UNTIL very recently, you were one of the most soughtafter free agents in the world. What made you choose Matchroom over Top Rank?
When I met with Top Rank, they would throw me in the mix, and I would be a part of their plan. With Matchroom it was just like, I am the plan.
With Eddie [Hearn], I’d be one of the only champions in the US, so I’m more of a priority. With Top Rank, I don’t think I’d be such a high priority; they already have a bunch of fighters they have to prioritise over me.
I went back and forth with this – for like three weeks, a month. I’d wake up and say, “Man, I’m going Top Rank”. Then I’d go to sleep, and be like, “Nah, I’m gonna go with Matchroom”. It was like this every single day. I talked it over with a bunch of people. My friends; my wife; my assistant; my coaches. People were torn. I consulted everybody, but I just had that gut feeling. I couldn’t make a bad choice – no matter which way I went, it was going to be a good choice. But when you have
