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‘Let’s do it’ – Eddie Hearn to make James Tennyson vs Jorge Linares in Belfast

Eddie Hearn is ready to return to Belfast with a massive and mouthwatering James Tennyson vs Jorge Linares fight.

The Matchroom boss has been batting his eyelids at the capital of Irish boxing since he officially signed Tennyson to a long term contract.

The boxing mad city became even more attractive when Tommy McCarthy, another fighter he has a strong working relationship with claimed the European title.

Now such is the form of, and increasing love for, James Tennyson that Hearn is ready to return for the first time since he promoted Ryan Burnett’s unification win over Zhanat Zhakiyanov in 2017.

Speaking after Tennyson destroyed the WBA #8 within a round on Friday night, an excited Hearn put Belfast fans on notice.

It’s not just the Belfast element that is massive for Tennyson, Linares is a huge name, accomplished foe and the kind of scalp that could propel ‘The Assassin’ to global stardom.

The Venezuelan has held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the WBC featherweight title from 2007 to 2008; the WBA super featherweight title from 2008 to 2009; and the WBA, WBC and Ring magazine lightweight titles between 2014 and 2018.

At 35 he may not be at his peak, but he has enjoyed success anytime he has come this side of the Atlantic sea, defeating Anthony Crolla and Kevin Mitchell. He also holds a win over Luke Campbell and shared the ring with Vasyl Lomachenko as recent as 2018.

Hearn has worked with the decorated name on numerous occasion previous, so it’s quite possible the South American has already been sounded out.

Speaking to Matchroom after the fight Hearn said: “I think James Tennyson has the power to beat anyone at 135lbs. Tennyson isn’t ready for the super elite, we have got to take the fight in between those guys. We got to take the Jorge Linares fight in Belfast, it’s an absolute barn-burner. Hopefully we can get that done next year.”

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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