Eddie Hearn and Matchroom announced the signing of Ben Whittaker in humorous fashion on Monday, posting a spoof of a scene from the film Jerry Maguire.
The unbeaten Whittaker, a former Team GB boxer who won Olympic silver in 2021, is viewed by many as one of the best talkers in boxing – as is Hearn. In that regard, the pair seem a match made in boxing heaven.
And they announced their new partnership with a twist on Monday (6 October), spoofing an iconic scene from the 1997 sports-romance film Jerry Maguire, which stars Tom Cruise.
“Eddie, the thing is: I don’t think no one’s looking out for Ben,” says Whittaker, 28, in the video.
“Just… Ben. Ben, just tell me: what can I do for you?” replies Hearn, replicating the words of Maguire – portrayed by Cruise in the 1997 movie.
“Let me tell you, this is what you’re gonna do for me. It’s very personal, and it’s a very important thing: show me the money,” demands Whittaker, embodying the part of the fictional American footballer player Rod Tidwell – played by Cuba Gooding Jr in Jerry Maguire. “Hey, you hear that, Eddie?”
“Yeah, I’ll show you the money,” Hearn says, before Whittaker retorts: “Not show ‘you’, show ‘me’.” A back-and-forth continues, referencing the rest of the famous scene.
In an interview with Matchroom, Whittaker said: “I came very close to signing before, but I’m here now, and that’s the main thing.
“I first met Eddie as an amateur when I was training in Sheffield, and ‘AJ’ [Anthony Joshua] was there in the gym. We always knew this time would come, and I’m very happy that this moment has finally arrived to work together.
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“I’m grateful to Eddie and Frank Smith [Matchroom Boxing CEO]. All my family have known this is where I always wanted to be. I remember being shown around [Matchroom HQ] during Covid, and Eddie said then he wanted to make me a star and make me a champion. It didn’t quite pan out then but we’re here now, with a better haircut than I had back then, and as a better version of me.
“I think with Eddie and Matchroom Boxing, I will become even more of a household name and one day become a world champion.”
Hearn, 46, added: “He is phenomenal. This is the greatest signing to make in Boxing today. Ben Whittaker is a generational talent, and we are ready to take his career to a whole new level.”
Whittaker last fought in April, stopping Liam Cameron in round two to get back on track after their controversial first fight. That bout, in October, ended as a technical draw after both men toppled over the top rope, with Whittaker unable to keep boxing.
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