Hearn: Prizefighter is the best boxing idea in 25 years - 14/07/2008

MATCHROOM SPORT Chairman Barry Hearn believes The Prizefighter Series is the best idea to have come into boxing in 25 years.

Hearn, who has promoted Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn and Naseem Hamed, thinks this event gives the boxers an opportunity to secure a large pay day and boost their reputations.

“After promoting 500 shows it takes something special to get my enthusiasm,” said Hearn.

“We’re always trying to do different things in boxing to keep it exciting. It’s a proper knockout tournament and it takes a brave man to come up to the plate. They are all heroes.

“But this idea of The Prizefighter Series is without doubt the best idea that has come into boxing in the 25 years I’ve been promoting boxing.”

The first competition in the innovative format, which is fully backed by the British Boxing Board of Control, was a huge success with a packed out crowd at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.

Television viewing figures for Sky Sports were three times higher than their regular boxing shows and six Prizefighter events, at five different weights, will be staged in the next 12 months.

“We’re giving boxers their chance to be noticed and fight fans quick-fire entertainment,” added Hearn.

“People like to see action, big punches, big knockouts and The Prizefighter Series will deliver that in abundance.

“This is the most exciting development the fight game has seen in the past decade. It’s going to be a cross between orthodox boxing and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

“Three-round fights and no room for a backward step. It’s going to be a tear-up because fighters know they’ve got to win to progress to the next round. It certainly won’t be for the faint-hearted.

“We don’t know if the fights will go one round or three but it will be exciting. One thing this won’t be is boring. The winners will be the public so we will see some excitement.

“I want to bring a new era of fans into boxing and I want the next generation of fight fans to come and see the events.

“This is the start of a new era where more and more fighters can make decent money.”