Eddie Hearn responds to criticism over UK schedule

PROMOTER Eddie Hearn has teased some big upcoming shows in the UK after responding to online criticism.

Hearn is in Las Vegas this week with his super-middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga, who hopes to pull off the upset of the year by beating Canelo Alvarez.

Since the beginning of June, Matchroom Boxing have staged two UK shows. The first in Birmingham (headlined by Tyler Denny vs. Felix Cash) and the second in London (headlined by Johnny Fisher vs. Alen Babic). The August 24 bill topped by Jack Catterall vs. Regis Prograis in Manchester has been rescheduled for October 26 after Prograis suffered an injury, while Dalton Smith suffered a similar fate cancelling his September 28 fight in Sheffield against Jon Fernandez – the card is now headlined by Rhiannon Dixon vs. Terri Harper.

Critics have expressed displeasure at Matchroom’s lack of UK shows in recent months, and Hearn responded to Boxing News.

“I think we were unlucky to lose Catterall against Prograis in August because that’s a great fight. Obviously, that’s now been moved to October 26 then we lost the Dalton Smith against Fernandez so we’ve had a bit of bad luck. We’re announcing a huge British fight this week.”

“I don’t mind criticism but I don’t like people not to be happy with what we’re delivering,” he added.

“And although we’ve had bad luck it’s very much in the back of my mind and the front of my mind to make sure we bounce back after that bit of bad luck with some big shows in the UK and I think you’re going to be very happy with what you’re gonna see. Not just with the November announcement but also with the plans for January and February and beyond.”