Eddie Hearn mulls Nicola Adams pro offer

Tori Ellis Willetts on Nicola Adams

PROMOTER Eddie Hearn is considering approaching Nicola Adams to stage professional boxing events featuring the two-time Olympic gold medallist.

Adams, the first female boxing gold medallist ever at an Olympic Games and the first Briton to win two Olympic gold medals since Harry Mallin, is a historic figure.

โ€œI was at the GQ Awards and Nicola Adams was there and I was stunned by the reception she got, she was presenting an award. I was stunned. She actually presented AJ with the sportsman of the year award for GQ,โ€ Hearn said. โ€œThere are some chats going on about Nicola in terms of does she go pro and stuff like that. That night made me think Iโ€™m not sure about womenโ€™s boxing, I think itโ€™s fantastic that women are involved in the sport but what is the future of womenโ€™s professional boxing in this market when there isnโ€™t particularly big demand or interest from broadcasters? But if itโ€™s ever going to work, itโ€™s going to work with her.

โ€œIf weโ€™re ever going to do it, nowโ€™s the time.โ€

Boxing News also asked the promoter how much missing out on gold might have cost Olympic super-heavyweight silver medallist Joe Joyce. The Briton lost a controversial final decision to Tony Yoka at Rio 2016.

โ€œItโ€™s difficult with Joe because heโ€™s a little bit older [than the average Olympian]. What has it cost him? A million quid signing on? Itโ€™s cost him hundreds of thousands. But it doesnโ€™t mean heโ€™s on his arse now. Heโ€™s still got a good opportunity,โ€ Hearn said.

The third British medallist at this yearโ€™s Olympics, Joshua Buatsi, who won bronze in Rio, has of course also caught the promoterโ€™s eye. โ€œYouโ€™ve got Buatsi as well who I really like the look of,”ย Hearn noted. “Maybe we sign all three? Maybe none of them want to join Matchroom. I donโ€™t know.โ€

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