Eddie Hearn is known for hyperbole – he’s a boxing promoter after all – but he might just have outdone himself here.
On Wednesday the Matchroom supremo continued his recent golden run of success by officially announcing the first Saudi supershow to take place across the Atlantic in the United States.
Hearn’s promotion sees reigning P4P king Terence Crawford top the bill as he moves up to 154lbs against Israil Madrimov. Then we have a stellar undercard topped by a very watchable heavyweight showdown which pits Andy Ruiz Jr vs Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller.
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But while the card is undoubtedly terrific, we’re not sure we agree completely with Hearn’s assessment of it. To be specific, he called it the best US card ever. EVER.
Speaking at the official press conference, he again praised Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh for his fistic nous, and he clearly believes he has delivered in a big way for the man they all now call H.E.
Eddie Hearn on ‘best ever US card’
“The one thing I’ve learned about His Excellency, is he reads and he listens to the fans. And I think a lot of the fans have said ‘these big fights, they’re always in Saudi Arabia now – don’t forget the UK, don’t forget the US.
“Of course the talks of a major event for Riyadh Season at Wembley Stadium, and now, in Los Angeles, on August 3rd I have to say the best card I’ve ever seen in US boxing.
“I mean when you talk about Terence Crawford, the pound-for-pound number 1, trying to establish himself as a four-time world champion – in itself that is a huge pay-per-view event against Israil Madrimov.
“But then you look across the card and you look to my right and left and there’s so many elite fighters. Isaac Cruz, I think one of the most entertaining fighters on the planet, Jose Valenzuela – that is gonna be an all-out war.
“The big heavyweights – Andy Ruiz, one of our favourites – against Jarrell Miller. These guys have got plenty of history across the heavyweight division.
“David Morrell, who I think is one of the best fighters in the world today. Andy Cruz, a fellow Cuban, and of course don’t forget Tim Tszyu against Vergil Ortiz – I think one of the best fights you could possibly make in boxing.
“And it’s a culmination again of all the promoters working together.”
So is Hearn right? And how did US boxing pundits react?
Well few of them come more respected than former ESPN mainstay Dan Rafael. While he gave Hearn deserved props for making a terrific card, he stopped short of calling it the best ever.
He responded on Twitter: “Not ever, all due respect, but a great card for sure & the best US card in a long time. Bravo to all involved!”
