Either Adrien Broner is delusional or none of us know what he really makes.
That was the feedback from social media after Broner turned down a three-fight, $6.75 million offer from British-based, Matchroom Sport promoter Eddie Hearn, who is seeking to sign Broner and other American stars to his newest division, Matchroom Boxing USA.
Hearn’s funding will come from a reported $1 billion deal with the Perform Group’s streaming service, DAZN. Details surrounding DAZN are still murky, but the OTT platform will be available to the U.S. market for an undisclosed fee. However, Hearn needs product to feature on this app. Broner is one of his top targets.
On Wednesday, the four-division champ took to social media to post what appears to be an email from Hearn or a Hearn affiliate detailing the offer to Broner:
The email read: Further to our recent conversations, you may have seen our announcement last week for our new deal for 16 shows per year in the US. I would be very interested to offer Adrien a three-fight promotional agreement as follows:
Fight 1 – Sept 2018 – Purse $2,000,000
Fight 2 – March 2019 – Purse $2,250,000
Fight 3 – September 2019 – Purse $2,500,000
This will give AB security and also a concrete schedule to work from. 3 fights in 12 months!
Broner wasn’t impressed. See his response below the Matchroom email:
Broner’s last purse, for his draw with Jessie Vargas on April 21 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, was $1 million. However, as a co-promoter, Broner also receives another portion of the licensing fee and there are other potential revenue streams available to him, including the live gate. The total amount may exceed what Hearn is offering.
Stephen Espinoza, President and General Manager of Showtime Sports & Event Programming, took to Twitter last night to respond to Broner’s critics:
It was silly of him to think that AB isn't already making more than $2.5M a fight.
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) May 24, 2018
Nevertheless, Hearn will continue to reach out to U.S. fighters. He is currently negotiation with the Charlo twins, Jermall – the interim WBC world middleweight champion and former IBF world super welterweight titlist, and Jermell – the current WBC world junior middleweight champion.
Stay tuned to BoxingAfrica.com for more details.
