Hearn is essentially saying that while Haney was built into a recognizable name, he never became a self-sustaining financial engine. The cost to his wallets, combined with the promotional spending, seemed to outweigh the ticket sales and DAZN subscriptions he brought in.
“I’m not willing to lose a few million putting Devin Haney on a card,” Hearn said.
Hearn explained that signing Haney was still important at the time, especially as a young American fighter with upside, but the numbers behind the performances didn’t fully deliver. He said Matchroom “paid through the nose” to bring Haney in and push him forward, even if the payoff wasn’t immediate.
That experience now shapes how he approaches Haney as an opponent or front runner. Hearn has made it clear that he is no longer willing to absorb losses just to attach a recognizable name to a card.
He contrasted this with promoters who may still be in a construction phase, referring to situations where companies are willing to take short-term financial hits.
“Others are. They might lose a few million, that’s fine because they’re building their roster,” Hearn said. “I’ve been in that position before. I’m not in that position anymore.”
Haney continued to secure big paydays, including appearances on Saudi-backed events and high-profile US cards, and Hearn acknowledged that the fighter and his father Bill handled their affairs well. But from a promoter’s point of view, the calculus has changed.
When the biggest promoter in the sport says he won’t put a guy in a main event because he’ll lose $2 million, it’s hard to argue that the fighter is a real “draw.” This suggests that Haney’s status was partly manufactured by high guarantees rather than organic fan demand.
