From cold-calling for double-glazing to managing billion-dollar boxing deals
In short: Before becoming a titan of sports promotion, Eddie Hearn was a teenager selling double-glazing. Today, he oversees a global empire, managing world champions and navigating massive streaming deals that have reshaped the landscape of professional boxing, moving from his early days in Essex to managing billion-dollar broadcasting agreements.
Eddie Hearn's rise in sports promotion was preceded by a rigorous upbringing designed to instill a strong work ethic. To prevent him from becoming a 'rich kid' without motivation, his father, Barry Hearn, assigned him chores like car-washing and shoe-shining. By age 15, Eddie was cold-calling to sell double-glazing, an experience he later described as 'unbelievable schooling' for a career in sales. His father's business success began after moving the family to a large house in Brentwood, Essex. This early exposure to sales helped shape his future as a prominent sports executive.
Hearn's professional ascent is deeply intertwined with the career of Anthony Joshua. After signing Joshua in 2013, one year after the boxer's Olympic gold medal win, Hearn has promoted Joshua's entire professional career. This partnership has helped establish Matchroom Boxing as a dominant force in the industry, leading to massive stadium events, such as the 2017 Joshua vs. Klitschko fight at Wembley Stadium, which drew 90,000 spectators. Beyond boxing, Hearn's influence extends to other sports through Matchroom Sport. He has also been involved in promoting professional darts through the Professional Darts Corporation.
The business of modern boxing has seen Hearn lead significant shifts in broadcasting. In 2018, he revealed a landmark $1 billion (£750 million) deal with the streaming service DAZN to broadcast shows in the United States. This move eventually led to a 2021 agreement that shifted Matchroom's UK and Ireland content exclusively to DAZN, ending a previous six-year partnership with Sky Sports. While his move into controversial territories like Saudi Arabia and into influencer boxing has drawn criticism, Hearn maintains his focus on providing the best opportunities for his fighters. His ventures have even crossed into the realm of influencer boxing, notably promoting a high-profile match between KSI and Logan Paul. Furthermore, his business interests have expanded into the United States with significant streaming agreements.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Eddie Hearn
- Also: Wikidata — Eddie Hearn · CC0
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