Eddie Hearn has ramped up his big beef with Dana White by signing UFC heavyweight king Tom Aspinall for his new talent agency.
The 46-year-old Hearn, one of the world’s foremost boxing promoters for a decade, now has competition with UFC CEO White moving into boxing after partnering with Saudi power broker Turki Alalshikh to launch Zuffa.
White immediately signalled that competition will be brutal by signing Hearn mainstay Conor Benn to a one-fight deal, a catchweight 150lbs showdown with Regis Prograis on the Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov undercard on April 11.
Losing Benn to Dana – even for a solitary fight – was a bitter blow for Hearn, but it did not take too long for him to level the score.
The Essex magnate – now resident in the millionaire’s playground of Monaco – stayed home on Thursday to announce that he has signed Aspinall to his new Matchroom Talent Agency.
The 32-year-old from Salford flew to the principality to seal the deal ahead of a London press conference to be held on Friday (March 6).
Signing Aspinall is a major statement of intent from Hearn as he opens up a new era for Matchroom – in the past he has spoken of becoming a football agent, and now athlete representation is the new big thing.
Aspinall will continue working closely with his existing Media and Management team as Matchroom Talent Agency supports him with further key services ranging from Commercial, through to Publishing, Digital, Broadcast and Legal. Hearn is excited, and cannot wait to get started…
Hearn excited by Aspinall signing
“I started my professional career in Athlete management and over the past 30 years, I have built a wealth of experience in building global superstars,” he said.
“We believe in partnership and transparency with our clients but, most importantly, always delivering exceptional and innovative work. Grounded in honesty and fierce commitment, Matchroom Talent Agency is about transforming careers through relentless ambition and telling it straight.
“At the heart of everything we’ve done as a business over the last 40 years is identifying ordinary people, who have extraordinary talent. It has become a guiding principle to seek out people who are humble but heroic in equal measure. Their journey is our journey. Their triumph, our purpose.
“UFC World Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall is the perfect embodiment of that – and he is the ideal, inaugural member of our team.
“We believe in creating opportunities where others see obstacles in turning potential into greatness. So, the message is loud and clear to all: Join us on this journey. We are officially open for business.”
UFC king blazing a trail with Matchroom
Aspinall said: “I’m really excited to welcome Eddie [Hearn] and the Matchroom Sport group in a commercial and advisory role, and to become the first athlete to join the new Matchroom Talent Agency.
“Eddie has built one of the biggest brands in Sport and understands how to take athletes to the next level, both inside and outside of competition.
“I’m really looking forward to working together and exploring some exciting opportunities as I continue my journey back into the cage.”
