Eddie Hearn debunks ‘cash grab’ allegations

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Matchroom Sports’ Eddie Hearn was found defending his decision to see Anthony Joshua fight Francis Ngannou, following allegations by some like Carl Froch that the fight was only a cash grab venture to Joshua and Hearn.

Joshua fought three times last year in his quest to become a three-time world heavyweight champion, while Ngannou’s pro boxing debut took place in a match with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

It shocked many when Fury was struck to the floor by the African debutant during the third round of their ten-round bout. This particular deed earned Ngannou a place among the WBC’s top ten.

Now Anthony Joshua will be Ngannou’s second opponent, and their ten-round bout will be held on March 8 at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Many think that Joshua will beat Francis Ngannou, being the more seasoned boxer of the two, and given the situation that Joshua would be more prepared than Tyson Fury was. They claimed that Joshua and Hearn were hoping to grab a lot of cash by beating an unworthy opponent.

Speaking to MMA Fighting recently, Hearn replied to his and Joshua’s critics.

‘Previous to the Fury fight, it wasn’t a fight that he [Joshua] was interested in,’ he said. ‘Obviously, we just boxed a guy in Otto Wallin that gave Fury a tough time.

‘He cut him, I think he had forty-eight stitches, the fight should’ve been stopped and Otto Wallin should’ve won that fight, but it is what it is.

‘“AJ” went out and it was a mismatch, he demolished him, and I believe that we’re going to do the same here [against Ngannou].’

‘That performance over Tyson Fury was the moment that made this fight credible and I felt like he beat Tyson Fury, if he didn’t, it was a round either way.

‘So, you can’t really say that he is not a credible opponent, I heard Carl Froch and others say that this is a “cash grab”. No, this is a dangerous fight, “AJ” has a lot to lose here.

‘Coming off of the Wallin fight, in a wonderful position to go and fight for the IBF world title, which we hope will happen after the Francis Ngannou fight, but there is a lot of jeopardy in this fight.’

Ngannou will surely be meeting a different kind of fighter on March 8, while Joshua will have to prove on the same date that his retirement is not yet at the door.