During a recent press conference for his upcoming fight with Conor Benn, Eddie Hearn criticized Chris Eubank Jr for not allowing him to pay respects to Ricky Hatton. The passing of Hatton at 46 years old had a profound impact on the boxing community, with tributes pouring in globally for the esteemed British boxer. Hearn, like many others, wanted to take a moment to honor Hatton, but his attempt was met with resistance from Eubank Jr.
As Hearn tried to speak about Hatton, Eubank Jr could be heard singing in the background. Despite Hearn’s request for just “30 seconds” to talk about Hatton, Eubank Jr dismissed the idea, leading to a tense exchange between the two. Hearn expressed his frustration, calling Eubank Jr “an a***hole” as the situation escalated. Eubank Jr, in turn, portrayed himself as the victim in the exchange.
The confrontation continued as Eubank Jr repeatedly interrupted Hearn during the press conference, which was intended to promote their upcoming rematch in November. Their previous encounter ended with Eubank Jr winning by decision, solidifying the rivalry between the two fighters.
During the press conference, Benn paid tribute to Hatton by wearing a Manchester City shirt, a nod to Hatton’s allegiance to the club. Eubank Jr also shared his condolences for Hatton on social media, acknowledging the boxing legend’s impact on the sport.
The tense interaction between Hearn and Eubank Jr overshadowed the promotional event, highlighting the animosity between the two fighters as they prepare to face off once again in the ring.