Eddie Hearn has unveiled his bold plan to bring American superstar Deontay Wilder Down Under, while also promising to be back in Australia by July to have hyped prospect Teremoana Jnr fight for the Australian heavyweight title.
Speaking after the first card of his new Australian broadcasting deal on Wednesday night, the Matchroom Boxing boss also declared himself well ahead of UFC and Zuffa Boxing boss Dana White when it comes to the tag of world’s greatest promoter, declaring: “It ain’t even f***ing close”.
After sitting ringside to watch both Teremoana and Skye Nicolson record big wins inside the Melbourne Pavilion, Hearn said he now wants the pair to take huge steps up in their next fights – while also making a Main Event pay-per-view blockbuster for another of his Australian clients, Justis Huni.
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Teremoana v Tupou: Full Fight Highlights | 04:45
For Teremoana, the said step up means headlining a July card against either Australian heavyweight champ Stevan Ivic or 125kg Sydney wrecking ball Ben Sila, the latter of whom has himself gone 11 fights without loss.
Nicolson, meanwhile, is also now mandatory for undisputed super bantamweight queen Ellie Scotney.
Hearn also revealed his plans to have Huni headline a Main Event pay-per-view in August, with longtime American favourite Wilder now atop a list of possible rivals that also includes Jarrell Miller and Derek Chisora.
Wilder, a former WBC world champion, is one of the division’s marquee names, with the famed puncher boasting a hyped trilogy against Tyson Fury.
Asked what was next for Teremoana meanwhile, who scored a brutal KO against Bowie Tupou, and Hearn stressed it was now time to step up the opposition for a fighter he insists is going to be world heavyweight champion.
“And July, that’s what we’re looking to do,” he said. “Step him up into those big fights.
“Teremoana wants to become Australian heavyweight champion.
“And I know people say about the opponent and everything, but to go in and starch someone like that? It’s so natural the way he is flowing with his shots.
“I think he’s going to be the world heavyweight champion. I really do … So I think we need to headline him next.
“And I think we need to fight Ben Sila or Stevan Ivic. Hopefully the latter, for the Australian title.
“But they have to be willing to fight him. It’s all very well to just pluck a number out of the sky and say ‘we’ll fight him for this much’.
“We’re going to pay big money.
“But you’ve gotta actually want the fight and hopefully one of those guys steps up.”
Australian heavyweight Justis Huni.Source: Getty Images
Hearn said that fight would form part of a huge three months for Australian fight fans that also includes his IBF welterweight champ Lewis Crocker facing Liam Paro in June, and Tim Tszyu taking on Errol Spence Jnr in July.
While Hearn is still in discussions to keep Huni – and amid growing speculation he could sign with Zuffa Boxing – the Matchroom boss stressed that he remains confident of re-signing the hulking Queenslander.
“We’ve got one fight left with him and I don’t see why not,” Hearn said. “He wants big fights and we’ve got the platform.
“And we were talking today about bringing over a superstar name.
“I think Deontay Wilder would be a terrific fight to bring to Australia. You’ve also got Derek Chisora, Jarrell Miller just had a big win … these are big names who will light up whatever city we go in.
“I think Justis deserves one of those fights and we’ll be looking to bring him one of those big names.”
Elsewhere, Hearn also took a crack at longtime US promoter Lou DiBella, who hours earlier had declared on The Ariel Helwani show that UFC boss White was a better promoter than the Englishman.
“Lou Di Bella is the most bitter man I’ve ever met in boxing,” Hearn grinned.
“They actually said ‘who is the better promoter?’ and he said ‘well, Dana White’s business is more capitalised’ …
“That wasn’t the question mate. It’s ‘who is the better promoter?’. It ain’t even f***ing close to be honest with you.
“And listen, they’ve got a fantastic company.
“They’re a hugely powerful people.
“But who is the better promoter?
“Lou DiBella watches me do what I do and every night he struggles to sleep. That’s how bitter that man is.
“I love Lou. But I’m watching that thinking ‘you don’t even work in boxing anymore and you’re still bitter’ … what more can I say.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 18: Eddie Hearn, Chairperson of Matchroom Sports, looks on during the Matchroom Sport fight card at M&S Bank Arena on April 18, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Elsewhere, and speaking after his crazy first round finish against Tupou, Teremoana left no doubt about what he wants next
“I keep on asking for the Aussie title, I want that,” he said.
“But I’m ready for anyone who steps in the ring against me. I’m going to prove myself all the way to the top.
“He [Ivic] is a good fella. There obviously have been talks but I stay out of it.
“I’m the fighter.”
The 28-year-old also declared himself interested in eventually having an all-Australian showdown against Huni.
“That would be an awesome fight,” he said. “He’s obviously just fought for a world title against Fabio Wardley and was unfortunate there. But then has had a good comeback win against Frazer Clarke.
“So he’s a little bit further ahead than me.
“And someone like that, they don’t want to give up their spot to somebody like me. I’m a massive risk. So if he was to take that fight, obviously I’m going to win.
“But I’m not quite there yet with the ranks. So we’ll get the Aussie title and move up the rankings.”
But as for being ready for Huni right now?
“One hundred per cent,” he replied.
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Nicolson DOMINATES Turner | 01:16
Hearn, meanwhile, was also asked about Nicolson defending WBC interim gold in a shut out against a game Mariah Turner.
“It was a great performance,” he said of the Queensland star.
“Obviously Skye is a great boxer so sometimes she wins fights comfortably by doing just that.
“But tonight, main event, you’ve got to entertain and she did that. She hurt Mariah Turner, who by the way was extremely tough.
“But Skye is pound for pound in women’s boxing.
“And after that great comeback from the Tiara Brown loss, she’s rebuilt really well, dropped to 122 pounds … it’s time now for the megafights.
“She deserves them.”
So as for landing Scotney, who has already spoken of moving up to face Amanda Serrano?
“It’s really up to Ellie Scotney,” he said. “It just so happens she has every belt. She’s a fantastic fighter.
“But she wants big fights, MVP wants big fights and that’s one of the biggest fights in women’s boxing.
“I also know Ellie is looking to move to 126 [pounds]. Has been looking to do it for a while.
“But hopefully she hangs around for one more big fight down there.
“But if not, Skye will look to become champion and look to unify the division.
“But time now to really test herself against the best in the sport.”
Asked about taking on Scotney next, Nicolson said afterwards: “I want the big fights, I want superfights, I want to be headlining.
“I’m ready for those opportunities and that’s where you are going to see the best version of me.
“I shine in high pressure situations.
Nicolson v Turner: Full Fight Highlights | 04:42
“From what I’m hearing she [Scotney] is quite adamant about moving up but money talks. And the fight can be made.
“This is the biggest fight in women’s boxing at 122 pounds. And the biggest fight for Ellie Scotney.
“If she does move up I’ll collect the belts one by one.
“But I don’t want to be fighting for vacant belts. I want to be dethroning champions.”
Elsewhere, Hearn also confirmed he had signed exciting Australian lightweight prospect Jesse Bolt – aka ‘Tip Rat’ – following his huge KO win against Faavesi Isaako to open the Matchroom broadcast.
Asked about the card generally, the UK promoter said: “I thought it was absolutely mental.
“I’ve never seen anything so wild.
“The first fight comes out, knockout of the year. Then second fight, Andrew Hunt against Ben Hussain, for me, was one of the best fights I’ve seen this year.
“Unbelievable. I’d love to run that fight back.
“Could’ve gone either way. Then the Jake Wyllie second round was one of the more bizarre things I’ve ever seen. Wild.”
And as for Bolt specifically?
“He said to me tonight, ‘one of the things I wrote down that I wanted to do when I turned pro was meet you’,” Hearn revealed. “I said ‘well, you’ve just fought on my card and I’m going to sign you’.
“He was like ‘whaaat?’.
“I want exciting fights and he is so exciting. That first bell went and he came out like a lunatic.
“He’s a huge ticket seller and he can fight.
“And we want people who can fight. I look forward to bringing him to the Matchroom team.”