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Eddie Hearn makes passionate plea for fans to get behind serial entertainer James Tennyson

Eddie Hearn has called for fight fans to stand behind a fighter who keeps knocking them over.

The Matchroom boss believes James Tennyson has earned his shot at stardom and made a passionate plea for fans to lend ‘The Assassin’ their support.

The promoter wants to make the Mark Dunlop managed lightweight a Belfast headliner – and seems to suggest he needs fans to stop sleeping on a fighter that puts them to sleep in order to do so.

Speaking after Tennyson made it six consecutive knockout wins, and 24 victories inside the distance in total, with a first round demolition of world ranked Josh O’Reilly, Hearn said: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re from Belfast, England, Australia, it doesn’t matter.

“If you love knockouts, if you love entertainment, then watch and support this young man. He is absolutely ruthless.

“Some fighters, they go in and they perform. Some fighters, they have off nights. He doesn’t have off nights. He goes in and lets his hands go every single time.”

Tennyson, manager Dunlop, stablemate Tommy McCarthy and Hearn have been suggesting a Matchroom return to Belfast inches closer with every win.

It now seems full steam ahead with regard to putting the former Irish, Commonwealth, British and European champ and the top of an SSE Arena card.

With the quiet Tennyson doing his talking in the ring, something which makes him all the more endearing, Hearn is keen to beat the ‘Tenny’ drum loudly, presumably in a bid to ensure a first show in Belfast for Sky since Ryan Burnett unified world titles in 2017 is a success.

“Belfast, you love your boxing – you’ve got to get behind this kid.

“You’ve got Tommy McCarthy now with a European title, we can bring the big nights back.”

The promoter is confident the 27-year-old can emerge from under the radar to be a success in a division packed with young and exciting names.

“I will put him in with anyone in the division, anyone – because he has the ability to take anyone out.

“I think he’s one of the best-kept secrets at 135lb. I think he’s one of the most exciting fighters in boxing. I think he’s one of the hardest punchers pound-for-pound in boxing.

“Get behind him because this kid is going to entertain you every time he steps through the ropes.”

There has been plenty of talk with regard to what Tennyson should do next. Should the fighter who challenged for a super featherweight world title jump to world level at lightweight or have some bridging fights in between?

Hearn explained his preferred route for the 27-year-old: “For me he needs another fight at a higher level than Josh O’Reilly before we can start thinking about Teofimo Lopez and Gervonta Davis.

“But there’s plenty of fights out there we love. I love the Jorge Linares fight. Linares at the Odyssey when crowds are allowed back in next year is the one.”

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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