Promoter Eddie Hearn has urged heavyweight Johnny Fisher to accept a contract from a rival promoter, reportedly Zuffa Boxing. Hearn confirmed the offer was more than six times what Matchroom was prepared to pay and stated he would not attempt to match the deal.
The decision was a straightforward business calculation for the Matchroom chairman. Hearn explained that the proposed opponent for Fisher simply did not carry the commercial weight required to justify such a significant purse under his company’s model. He made it clear that the financial gap was not negotiable. Hearn said: “My offer was less than a sixth of what they offered, Hearn said to Pro Boxing Fans when asked about Fisher’s future. When they announce the opponent, you’ll see why I didn’t match.”
Hearn was emphatic in his advice to the young heavyweight, leaving no room for interpretation. He was not just releasing Fisher from any obligation; he was actively encouraging him to secure the new contract. “Walk, swim, or crawl to the Zuffa office as quickly as you can and sign that contract,” said Hearn. The promoter doubled down on the financial disparity, insisting that even a much smaller offer would have been too high. “If the Zuffa offer was half of what it was, I wouldn’t have matched,” Hearn said.
This move marks a significant turning point for Fisher, who is coming off a fourth-round stoppage win last December after suffering a knockout loss to Dave Allen in their rematch. While the immediate payday is substantial, it diverts him from the developmental path Matchroom had envisioned. Hearn indicated his plans for Fisher involved different types of events that did not include headlining bouts at this stage of his career.
Still, the promoter holds no ill will and framed the situation as a major career opportunity for the fighter. He publicly endorsed the decision, concluding that Fisher must do what is best for his future. “That’s a brilliant opportunity for Johnny Fisher, and he’s got to take that with both hands,” Hearn said.
