Eddie Hearn Details Plans For The Return Of Live Crowds

Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn has laid out the journey to holding events in front of live crowds again.

The combat sports world has been plagued by the lack of live gates. This has caused a loss in revenue for all boxing and MMA promoters. Hearn has been pushing for the return of fans in attendance for boxing events in the UK. He was close to getting his wish in September but the Government of the United Kingdom delayed the allowance of live crowds due to a spike in COVID-19 cases.

During an interview with BoxingScene.com, Hearn said that the goal is to slowly but surely bring in more fans to the events as time progresses.

“I am planning the fights with no fans at the moment. We will have the same venue for four events and just keep canvassing, asking for 1,500 or 2,000 fans to be let in. I don’t like to go into big arenas and seeing loads of empty seats everywhere. We have to get creative with the production, but the plan is to fill them up or at least certainly get some bums on seats. Early doors I hope we can get 1,000 in, show the Government how we can get it done safely and from there escalating to AJ.”

Hearn is hoping to get a decent live audience for the December 12 showdown between Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev. Joshua will put his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO Heavyweight Titles on the line. The plan is to have Joshua vs. Pulev take place inside the O2 Arena in London, England.