Days before next title defense, Joshua signs with promoter Hearn for rest of career

Just days before unified heavyweight world titlist Anthony Joshua is set to make a mandatory defense against former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, the British superstar announced on Tuesday that he has signed what was termed a “career-long promotional deal” with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, the only promoter he has known.

Joshua, who will face Usyk on Saturday (DAZN in the U.S., Sky Box Office in the U.K.) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, has been with Matchroom Boxing for every one of his professional fights since entering the pro ranks in 2013 following winning the Olympic super heavyweight gold medal for Great Britain in 2012.

“We’ve built some great foundations over the years and I appreciate Matchroom – the company, the team, the family business,” Joshua said. “That’s kind of what drew me towards you guys as well, the integrity that the Hearns have when it comes to boxing and business.”

Now, Joshua plans to remain with Hearn for the remainder of his career. Terms were not disclosed.

‘In my humble opinion, what better place to be than Matchroom Boxing?’ — Anthony Joshua

“I’ve felt comfortable during my years as a boxer and I always felt that the business outside of sport is harder than the actual fighting due to the history and some of the problems that some fighters have had,” Joshua said. “So, to be with (parent company) Matchroom Sport has been a blessing for myself, my family and my team.

“Outside of that, what Matchroom Sport have done is created an environment for boxing fans. The shows that we have managed to put on have been phenomenal. When I walk out to fight, I look around and I’m like, ‘mate, this is unbelievable.’ From where we began, to the middle of the journey, the foundations we have created are phenomenal and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Hearn, who has grown close to Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs), 31, through the years, was ecstatic to make sure they continue working together.

“When AJ and I met in the Matchroom HQ eight years ago, we had a vision and a dream that we shared together,” Hearn said. “There is something quite special about sharing a journey together from the professional debut to the day the gloves are hung up, but it takes a huge amount of belief and an unwavering loyalty. Over those eight years, AJ has been the face of British boxing, inspiring a new generation and audience to the sport we love.”

Joshua, the unquestioned face of British boxing and, along with Canelo Alvarez, the biggest star in boxing, rose from the gold medal to pro stardom quickly, winning a world title in his 16th fight by knocking out Charles Martin in the second round in 2016.

Six successful defenses followed, including an 11th-round knockout victory of the great former champion Wladimir Klitschko before a crowd of 90,000 at Wembley Stadium in London in the 2017 fight of the year, a unanimous decision over Joseph Parker to unify two major belts in 2018 and a seventh-round knockout of formidable Alexander Povetkin in 2018.

After Andy Ruiz scored a shocking seventh-round knockout over Joshua to take his belts in a massive upset in Joshua’s American debut in June 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, Hearn remained supportive and put on the immediate rematch in six months later in Saudi Arabia, where Joshua dominated in a one-sided decision to regain the belts.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Joshua has boxed just once since, a one-sided ninth-round knockout of mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev last December.

Usyk is next and, Joshua hopes, many more fights with Matchroom Boxing.

“In my humble opinion, what better place to be than Matchroom Boxing? I have heard that my signature was hot property. I’m happy where I am,” Joshua said. “A handshake is good enough for me, but the signature solidifies it and I’m happy where my signature is. Thank you to Eddie Hearn, (his father) Barry Hearn and the family, (Matchroom executive) Frank Smith and all of the Matchroom staff, as well as (manager) Freddie Cunningham and the team at 258MGT.”

Hearn added, “This is the fourth and final promotional agreement we have signed together, and I am honored that AJ has confirmed his future with Matchroom. Just like we did from the debut, myself and the great team at Matchroom will continue to work relentlessly for Anthony in the many chapters that remain. I also want to thank Frank Smith and the whole team at Matchroom along with Freddie Cunningham and 258, who we have had a seamless partnership with. Here is to an amazing night this Saturday and many more for us all to savor.”

Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

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