By Matthew Brown
11/29/2024
In the latest edition of Clap Back Thursday, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya levied explosive allegations against Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn. De La Hoya accused the renowned boxing promoter of having an inappropriate relationship with WBC Featherweight Champion Skye Nicolson, who has been signed to Matchroom since 2022.
Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing
The accusations stemmed from a rhetorical question posed in a previous video by Amanda Serrano’s manager, Nakisa Bidarian. Bidarian questioned why Hearn seemed more focused on positioning Nicolson for a fight against Serrano instead of praising Katie Taylor. Taylor, also a Matchroom signee, had just secured a spectacular split-decision victory over Serrano, yet Matchroom’s social media accounts reportedly shifted their promotional focus to Nicolson. De La Hoya responded sharply, saying, “I think I may know the answer. It’s no secret Eddie and Skye Nicolson have been linked romantically since 2022. Rumors have been flying throughout the boxing community about them for years.”
Video Credit: Oscar De La Hoya Instagram
He went further, accusing Hearn of exhibiting “unethical and preferential treatment,” which he suggested was tied to this alleged relationship.
Skye Nicolson, who made her professional debut on March 3, 2022, against Jessica Juarez at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in San Diego, has enjoyed a remarkable career trajectory and prime spots on Matchroom cards.
Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing
Her crowning moment came in 2024 when she captured the vacant WBC Featherweight Championship after defeating Sarah Mahfoud via unanimous decision on April 6 in Las Vegas. Nicolson has since successfully defended her title twice.
Most recently, in a historic fight in Saudi Arabia, Nicolson defeated Raven Chapman, handing the previously unbeaten fighter her first professional loss. The bout was the first women’s world title boxing fight held in Saudi Arabia and a featured event of the Riyadh Season.
The allegations have rocked the boxing world, with many questioning the ethical dynamics of promoter-boxer relationships and the potential ramifications such claims may have on the careers of Hearn and Nicolson, and the sport as a whole.
Neither Hearn nor Nicolson have responded to De La Hoya’s incendiary claims. De La Hoya’s video, however, has already been deleted. Addressing the removal, De La Hoya said, “The truth always hurts,” suggesting the video’s virality and its coverage in the media led to its takedown.
Subscribe to the Brunch Boxing website, Twitter and Podcast for more updates and in-depth coverage of the world of boxing in and out of the ring.
Brunch Boxing Support Links:
Comments