Nobody would have guessed six months ago that during April’s news conference, Hearn and Warren would be playing a friendly game of Jenga that is strangely engrossing.
Now, their bond is significantly less brittle than it was in the building block game.
“It’s refreshing to see that we have a lot of similar viewpoints. Warren remarks, “I’m enjoying Eddie’s company.”
The rivalry has a long history, dating back to when Hearn was a small boy and would hear his father argue with Warren over the phone.
Hearn Sr., who had previously concentrated mostly on snooker, profited after Warren was shot in November 1989 by an unknown assailant and affluent supporters stopped giving the promoter money.
Warren’s tenacity allowed him to fight back when boxers left ship and went to Matchroom.
He was the mastermind behind the 1993 rematch between Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, and he struck a big deal with broadcasters two years later.
Years later, history seemed to repeat itself when a young, handsome Hearn Jr. entered the scene and upended the market.
Equipped with prospects such as Kell Brook and Tony Bellew, who would go on to win multiple world titles, Hearn inked a nine-year exclusive contract with Sports in 2012.
