Combat sports fans shall be spoiled for selection this weekend with two improbable events happening just down the road from one another in Las Vegas; UFC 306 headlined by Sean O’Malley, and a boxing showdown involving Canelo Alvarez.
Whilst fans and pundits alike proceed to argue which event shall be the one to tug greater PPV numbers, iconic promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing has now offered his thoughts on the clashing of two combat heavyweights.
Eddie Hearn weighs in on the UFC 306 vs Canelo Alvarez fight debate
Over the past week, almost the whole combat sports world has been busy debating which show, Canelo Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga or the UFC 306 PPV, shall be the one to dominate the headlines come Sunday morning.
Yet despite the arguments on either side, Eddie Hearn believes that fans are missing the larger picture – telling The Schmo the way it’s incredibly rare for 2 such unbelievable cards to go down on the identical night.
“I just think it’s really weird how individuals are so obsessive about the business… I mean it’s great that they’re passionate, but you’ve actually got people happening seat maps and counting seats, what number of are left and stuff like that.
“Two amazing events, two different sports, two different audiences – yes there’s a crossover – but just have fun it, you already know? The event at The Sphere goes to be amazing, that is going to be an important fight and atmosphere for the most important star in combat sports in Canelo Alvarez.”
The message from the consensus best promoter within the boxing world is a quite easy one: “Enjoy it – you’ve got a selection,” between two awesome shows.
“You’ve got Walgreens [Pharmacy], otherwise you’ve got CVS; make your selection, two great shops.”
Whilst Hearn is bang on the cash when he says that, whether you might be a predominantly boxing or MMA fanatic, there are some amazing fights on offer this weekend- although there’s one other clash that fans are also eagerly awaiting to see play out.
Former world champion and divisive promoter Oscar De La Hoya is about to make a surprise appearance at UFC 306, and never the Canelo Alvarez fight, due to the person funding the MMA spectacle, Turki Alalshikh.
“I don’t know [about that], I mean one thing with Dana is that he’s not going to play ball,” stated Hearn, who noted that it’s unlikely the UFC President will try and squash their beef simply because the chairman of the GEA is in attendance.
“Dana White cannot stand Oscar De La Hoya, and I don’t think he’s going to play ball simply to be all pally-pally. Oscar has lots to say, and he’s got an obsession with Canelo Alvarez, he just must let it go as Elsa said [in Frozen].
“Just cleanse your soul and let that toxicity be faraway from your life and just carry on smiling.”
Sean O’Malley believes UFC 306 will pull higher numbers than Canelo vs Berlanga
Whilst Eddie Hearn is hopeful that combat sports fans can discover a approach to enjoy each events this weekend, the foremost man of the hour for the UFC has a quite different opinion on which show will dominate the headlines.
“I do consider the numbers shall be higher for the UFC and us that night,” Sean O’Malley told the First Take team earlier this week.
“I do consider that Sunday-Monday, that week, it’s going to all be in regards to the Suga Show. I’m defending my belt, the bantamweight champion fighting the primary guy [who’s on a] 10-fight win streak within the UFC, the most effective and largest platform in MMA sports.”
It’s secure to say that O’Malley isn’t impressed with the boxing showcase being considered another choice to the Noche UFC bonanza, even claiming that he’s already forgotten who he’s meant to be competing against.
“The Canelo’s fighting a man – I do know you told me his name the opposite day and I forgot it already – Yeah, [Edgar] Burrito… I feel the UFC, we’re going to crush it.”
UFC 306: O’Malley vs Dvalishvili and Canelo Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga each go down this weekend, September 14, live from Las Vegas.
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