Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury is wrong to ban talkSPORT interviews, with the boxing promoter opening up on the 35-year-old in the wake of his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last weekend.
Fury was beaten on points in Saudi Arabia, with Usyk winning after wobbling the Gypsy King in the ninth round of the clash.
In the aftermath of the bout, the 35-year-old spoke to a range of broadcasters.
But he's refused to deal with talkSPORT for the best part of a year, having grown frustrated with what he perceived to be constant criticism from the sports channel.
Tyson Fury banned talkSPORT from covering his fights last year before his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
REUTERS
Hearn believes Fury has got that decision wrong, however.
Speaking to the TV station, he said: "Tyson Fury and talkSPORT have had this back and forth, he feels like you are giving him a tough time.
"I don't think it was necessarily the best decision because you guys have doubled down."
Hearn then added: "I saw it with AJ I couldn't believe how things change after he lost to Andy Ruiz, from the media and the public.
"What about when he beat Wladimir Klitschko? I think we are quick to forget and we don't promote greatness as much as we should in this country.
"It's weird because we want people to get up there and as soon as they get there we want to bring them down, it's not a great look.
"I think we should be showing people more respect regardless of what they said.
"I feel like we should just be pushing people on more to say 'good on you'."
Fury has been widely criticised following his defeat to Usyk.
In the immediate aftermath of the loss, he appeared to suggest Usyk was only given the win due to sympathy for the war in Ukraine.
Fury has been defended by his own promoter, Frank Warren, in the short time since.
And Hearn thinks it's unfair to take what he says seriously, insisting his comments should be taken with a pinch of salt.
"I feel like sometimes we are ha ha merchants, there is people who want people to lose," he said.
"I must be going soft in my old age.
"I've never got on particularly well with Tyson Fury, this would be a great opportunity to jump on him.
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Tyson Fury has been defended by Eddie Hearn in the aftermath of his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
PA
"We put these fighters in to promote the fight, he says some silly things sometimes but he is a character.
"Tyson's job is to talk it up, he is an entertainer and we use his soundbites to sell it but after we hold it against him.
"When you get beat, all of the stuff in the past get regurgitated and used against him.
"But knowing boxers and seeing the heart he showed in the ninth round, but I'd rather say respect to you and regardless of what you said 'respect to you and you are a great heavyweight as well'.
"But if you want to make it fearsome when you lose, boxers will be scared to roll the dice sometimes."
Tyson Fury lost to Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia last weekend
REUTERS
Fury and Usyk are expected to meet later in the ring.
They're primed to meet in the ring again in October, though the showdown could be pushed back if either fighter needs more time to prepare.
