Eddie Hearn has questioned the future of Marc Castro and Jalil Hackett after both prospects lost their unbeaten records last night.
The two promising talents appeared on the undercard of Liam Paro’s IBF world super lightweight title defense against Richardson Hitchins in Puerto Rico.
And while Hitchins extended his flawless record – edging a split decision to claim his first meaningful belt – both Castro and Hackett were forced to suffer their first professional setbacks.
But in response, Eddie Hearn has stuck by his bold matchmaking, suggesting that the two youngsters may not be good enough to reach world honors.
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Eddie Hearn piles the pressure on Marc Castro and Jalil Hackett
Castro entered his bout against Agustin Quintana as the overwhelming favorite, having already navigated himself through 13 one-sided outings following a decorated amateur career.
After all, the 25-year-old won multiple international tournaments – beating the likes of rising star Keyshawn Davis and former world champion Raymond Ford – before turning professional.
And yet, in his fourth 10-round contest, Castro was made to look somewhat ordinary by Quintana, who had arrived in Puerto Rico less than 48 hours before their showdown.
Hackett, too, was tipped to overcome last night’s assignment with flying colors, before resuming his ascent towards the upper echelons of the welterweight division.
After struggling to make the 147 lb limit, though, the 21-year-old’s progression was derailed by Jose Vazquez, another sturdy but limited operator.
And so, Hearn has now hit back at comments over his matchmaking, insisting that both Castro and Hackett lost because they were not good enough.
“Grow a f***ing pair of nuts,” Hearn told IFL TV. “[If] you wanna be in this game, you’ve gotta prove you’re good enough to be on these cards and at this level.
“[Castro has] to be beating Quintana if [he is] a world class fighter, or anywhere near it. All these people – these idiots, yeah – you’ve got to stop with the, ‘you’re getting these prospects beat.’
“No, they f***ing lost because they weren’t good enough. Jalil Hackett f***ed himself at the weight… and that is a lack of professionalism that’s going to cost you victory.
“If you don’t wanna watch competitive fights… f*** off and don’t watch my shows.”
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Eddie Hearn hits back at Julian Williams
Julian ‘J-Rock’ Williams was one of the first to share his thoughts on social media, claiming that Matchroom Boxing should fire their matchmaker.
Hearn, however, swiftly responded to the former world champion, insisting that Castro and Hackett should have come through their stern tests.
On X, the Matchroom promoter wrote: “Bad attitude. If you lose fights you should be winning it just means you aren’t/weren’t good enough. It’s called sport and you can come again.”
So now, with Hearn piling the pressure on two of his most promising prospects, it would appear that, at least at this level, there is simply no room for losing.