Eddie Hearn embraces Dana White war, open to peace talks

Eddie Hearn says he is not interested in making peace with Dana White despite an offer from Turki Alalshikh to mediate between the rival promoters.

The Matchroom chief told DAZN's Chris Mannix on Saturday that White and his Zuffa Boxing operation are unaccustomed to serious competition and bristle at criticism. "Well, if that's the case, you'd better get out of boxing real quick, because it's a long, drawn-out war," Hearn said, per The Ring. "I love competing. It doesn't have to get personal, it doesn't have to get nasty. But know one thing: We're gonna win."

Alalshikh pushes for unity ahead of Fury-Joshua

Alalshikh, who chairs Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority and owns The Ring, recently proposed bringing Hearn, White, Frank Warren, and DAZN executives together for talks. The Saudi powerbroker called the group his brothers and partners and said he hopes boxing fans will see white smoke rise from the chimney. Hearn acknowledged the offer but said he doubts a group handshake will end the sparring. "When you leave the room, everybody starts again anyway," he said after Jaron Ennis stopped Xander Zayas at Barclays Center. "It's like a real-life war negotiation."

The tensions center partly on the upcoming Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua heavyweight bout. Hearn confirmed that Matchroom and Joshua have a contract in place and are not eager to renegotiate terms, though he said he will listen to what Alalshikh has to say. "The only way things can change in the contract is with Joshua and me agreeing to change that," he said, adding it would be easier to keep the fight in the UK as planned. He also noted that Joshua must first beat Kristian Prenga on July 25 before any showdown with Fury can proceed.

Hearn said he respects boxing's other stubborn operators, naming Bob Arum and Warren as long-serving competitors who will not roll over for White's new boxing venture. "There is room for everyone in this sport, but they don't want room for everybody," he said. Alalshikh's proposed summit has no confirmed date.

Source: ringmagazine.com