By Edward Chaykovsky
Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport is not threatened by James DeGale's decision to sign a managerial deal with powerful adviser Al Haymon.
DeGale captured the IBF super middleweight title in May with a twelve round unanimous decision over Andre Dirrell. The fight headlined Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card in Chicago. Haymon's company, Haymon Boxing, created the PBC series.
"It means that moving forward Al Haymon will be his adviser and manager. We're on the promotional side. It doesn't really clash. My communication will be with Al, planning out the best move for James DeGale's career. Because he hasn't boxed since May the 13th, he's probably going to have to face his mandatory next - which I think is the winner of Rogelio Medina and Julius Jackson - which obviously is not a big fight in the UK. Obviously I want him to have a homecoming, and maybe there is more money for that fight in America," Hearn told Daily Mail. "[Me and Haymon] touched base and I said I'm excited [to work together]."
Hearn will not stand in the way of DeGale, or any other Matchroom fighter, from signing with Haymon to fight on the PBC platform in the United States. PBC has television deals with Showtime, CBS, ABC, ESPN, Spike TV, NBC, NBC Sports and Bounce TV.
"I think there will be other Matchroom fighters that we might move in the same kind of direction, if it makes sense for them. If you're not a pay-per-view fighter [in the UK], there might be more money to fight in America. Anything for the benefit of our fighters we're also looking at," Hearn said.