooker management for players like as Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor, and Jimmy White. The firm has subsequently expanded to include golf and darts, but boxing remains its most well-known sport.
The rise of Olympic gold medalist and former heaveyweight champion Joshua can in part be credited with that. The 34-year-old fighter turned professional with the promotion in 2013 and has signed three deals to continue with them.
Joshua signed a career-long contract with Matchroom in 2021 and admitted he enjoyed a good relationship with the Hearns. Promotion chairman, Eddie, has spoken glowingly of Joshua’s loyalty to the brand.
It is perhaps the personal relationship that means more to the promoter however. earn highlighted the fact that Joshua checks in with 76-year-old Barry as a captivating part of the boxer’s character.
“It’s a bit cringe to say he’s part of the family,” he told GRM Daily. “In terms of the Matchroom family he very much is.
“He has a part of the business now that we almost gifted to him because of his loyalty towards us and that loyalty in boxing is very rare. He has signed three contract extensions with us, his last one was for the rest of his boxing career.
Eddie Hearn is a big fan of Anthony Joshua, professionally and personally.
“Imagine the amount of approaches Anthony Joshua has had to leave Matchroom, he has never been close to walking away. That loyalty is very rare and should always be rewarded.
“Every now and again he will message my dad and say ‘how are you Barry? Just checking in”. Do you know what a class thing that is to do?
“He does that, I’m sure, for hundreds of different people. He has so much time for people. People pull him around, the pressure of going out, photos, time for kids, kids just turn up at the boxing gym. He has time for everybody and he is one of the nicest people and purest guys I have ever met.
“From a business level he helped changed the path of Matchroom and Matchroom boxing to go to the global level we’re on now. We helped him get to where he is now but he done the hard part in fighting. It’s just been the greatest relationship.”
