In his opinion, that decision will affect how titles are treated going forward. If a sanctioning body cannot enforce its procedures, he expects the impact to extend beyond one fight. He pointed to the upcoming fight as the moment to watch.
“The most interesting thing that’s going to happen over the next few weeks is that fight,” Hearn said. “The IBF will not be allowed to do what they usually do there. There is no way, in my opinion, that Zuffa will allow them to do that, and they will have to make a decision.”
Hearn suggested that if sanctions bodies were blocked from applying their rules, they could refuse to recognize certain results. This, he argued, would create what he called a “big freeze,” with fighters headed in one direction potentially separated from the traditional title route.
“This will be the moment where everything changes,” he said. “That will be the big freeze.”
Hearn believes sanctions bodies will have to make their position known soon instead of leaving the issue unresolved.
“These are the rules. Can you confirm we will be allowed to do this?” he said, describing the type of exchange he expects. “The answer will be no, or they just won’t answer.”
For Hearn, the issue is not theoretical. He sees the next few weeks as crucial in determining whether boxing continues under a single recognized championship path or begins to operate with competing versions of legitimacy.
