Eddie Hearn admits Frank Warren “probably offered a little bit more money” to Carl Frampton
Eddie Hearn admits that he was probably out-bid by Frank Warren in the hunt for Carl Frampton.
The Belfast featherweight announced last week that he is to link up with Warren’s Queensberry Promotions for the next chapter of his career following last month’s departure from Cyclone and the McGuigan family.
Frampton [23(14)-1(0)] attracted interest from a number of promoters, and Hearn would state that he was keen to re-sign the 30 year old for Matchroom – promising a Windsor Park rubber match with Leo Santa Cruz.
Talks took place between ‘The Jackal’ and Hearn, however Frampton opted for a “very similar” offer from Warren, an offer he asserts was the best for him and his career.
Essex promoter Hearn believes that, considering Frampton’s current profile and standing, money was the major determining factor in who he signed for – and admits Warren probably offered more in this department.
Hearn told IFL TV that “I would have liked to have signed Carl Frampton, I made him an offer.”
“My offer was simple – box in December, [then] Leo Santa Cruz at Windsor Park on Sky Box Office. I was a bit concerned about buy numbers, I don’t know if that [PPV] is the plan with Frank, he probably offered a little bit more money.”
“For Carl, he’s at that stage of his career where it’s not about my ‘visions’ as a promoter. It’s really about ‘what’s the highest number? yeah, you.'”
“I just think it was probably a little more money.”
The Matchroom boss claims he not particularly disappointed with Frampton’s choice – and wished the two-weight champion well following what he says was a first ever meeting between the pair.
“I’m not really ‘sick,’ because we’ve got a great business.” said Hearn.
“I wish him the best, I wish Frank the best. I like Carl Frampton a lot, I respect him a lot, and I’m happy – well, not happy – but I’m fine with the decision, I didn’t cry!”
“One of the reasons I’m quite happy is because we got the chance to talk, me and Carl, which we’ve never done before.”
Frampton will make his return against a to-be-announced opponent on Saturday November 18th at the SSE Odyssey Arena before another fight in March and finally a Windsor Park dream match in the Summer.
Going by Hearn’s plan, it was seemingly his intention to feature Frampton on the mooted Tony Bellew v David Haye pay-per-view undercard at the O2 in London on Sunday December 17th.
Watch Eddie Hearn’s interview with IFL TV below
Video courtesy of IFL TV
