Hearn’s plan to help sport beat Covid-19
Barry Hearn has promised to lead sport’s great escape from lockdown.
The top promoter has already launched the Professional Darts Corporation Home Tour this month, and also announced new dates to stage the postponed World Snooker Championship.
The baize’s blue-ribbon event should be being played in Sheffield right now, but despite the coronavirus hard-working Hearn has been able to agree new dates of July 31 to August 16 for the 17-day tournament to take place at the Crucible Theatre.
“In my 45 years in sport, this is the most-complicated scenario I’ve ever come up against,” he admitted.
“It’s quite unique in our lifetime. But it’s a time for character, resolve and to find the determination to get the job done as quickly and as safely as we possibly can.
“We’re doing everything to come up with ideas to keep players earning in a safe environment.
“We’ve done that with darts on the PDC circuit, and that’s working well. Hopefully, that will be extended.”
The players have been streaming matches from home, with Scot John Henderson actually throwing arrows in his own bedroom.
“We’re trying to come up with something for snooker over the next few weeks to keep them active as well,” revealed Hearn.
“It’s been a very difficult time for sporting events around the world, but we are keeping our fingers crossed this pandemic eases.
“We don’t want to lose the World Championship, and we’re doing everything we can to play it out.
“We’ve got to make sure we’ve got something to look forward to in these tragic times.”
Hearn suffered a minor heartattack earlier this month, but the dedicated promoter is showing no signs of slowing down.
“This lockdown is not easy for anybody. But whatever sport it is, it can give a welcome distraction and enjoyment at a time when people might be feeling low,” added Hearn.
“Snooker’s World Championship is one of the world’s biggest sporting events – and I think this is a statement to get this event on, one way or another.
“Sportsmen and sportswomen are usually self-employed, so for them the World Championship represents a huge amount of their total income.
“Players have families, mortgages and bills to pay, so they need food on the table. The only way they get paid is when they participate in an event.”
And Hearn was quick to stress that the prize money levels will not be reduced despite the current Covid-19 crisis.
This year’s winner will pocket a record high £500,000 first prize and Hearn revealed: “I’ve made a commitment to the players. The prize money remains unaltered at any level whatever the situation is.
“World Snooker is in a good place to stand it’s ground and show the character that’s required.”
Meanwhile, Hearn is also “confident” of giving the British public what they want with a huge arena heavyweight boxing showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Hearn’s Matchroom stable represents Joshua, and although his world-title defence against Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev has been postponed until June 20 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Hearn and son Eddie have big plans for the coming months.
“It may be some time before we can do the big-arena shows – and that’s where Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury belong,” said Hearn.
“Anthony wants to be boxing and he’s prepared to fight anybody tomorrow – including Tyson Fury.
“I’m confident about it happening because the demand for that fight is huge, and A.J. is very keen about unifying the titles.
“Tyson has the missing belt and he’s not afraid of anyone. If he managed to beat Joshua, he would become a massive global figure.
“I’d say there’s a 50/50 chance of it happening this year, if not a 95% of it happening early next year.”