Fisher Acknowledges He Is Pawn in Dana White versus Eddie Hearn War
"Of course I'm a pawn. Of course I'm a player in the game of boxing in the heavyweight boxing. Anybody that can fill up an arena is going to have a value one to Eddie Hearn, two to Dana White or any promoter in the game. So I'm not stupid. I'm not deluded. But that also is an indicator that they want to be in business with me, isn't it?"
About this episode
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani interviews British heavyweight boxer Johnny Fisher immediately after the announcement that Fisher has signed with Zuffa Boxing, leaving Eddie Hearn's Matchroom promotion. Fisher reveals he received an offer from Zuffa Boxing six and a half times what Matchroom could provide, securing him financially for the next decade with a single fight. The one-fight deal will see Fisher headline at London's Copper Box Arena on September 26th, though his opponent remains unknown. Fisher explains that his Matchroom contract had expired when Zuffa approached him, and that he gave Hearn the opportunity to match the offer, which Hearn declined. He addresses Hearn's public comments about loyalty, clarifying that he was transparent throughout the process and remains on good terms with both Eddie and Barry Hearn, leaving the door open to future collaboration. Fisher acknowledges he is a strategic pawn in the promotional war between Dana White and Eddie Hearn, but emphasizes Zuffa's genuine interest in promoting him. Beyond the fight deal, Zuffa is flying Fisher to New York for WWE's main event and a dinner with Dana White, demonstrating significant promotional investment. Fisher also discusses his upcoming Paramount Plus reality show "Meet the Fishers" which will air in October and includes footage of his contract discussions with Hearn. The signing represents a major escalation in Zuffa Boxing's campaign to poach top talent from established promoters, following their recent acquisition of Shakur Stevenson and anticipated signing of Devin Haney. The interview takes place just before England's World Cup semifinal match, with Fisher planning to watch at his parents' home despite having to fly to New York immediately afterward.
Key takeaways
- Johnny Fisher signed a one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing worth six and a half times Matchroom's offer, securing him financially for a decade.
- Fisher will headline at London's Copper Box Arena on September 26th against an as-yet-unnamed opponent in his Zuffa debut.
- Eddie Hearn was given the opportunity to match Zuffa's offer after Fisher's Matchroom contract expired but declined to do so.
- Fisher candidly acknowledged he is a pawn in the promotional war between Dana White and Eddie Hearn but believes Zuffa genuinely wants to promote him.
- Zuffa Boxing is flying Fisher to New York for WWE's main event and dinner with Dana White as part of extensive promotional plans.
- Fisher maintains he remains on good terms with Eddie and Barry Hearn and has not burned bridges, leaving the door open to future collaboration.
- A Paramount Plus reality series "Meet the Fishers" will air in October featuring footage of Fisher's contract negotiations with Matchroom.