Hearn: Eubank Jr. Don't Want Golovkin, Father Holding Him Back!

By Radio Rahim

LONDON - Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sports has no interest in a working relationship with Chris Eubank Jr. (24-1, 19 KOs) - unless Chris Eubank Sr. is not involved.

On more than one occasion, Hearn entered into a working relationship with the Eubanks - and their union was always shattered due to internal issues.

Last summer, Hearn did everything possible to finalize a fight between Eubank and middleweight king Gennady Golovkin. A deal was reached for Golovkin to travel over to the O2 Arena in London.

But, Hearn was never able to get Eubank to sign the contract for the fight. Eventually, Hearn was forced to pull Eubank Jr. from the event and eventually replaced him with IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, who moved up by two full weight divisions to take the fight.

According to Hearn, Eubank Sr.was making outrageous demands for the Golovkin fight. He wanted to control everything - ticket prices, the undercard fights and even the selection process for the pay-per-view commentators.   

Last month, Eubank Jr. was once again calling for a showdown with Golovkin in the fall.

"They don't want that fight. I think people realize what those guys are about by the opponents they're picking. Like I said earlier about Joshua, you never want your fighters to get slowed down by time-wasters or politics or injuries. So anything that's going to hold you back, like negotiations with someone like that, you want to brush it to the side. That's what we did and that's what Triple G did. We have a great relationship with those guys as well. I'm almost certain that he'll end up fighting Canelo in September," Hearn explained to BoxingScene.com.

Hearn believes Eubank Jr. is a very talented fighter. He wants to make him a superstar, but the veteran promoter has refused to entertain the idea of a working relationship if the father is involved. Eubank Sr. acts as the manager, matchmaker and trainer.

"No [I won't working with Eubank Jr.], not while the father is involved. It's just too brutal and he's holding him back so badly. I feel bad for Eubank Jr., because he is a talent. And I could make him a superstar, but he's miles away from being a success in that area. We'll see what happens. Never say never, but we have a great business and I really don't to go to bed at night banging my head on a wall, which I did several times during that relationship," Hearn said.

Hearn is not alone. His promotional rival, Frank Warren, also refuses to work with the Eubanks.