Eddie Hearn criticized Chris Eubank Jr as “disrespectful” for rejecting the opportunity to honor Ricky Hatton during a press event for his upcoming match against Conor Benn.
The passing of Hatton at 46 years old on Sunday deeply impacted the boxing community, prompting tributes worldwide for the esteemed British fighter. Hearn, a prominent figure in the sport, was one of many expressing admiration for Hatton. However, tensions arose when Hearn sought to speak briefly about Hatton during the press conference on Tuesday night.
Despite Hearn’s attempts to address the topic, Eubank Jr was heard singing in the background and dismissed Hearn’s request for a 30-second tribute. The exchange became heated as Eubank Jr insisted on sticking to a routine, prompting Hearn to rebuke him, calling him disrespectful.
The confrontation escalated with Eubank Jr labeling himself as the “bad guy,” while Hearn emphasized his intention to pay respects to Hatton. The verbal sparring led Hearn to call Eubank Jr derogatory names, expressing frustration at the fighter’s behavior.
Eubank Jr’s interruptions persisted throughout the press event, which aimed to promote the upcoming rematch between Benn and Eubank Jr scheduled for November. Their previous encounter ended in Eubank Jr’s victory, securing a win on points with unanimous judging in his favor.
During the press conference, Benn honored Hatton by donning a Manchester City shirt, a tribute to Hatton’s allegiance to the club. Hatton, a devoted City supporter, was commemorated by the team before their triumph over Manchester United in the Manchester derby on Sunday.
While Eubank Jr had paid tribute to Hatton on social media following his passing, the tension between him and Hearn at the press conference drew attention, overshadowing the promotional efforts for the upcoming fight.