Well known boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has taken a new step outside his usual role in the sport of boxing. He recently started the Matchroom Talent Agency, and the first athlete he signed is UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
The agency plans to help athletes build opportunities away from competition. That includes sponsorships, endorsements, and other commercial partnerships.
Hearn explained that after meeting Aspinall and spending time with him, he quickly became a fan of the British heavyweight.
“Love Tom Aspinall,” Hearn told IFL.tv. “Because he has never been spoiled and he’s never really experienced what he should experience, which is the best treatment in the world and the feeling of ‘you are a superstar.’ I think he felt like that last week.
“That translates into the gym. That translates into performances and that translates in the way that you carry yourself. I saw that change over the four or five days of meeting and getting to know Tom.”
According to Hearn, the change in confidence was noticeable once Aspinall began to see how the partnership could expand his career.
Sponsorship deals already being arranged
Although Hearn will not handle fight negotiations with the UFC, he is already focusing on business opportunities outside the octagon.
Aspinall is currently recovering from double eye surgery following his most recent fight against Ciryl Gane, which means a return to competition will take time. During that recovery period, Hearn says he has already begun arranging commercial agreements.
He believes those deals could generate significant earnings for the champion.
“We are closing in on a number of deals for Tom Aspinall,” Hearn revealed. “Commercial deals where I would say UFC fighters have got to understand the job that we’ll be doing. Tom Aspinall, having been with Matchroom Talent Agency for what will be 10 days to two weeks, he will make more money in commercial deals than he did for one of his recent fights.
“Within 10 days of working with Matchroom. Once of his recent fights, in the last four fights. So they’re leaving a lot of money on the table.”
Hearn did not reveal which specific fight purse he was comparing the deals to, but he made it clear that he believes many fighters miss chances to earn money outside the cage.
Aspinall’s recent run in the UFC
Aspinall has built strong momentum during the last few years in the heavyweight division.
His recent fights include a first round stoppage victory over Marcin Tybura in 2023. Soon after that win he stepped in on short notice to face Sergei Pavlovich for an interim title fight and secured another quick knockout.
Those performances helped establish Aspinall as one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the UFC and eventually led to his championship success.
While fighter pay in the UFC often becomes a major debate, Hearn believes athletes should also focus on opportunities they can control themselves.
“Forget how well or how not well they’re paid because that’s a big debate at the moment,” Hearn said. “That stuff has to be dealt with but there’s stuff that you can control. Take the bull by the horns. Make yourself a bigger star. Look at other opportunities outside of the octagon. Bring revenue to the table. Raise the profile. Drive commercial deals.
“It’s not difficult for us to do because we’re the best in the game at all that kind of stuff and Tom is a big star. So you’re going to see a couple of announcements over the next couple of days commercially that we’re going to be working with Tom.”
The promoter also mentioned that he plans to sign more athletes to the agency in the future. However, he said he will avoid managing boxers because he already promotes fights in that sport.
For now, Aspinall’s main priority is healing and returning to training.
Once the champion is ready, attention will likely turn to his next opponent. Hearn said the plan is for Aspinall to face the winner of the upcoming matchup between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane at the UFC event scheduled at the White House.
“Looking forward to him getting back into training,” Hearn said. “Obviously you’ve got that fight between and [Alex] Pereira and [Ciryl] Gane and he has to fight the winner.” via MMAFighting
With new representation working on major sponsorship opportunities, Aspinall’s career could soon grow not only inside the cage but also in the business world outside of it.
