HEARN: Spike v Macklin? We want bigger fights but why not?

MATCHROOM boss Eddie Hearn has revealed plans to return to Ireland with the Sky Sports camera’s in 2015 and claims he is open to making a middleweight contest between Matthew Macklin and Gary O’Sullivan.

Macklin will move a step closer to a fourth World title tilt if he beats Sebastian Heiland at the 3Arena on Saturday night and has the likes of Martin Murray, fellow Irish middleweight Andy Lee and even future Hall of Fame fighter Miguel Cotto on his radar.

However, Murray is due to fight former Macklin foe Gennady Golovkin early next year, Lee will have to defend against Billy Joe Saunders if he claims the WBO world title on December 13 and Cotto has a May date with Saul Alvarez in mind.

So Macklin might need an ‘in the mean time’ Spring fight and it seems Hearn will consider Cork middleweight O’Sullivan if he beats Anthony Fitzgerald on Saturday night.

“I think Spike versus Fitzy is just a wonderful fight,” Hearn told Irish-boxing.com.

“Spike wants Macklin if he beats Fitzy. We want bigger fights no disrespect to Spike, but if there is an appetite for that fight over here and the fight (between O’Sullivan and Fitzgerald) on Saturday is so good then why not?”

Even without a pre determined top of the bill, Hearn claims he has been impressed enough to ensure he returns in 2015. The Matchroom boss hopes Sky are impressed with the atmosphere and is confident he can persuade the broadcaster to come Ireland twice a year.
“Hopefully everyone loves the show and we can come back again in the Spring or Summer with the other boys that are on the show.

“This fight is not a big enough fight to attract 8000 this time round, Macklin versus Andy Lee is a big enough fight and that can be done next year.”