Eddie Hearn reveals Tyson Fury snub and says boxing star was 'sweating to the floor' and could 'barely talk'
Eddie Hearn has opened up on his decision to snub managing boxing star Tyson Fury
GETTY
Eddie Hearn has revealed he turned down the chance to manage Tyson Fury after they held a secret meeting back in 2017.
Two years previously the 'Gypsy King' had made headlines with a spectacular triumph over Wladimir Klitschko.
Fury then had a huge battle with his mental health and ended up spending two-and-a-half years away from the sport.
His weight swelled to a massive 28 stone but, after finally opting to get himself back in shape, he returned to the ring in 2018.
Tyson Fury swelled to 28 stone at the height of his battle with mental health
Hearn says he met Fury to discuss potentially managing the heavyweight champion.
However, the boxing promoter turned down the opportunity after Fury turned up 'sweating to the floor' while 'barely talking'.
Hearn told The Overlap: "When Fury imploded and put on all that weight, he contacted me.
"He said 'would you be interested in signing me?'
"I was thinking 'oft, not sure'. But, obviously at that time he had beaten Klitschko and that win was unbelievable. I never thought he would have a chance in that fight.
"Then he had his problems [with mental health].
"Then he came to me and said 'would you be interested?' So, I said come and see me.
"I was in Monacco at the time. He flew out. I sat down in a board room at this hotel and he walked in.
"I've never seen anything like it. He was massive, he was 26 stone.
"He sat down and he could hardly talk, he was sweating to the floor. But, he was saying, I'm going to come back and I am going to do this, that and the other.
"He was saying I want four easy fights then I will fight Deontay Wilder.
"I was like, I can't give you four easy fights. If you have one or two that's fine.
"That's all you need to get back in shape. But Fury was saying no, no I have to do it this way. It's the only way.
"I looked at him and I thought, I ain't spending the money because I have to give you all those fights and look at the state of you. I don't even think you will make it back into the ring.
"Obviously, he ended up having two fights before fighting Deontay Wilder.
"I would have signed him 100 per cent [if he agreed to that with me]."
Hearn then proceeded to hail Fury for turning his life around, while also praising his charismatic personality as well.
"What he did to turn that around, was unbelievable. We have our ups and downs, I don't always believe what he says but he is hilarious," he said.
"He is a personality in a dying breed of personalities in sports, not just boxing. And, to come back from where he came back from is unbelievable.
"I watched At Home with the Furys, which I thought was brilliant, and I was just watching this guy with all the back fat and I'm thinking how do you do it.
"He's got better durability over rounds than AJ, probably Usyk, Wilder. He's a one off.
"He's been boxing his whole life and he's so natural with it."
Fury hasn't looked back since returning to the ring.
He warmed up for his 2018 showdown with Deontay Wilder by beating Francesco Pianeta and Nuri Seferi.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Boxing star Tyson Fury is currently preparing for his fight with former UFC star Francis Ngannou
GETTY
Fury would then draw with Wilder before beating the Bronze Bomber in both 2020 and 2021.
He has has also overcome Tom Schwarz, Otto Wallin, Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chrisora in recent years.
His next fight will be against former UFC star Francis Ngannou at the end of the month, with that battle due to take place in Saudi Arabia.