Eddie Hearn says Bob Arum of Top Rank didn’t want him on the stage for the final press conference between Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith yesterday for Saturday’s fight on January 13th at the Centre Videotron in Quebec City.
It did look strange that Hearn wasn’t on the stage for his fighter Smith’s press conference yesterday, particularly given all his predictions about Beterbiev getting knocked cold by him.
It would be a bad situation if they had to muzzle Hearn and drag him from the stage if he wouldn’t shut his yap with his bad-mouthing of Beterbiev.
Black Clouds and Excuses?
Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn states that they [Arum] “didn’t want me to say certain things” on stage during the final press conference.
Hearn didn’t say what those “things” were, but he likely talked about IBF/WBC/WBO light heavyweight champion Beterbiev’s atypical test results from his December 6th VADA conducted testing.
If Hearn had been on stage, the potential for him to blab to the media nonstop about Beterbiev’s test would have created a black cloud over the entire promotion for Saturday’s fight, dampening fan interest while giving his fighter, Callum Smith, an excuse in advance in case he loses.
Would it have been a good thing to have Hearn on the stage, pointing fingers at Beterbiev, talking endlessly about his atypical findings?
Hearn Remains Confident
“It’s a great start of the year, a great fight that we believe Callum Smith can win. He’s a fantastic fighter, but we just believe Callum Smith will win this weekend,” said Eddie Hearn to Boxing News about his prediction for Smith’s fight against Artur Beterbiev.
“Bob [Arum] wasn’t happy. Bob couldn’t make it, so I wasn’t allowed up there either, apparently,” said Hearn about him not being allowed on the stage during Thursday’s final press conference for the Beterbiev vs. Smith fight.
“Maybe they didn’t want me to say certain things. There have been a few things brewing over the last couple of days and weeks. But if Bob turns up, I’ll go up there as well.
“Maybe, if Bob decides to come. I don’t know. I wouldn’t leave him on the sidelines if he came to London, but it’s a respect thing,” said Hearn when asked if he’ll be on stage for the Beterbiev-Smith weigh-in.
