Matchroom Boxing founder and president, Barry Hearn, has revealed that he could have signed boxing sensation Tyson Fury years before his son Eddie reportedly had the chance to do the same— and when he wasn’t yet a professional, no less.
While Eddie Hearn recently explained how he had the chance to sign Tyson Fury during his appearance on Gary Neville’s ‘Stick to Football’ series on The Overlap YouTube channel, it turns out his dad and Matchroom godfather Barry also could have signed the Manc boxing star in his very early days.
Although Eddie detailed how he and his team ultimately passed up on the opportunity back in 2017 due to concerns over ‘The Gyspy King’s weight, according to Hearn Sr., the sporting promotion company might have lucked in on his incredible career years prior were it not for some big demands.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Lucky Block Casino, the 75-year-old insisted that not only did both he and his son “get it wrong”, but that Matchroom Sport could have secured Fury’s signature for what would now be seen as an absolute steal in the world of professional boxing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8Lxq5Earw8
As the OBE and former Professional Darts Corporation chair recalls, long before the subsequent meeting in Monaco roughly seven years ago, he first came across the Wythenshawe-born heavyweight at a fight in Newcastle, at which point his first impression was: “Big lad, great name”.
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Hearn goes on to joke that he “could see money going around” in his head once his father John Fury said he was going pro and wanted to sign with him, but confessed that the terms were simply too rich for his blood when they demanded a £100,000 signing-on fee”.
Reiterating that such a number would have been a lot of money for someone who was still an unproven talent, especially back in those days, he held his hands up and admitted, “I made the first mistake” — little did he know his son and successor would go on to make the same one years later.
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Defending their latter position that they simply didn’t believe the current WBC champion was capable of recovering his career in 2017, when Fury famously suffered from bouts of depression and weight gain, Hearn simply added: “You can have to take your hat off to Tyson Fury, he turned his life around”.
Barry went on to discuss the likes of Anthony Joshua too and his own hopes of regaining that boxing supremacy that he was on course for, insisting that he wants him to secure the big fights against the likes of Wilder, Fury and more.
As for the 35-year-old fighter himself, Fury looks to have finally booked his long-talked-about and heavily drawn-out match against Oleksandr Usyk.
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Is it actually going to happen this time?
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk latest official ‘Ring of Fire’ fight poster ahead of Feb 17th… pic.twitter.com/hCiG2IB7lj
Featured Images — Lucky Block Casino/paul62_2017 (via Flickr)
Sport
Macclesfield FC player Ethan McLeod tragically killed in car crash
Danny Jones
Local footballer Ethan McLeod, who played for Macclesfield FC, has sadly died following a tragic car crash on the motorway.
The Birmingham-born player and former Wolves academy talent was driving back home from Macclesfield’s away game against Bedford Town on Tuesday night when he was involved in a collision along the M1.
Just 21 years old, the talented Cheshire-based forward was a substitute in the 2-1 win over the East Midlands side in the National League North.
The accident is said to have occurred at around 10:40pm on 16 December near Northampton after his white Mercedes collided with a barrier.
You can read the official Silkmen statement in full down below:
“With the heaviest of hearts and an overwhelming sense of surrealism that Macclesfield FC can confirm the passing of 21-year-old forward Ethan McLeod.
Travelling back from Bedford Town last night, Ethan was involved in a car accident on the M1, which tragically took his life. Ethan was an incredibly talented and well-respected member of our First Team Squad, who had his whole life ahead of him.
“But more than that, Ethan’s infectious personality endeared him to everyone that he came into contact with. In giving his all in everything he did, Ethan effortlessly pushed us all to be the best we can be – both on and off the pitch.
“Ethan’s professionalism and unwavering work ethic inspired everyone, and his lust for life put smiles on all our faces – even on the darkest of days. News of Ethan’s passing has devastated our entire Club, and no words can convey the immense sense of sadness and loss that we feel now.
Rest in peace, Ethan McLeod.
The Macclesfield FC forward was involved in a car accident that took his life when travelling back from Bedford Town on Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/A3u7JFmdlE
“The deep mental scars elicited from Ethan’s passing will undeniably never heal”, they continued, “but one thing is for sure, and that is Ethan’s vibrant legacy will never fade, no matter how much time passes in the future.
“Ethan will live in our hearts and minds forevermore, and no matter what the future holds, his unique smile that mesmerised us all will never be forgotten.
“Our deepest sympathy goes out to Ethan’s family and friends at this deeply traumatic time, together with an assurance that we will provide as much support as we can to those who need it. May you rest in peace, Ethan – you will forever be a Silkman.
His past clubs, as well as plenty of other teams, organisations and people in and around the footballing world, are paying tribute to the promising youngster.
Rest in peace.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Macclesfield forward Ethan McLeod who has passed away following a car accident last night.
The 21 year old spent a number of years with the academy setup at Wolves and will be missed by many. #WWFCpic.twitter.com/MSjKaISMKT
Featured Images — Wikimedia Commons/Macclesfield FC (via X)
Sport
Sale Sharks sign experienced Welsh international on a three-year deal
Danny Jones
Sale Sharks have signed highly rated Welsh international Nicky Smith ahead of next season.
His arrival is the latest among a number of key new signings, not to mention some notable outgoings from Alex Sanderson’s setup.
Smith, 31, has signed a three-year deal with the Sharks after rounding out his contract and campaign with Leicester Tigers this year.
A seasoned rugby union prop with more than a dozen years of experience, he spent over a decade with the Ospreys back in Wales before making his first senior appearances in England in 2024, making his debut in March and going on to be named in the league’s team of the season in his inaugural Tigers term.
Coming to the CorpArq stadium with a great amount of experience, strength, and overall physicality, the powerful loosehead will get underway with Sale at the start of the 2026/27 season.
Swansea-born Smith spent his amateur rugby year with his hometown club, Waunarlwydd RFC, before representing Aberavon and eventually going pro with Ospreys by 2012.
He went on to play two centuries of games in the United Rugby Championship (URC) before finally introducing himself to the Gallagher Prem last year, making a total of 31 appearances for the East Midlands side and 10-time title winners.
With that in mind, it’s fair to say he’s proved a good fit for the division as well as for his national team, earning 59 caps for The Dragons.
Though many see his age bracket as the one where rugby players’ careers typically start to wind down, Smith is clearly confident that he has plenty more to give at this level.
Coming to Manchester soon 🔥
Nicky Smith heads up North with a lot of experience in the Prem and on international level 🏴
Speaking on signing with the Sharks, Nicky said: “I spoke to Alex Sanderson, and I loved how ambitious he was about what the club wants to achieve. It’s really exciting to be joining a team that is so clear about wanting to win things and compete for every trophy.
“As an opposition player, Sale is always a really tough place to go, and as a forward, you know that you need to front up […] Sale have so many quality international players, especially in the front row, so I can’t wait to play and train with those lads because I know that will help my game.”
As for the Director of Rugby himself, ‘Al’ added: “Nicky has been one of the most aggressive, consistent, high-quality scrummagers in the Prem over the past couple of years.
“He’s caused us a lot of trouble when we’ve played Leicester in that period, and we’ve always felt that we’d love to have him here…” You read what else the pair had to say in the full club statement right HERE.
Danny Jones -
15th January 2024 
