Eddie Hearn appeared to shove rival promoter Ben Shalom (Image: DAZN)
Eddie Hearn was caught on camera shoving his promotional rival Ben Shalom during the explosive face-off between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn in Manchester.
The pair squared up ahead of their highly anticipated middleweight clash set for April 26 in London, with tensions boiling over when . Security had to intervene as Benn tried to retaliate against Eubank Jr.
‼️‼️EDDIE HEARN PUSHES BEN SHALOM IN THE MIDST OF EUBANK EGGING BENN
— On The Record Boxing (@OnTheRecordBox)
The altercation escalated further when Hearn and Shalom, both present on stage, got into a scuffle while attempting to calm the situation. A video that surfaced online shows Hearn pushing Shalom amid the chaos. The promoters then engaged in a tense verbal exchange post-press conference.
In a statement to BOXRAW about the incident, Hearn remarked: “We are on good terms. I believe he (Shalom) didn’t know about it (the egg),” to which Shalom quickly responded: “You know I didn’t know about it.” Hearn retorted sharply: “No I didn’t because you’re a little snake.”
The war of words between Eddie Hearn and rival promoter Ben Shalom escalated as Hearn’s remarks provoked a sharp response from Shalom, who retorted: “You know I didn’t know about it, don’t talk, don’t talk s***. You can’t say things (like that).” A visibly irked Hearn shot back: “I’ve been very nice to you lately, I’ve given you a big education these past few weeks. I’ve told you, you’re very lucky to be talking to me.”
The Matchroom boss then disclosed that Shalom had jokingly asked him to join the board of his promotional outfit Boxxer, before Hearn dismissed the notion, saying, “But the reality of it is, it’s camp v camp,” and added, “So I don’t have any emotion towards this man. I just think it (the egging) was a b**** move.” Shalom stood by his claim of ignorance, explaining he had spent over two weeks attempting to predict what his top boxer, Eubank Jr, would reveal at the press conference. “He wouldn’t tell me, he wouldn’t tell his girlfriend, he wouldn’t tell his best friend,” insisted Shalom. “We know why now.”
Hearn responded with concern for Shalom’s management style: “You’ve got to have a closer relationship with your fighters. I’m a bit worried about you. He was the only man who knew about the egg. How did he smuggle it in? It was unbelievable. Next time I go up to him, I’m going to go, ‘Alright Chris’, and just try and pat the egg in there.” The entire egg debacle stemmed from Benn’s assertion that his 2022 failed drug test was due to consuming an excessive amount of eggs. The tension escalated quickly, with Benn and Eubank Jr being swiftly pulled apart when Benn tried to confront his rival following the incident in Manchester. Taking to social media afterwards, Benn declared: “That’s the only shot you’ll land on me you f****** p****. Two rounds you are finished.”