Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Eddie Hearn and his "Band" Matchroom Boxing

Eddie Hearn and his band Matchroom Boxing are not the Beatles or The Rolling Stones, still his pugilistic British invasion resembles an inaugural rock tour of the USA. Things got started in early October in Middle America. A couple weeks’ later Boston, seven days after that “The Big Apple” New York City. All these nights featured championship fights and numerous world class boxers.

Excited boxing fans from around the five boroughs filled all the fifty six hundred seats in the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 27th. Whether their warrior won or lost every one of them departed knowing they got bang for their buck.

A stirring Main Event pitted former WBA Middleweight King Danny Jacobs, Brooklyn, against Ukrainian Sergiy Derevyanchenko, who now lives in Brooklyn, NY, for the vacant IBF Middleweight Championship of the world. Some people may have looked at this matchup as Jacobs being spoon fed a title. Derevyanchenko only had a dozen bouts entering the contest without much exposure. Insiders were whispering the outcome was a toss-up.

Wasting little time feeling each other out, lighting their fusses, both released bombs with Sergiy getting the better of the exchanges. Gaining momentum, Derevyanchenko had round one won when with seconds left an overhand right to the head from Jacobs,159.6 lbs., had the Ukrainian hitting the floor. Jacobs carries one hundred sixty pounds in a big way, his biceps look like they belong to a heavyweight. Leaving his corner for the second, Derevyanchenko, 159.4 lbs., showed no ill effects from his fall. Having mastered the art of cutting off the ring, Sergiy kept cornering or backing Jacobs against the ropes, scoring shots. Derevyanchenko continued hit Jacobs to body throughout. Offsetting the offensive in front of him, Jacobs bounced hard leather off his foes’ head. Ten rounds of oohs, aahs, and roaring cheers left the alacritous throng wanting to witness the championship sessions. Not disappointing the faithful, both soldiers willingly engaged in a slugfest for the final six minutes. Once the final second ticked off, the house cleared their lungs with a booming loud approval.

Sometimes a tenseness is felt when waiting to hear a decision in a close match. Those moments slow down the clock and each second feels longer than the last. At that moment, Ring Announcer Miguel Flores put the microphone close to his mouth “Ladies and Gentlemen……” and went on to announce Danny Jacobs as the new IBF middleweight king by split decision. Julie Lederman 114-113 Derevyanchenko overruled by Tom Schreck and Steve Weisfeld 115-112.

Following giving kudos to Derevyanchenko, Jacobs said “We absolutely want Canelo. It’s a fight the fans want. Now that I have the belt there will be more in the pudding for everyone.” With Canelo and Jacobs both connected to streaming sports network the DAZN this could be happen soon.

Even though Derevyanchenko lost, he has proven himself amongst the elite in the talent laden middleweight division. Suffering his first loss, Sergiy’s record is now 12-1 (10 KOs). With a new belt to hold up his pants Jacobs marches forward with a 35-2 (29 KOs} slate.

Lou DiBella’s DiBella Entertainment partnered with Matchroom to promote the show.

Negotiating a big dollar deal with DAZN to promote thirty two fights a year, Hearn has decided to enter the American market. 




-Frank Bartolini

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