Matchroom v Queensberry will form the undercard to the undisputed light-heavyweight contest between undefeated Russian Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, a blockbuster for the boxing purists.
“It’s the best fight in boxing,” Hearn said as the two Russians took to the stage in London.
After a traditional style news conference for Beterbiev-Bivol, the event soon turned into The Masked Singer meets WWE.
Hearn and Warren talked up the undercard as the masked fighters waited patiently. Not everything went to plan, however, as the Matchroom boss prematurely mentioned the still masked Ball’s name.
The rivalry between Britain’s two biggest promotional companies in the sport dates back to the 1980s, when Hearn’s father Barry was at the helm for Matchroom.
“Growing up as a kid I’d hear the name [Warren] on the phone. It wasn’t always pleasant but I’d hear them arguing,” Heard said.
Hearn and Warren – who had reportedly never met until last year – were brought together by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s general entertainment authority.
Alalshikh – with the riches of Saudi Arabia behind him but under the backdrop of sports washing accusations – convinced the two to bury the hatchet.
“We’re not friends really, I want to absolutely destroy Queensberry,” Hearn added, tongue-in-cheek.
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