Upset Eddie Hearn reacts to ‘devastating’ James Tennyson defeat

Eddie Hearn was upset James Tennyson didn’t heed his pre-fight warning ahead of his shock defeat last night.

The Matchroom boss was keen to warn anyone that would listen, that Jovanni Straffon had upset potential during Derek Chisora vs Joseph Parker fight week.

The Essex fight maker had recently been burnt by hungry Mexicans looking to change their careers. He watched Mauricio Lara shock former featherweight world champion Josh Warrington and Gabriel Valenzuela beat Robbie Davies Jr – and preached caution as a result.

Speaking after Tenny’s KO reverse he suggested his warning fell on deaf ears as Tennyson was shocked and stopped within a round.

After a slugfest from the opening bell, big puncher Tennyson was caught and put down – and subsequently out.

Rather than put it down to being caught cold, or simply being taken out by a good shot, Hearn felt the 27-year-old got it wrong tactically.

Hearn argues the ever-entertaining former European champion shouldn’t have given his hungry, determined to change his life foe any scent of blood, particularly with big fights and a potential return to Belfast in the pipeline.

However, he felt Tennyson’s approach did exactly just that, much to his dismay.

Speaking within minutes of the defeat he appeared shocked, upset and even angry.

“James Tennyson should be too good for Straffon. We are moving into the top 15 in the world now. You can’t do that, you can’t just go in trading with a guy that has one shot, a puncher’s chance to change his life.

“I couldn’t believe what I was watching. I was screaming at him to box and take his time. You can’t do that, these people are made of different stuff.

“Tennyson is a big puncher but he got hurt early and it’s all over. It’s just a devastating defeat.”

The Belfast fighter has proved his bounce-back-ability on more than one occasion in the past, although this reverse did come at a very bad time.

The Matchroom fighter was in with a chance of becoming a Belfast headliner and a disapointed Hearn may now row back on that idea for the time being.