2026-04-21 10:58:01

Eddie Hearn believes that his lifestyle overhaul saved him from a “heart attack”.

The boxing promoter has put increased emphasis on his health in recent years and thinks it has spared him from serious heart problems brought on by the strains of his profession.

Hearn told Men’s Health UK: “With my family history (his father Barry Hearn has suffered three heart attacks) as well, I truly believe that if I hadn’t turned it around, I would probably have had a heart attack by now. Because it was just going one way…Stress, alcohol, lack of training.

“But I just feel like it’s such a big – I don’t know what word you want to use – flex, or whatever, to be in your late forties or going into your fifties in much better shape than you were in your teens or your twenties or your thirties; looking better than you’ve ever looked before.”

Hearn considers getting into shape to be one of the biggest accomplishments of his life, as he does not follow a regimented diet like most other people involved in sport.

The Matchroom chief said: “I’m just on the blag, at press conferences, eating out every night. That’s why I say it’s one of my biggest achievements, being able to get in decent shape. I’m not an athlete, I’m not a sportsman. I’m just a businessman and an entrepreneur who’s got a lot on his plate. I’ve never been able to crack it and I’m not saying I’ve cracked it. But I look alright. I feel pretty good.”

Hearn explained that the numerous challenges posed by boxing promotion make it one of the most stressful occupations in the world.

The promoter – who represents fighters such as Anthony Joshua – said: “It’s undoubtedly the worst business in the world for that [stress]. And it’s never-ending. For 15 years I battled with [rival promoter] Frank Warren and it’s now the propaganda of the YouTube culture, the cesspit of Twitter, all these other things you’re battling against.

“Also, you’re against someone who’s trying to take you down or stop you in your tracks or turn people against you or lie about you.

“And then what do you do? You decide to go to America and crack it over there. So then you’re bringing in [US promoters] Oscar De La Hoya, Leonard Ellerbe, Bob Arum, Lou DiBella…Then you wake up and a couple of days ago, it’s Dana White. It’s like, f****** hell!”

The full interview is in the new issue of Men’s Health UK or available at https://www.menshealth.com/uk/fitness/a71049327/eddie-hearn-mens-health-transformation/

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