Following a controversial fight night in Las Vegas, the Matchroom boss delivered one of the strongest public criticisms of a fighter he has ever made branding him “disgraceful.”
Eddie Hearn has never been shy of defending his fighters.
In fact, he has often said he would “die” for them.
But following a controversial fight night in Las Vegas last night, the Matchroom boss delivered one of the strongest public criticisms of a fighter he has ever made branding him “disgraceful.”
The Khalil Coe vs Jesse Hart contest was messy from start to finish.
Coe came into the fight eight pounds overweight, an unacceptable margin at this level, and the fight itself lacked quality.
Officials, fans and those backstage were left visibly frustrated as the bout descended into a scrappy affair.
During the contest, Coe was deducted a point for slamming Jesse Hart to the canvas in what could only be described as a wwe wrestling move, further highlighting the lack of control and professionalism on display.
Despite the deduction, Coe still edged a narrow majority points decision, but the victory did little to quiet the backlash that followed.
Speaking to IFL TV after the fight, Eddie Hearn made his feelings clear.
“I think it’s disgraceful.
“You cannot come into a fight eight pounds over. You’ve been training in Las Vegas, you’ve had plenty of notice for this fight, you’ve not mentioned anything, this is just not good enough.
“Fighters would die to be in Khalil Coe’s position.”
Hearn then went even further, criticising the quality of the contest itself.
“If you’re going to miss the weight, you’ve got to go and look sensational. Neither of them f***ing deserved it.
“He’s got to think about his career. I don’t want to be working with people who aren’t taking it seriously and not living the life. That’s the fourth or fifth time he has missed the weight.”
Khalil Coe signed with Matchroom Boxing with an impressive amateur pedigree and arrived with high expectations. Since then, Eddie Hearn has repeatedly shown loyalty, standing by Coe through difficult moments.
That support included backing him after a draw in his first fight under the Matchroom banner, as well as remaining supportive following his knockout loss to Gallegos. Even previous weight issues did not lead to public criticism until now.
Hearn has long been known for fiercely protecting his fighters, often stating he would “die” for them. That context makes his public condemnation of Coe all the more significant.
While Hearn stopped short of officially confirming a split, his words carried a clear warning.
The Matchroom boss made it known that he does not want to continue working with fighters who fail to take their careers seriously.
After missed weights, a draw, a knockout defeat, and now a chaotic fight in Las Vegas, this latest incident may prove to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
For a promoter who values discipline and professionalism, publicly calling one of his own fighters “disgraceful” speaks volumes.
And for Khalil Coe, it may signal that his future with Matchroom Boxing is now hanging by a thread.
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