Boxing supremo Eddie Hearn has admitted there is some concern that all the attention and sponsorship deals for Luke Littler could end up being 'too much too soon' for the teenager.
It's been a whirlwind few months for the 17-year-old having made history at the World Championships.
He won his first seniors title in his very next event after reaching the final at Alexandra Palace.
And Littler has followed that up with mature displays on the biggest stage at the Premier League and won the opening PDC ProTour event of the season on Monday.
He's already seen as the biggest name in darts and there's been comparisons made to darts legend Phil Taylor.
Luke Littler has enjoyed a whirlwind start to his professional career
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At just 17 years of age, Littler still has a long career ahead of him and he'll want to continue on his current trajectory.
Hearn has been impressed by how well Littler has handled everything that has come with his popularity.
However, the 44-year-old is cautious off putting too much pressure on the young darts superstar like Kirk Shepherd, who famously reached the final of the 2008 World Championships as a 1000/1 outsider.
"I remember Kirk Shepherd and he races on the scene in the worlds and you think 'wow, there's this young kid and it's a massive new addition to the PDC," Hearn said on the Love the Darts podcast.
"He went on from there but never to the heights that Littler did and there is that worry that it's too much too soon.
"I know it's a completely different sport but you look at the likes of Emma Raducanu... Are you ready for that?
"What Luke has done has been incredible.
"He's at the opening of an envelope. He's at Misfits boxing. He's at Manchester United. He's just embracing it.
"That's part of the battle to make sure you can deal with the change that comes into your life.
"Not just financially, but the pressure of being a celeb.
Eddie Hearn has urged caution for the youngster
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“When you look at the positioning of stars in UK sport right now, he’s right up there.
“He’s making a lot of money on and off the oche.
"It’s the first time really that a darts player is signing deals with major brands.
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Luke Littler is already seen as the biggest name in darts
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"Outside of your PDC partners, outside of your manufacturers and darts companies, this guy is signing major sponsorship deals with huge companies like BoohooMan.
"There's plenty more to come and that's great for darts because he's bringing that new audience.
"At the moment, the Luke Littler effect is great for everybody.
"Not just Luke Littler, not just the PDC, but for the sport - particularly the players as well and long may it continue. It doesn't look like he's going anywhere."
