Eddie Hearn talks Netflix's future in boxing before the streaming giant hosts Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson

Eddie Hearn on Netflix's future involvement in boxing events

Speaking to Ariel Helwani earlier this week, Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn was asked whether the broadcast of Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson on Netflix was a harbinger of the streaming giant becoming more involved in the sport in the future.

“I don’t know, you never say never,” the legendary promoter explained, before admitting that he doesn’t expect Netflix to become the platform of choice for boxing content in 2025.

“I don’t see a regular boxing schedule on the platform. Over time I may be wrong… I think that these one-off major events on Netflix with the ability to cross-promote with spin-off programming, you saw that with the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson stuff, I think really works .”

Netflix and Matchroom recently announced their own partnership for an exclusive behind-the-scenes boxing documentary series, produced by the team behind Drive To Survive (Formula One) and Full Swing (Golf), which will premiere on the streaming platform next year.

“And for us, our documentary series launching next year will be a behind-the-scenes look at boxing, like Drive To Survive, which revolutionized the sport… That gives us, our fighters and Matchroom a huge global audience to show , what we do in boxing and sports around the world.”

“I think they are [Netflix] will be very important and I'm sure this weekend has been a challenge for them, going into Sunday morning, but I hope they can achieve good results.”

While the entire boxing world would have unanimously condemned the Paul-Tyson fight, Hearn admitted that the silver lining was Netflix's Tudum; Simply put, the more platforms involved, the more people watching, the more money flows into the sport.

“I want more platforms in boxing, I want more money flowing into the boxing ecosystem, I want to keep – even our broadcaster – busy so that even broadcasting this fight is good for boxing.

“The undercard has some good fights, obviously Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano, so there will be a big audience and a lot of attention on the sport.”

Eddie Hearn addresses his comments about leaving the stadium before Tyson vs Paul

Hearn previously made headlines when he suggested leaving AT&T Stadium after Katie Taylor took on Amanda Serrano, but before the opening bell of the main event.

“You know, a lot of people ask me my opinion, and sometimes it can upset the MVP guys,” Hearn noted, explaining that while he wanted the event to go off without a hitch, he just didn’t want to play a crucial role role if something goes wrong.

“I've always been direct and honest, I'm not going to attack people, I'm not asking for this fight to be banned – I'm just saying it's not my thing… I don't want to see him back in the ring at 58, that is everything.”

“Listen, commercially I understand everything, it's going to be big, people are going to make a lot of money and it's fine – it's just the world we live in today… That doesn't suit me; Again, I get it and I wish everyone good luck, but I can say that I don’t really want to see it.”

Bloody Elbow recently spoke with Kevin McBride, the last boxer to beat Mike Tyson, about his thoughts on the former champion's return to the ring.

Tyson vs. Paul will air live from Arlington, Texas on Friday, November 15th.

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