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Eddie Hearn defends Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr PPV being £24.95 but insists it was Sky Sports’ decision and not his
EDDIE HEARN has insisted it was not his decision to raise the price of the Pay-Per-View fight between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr next month.
Boxing fans usually only have to fork out £19.95 to watch PPV bouts, but Sky Sports are now charging £24.95 to watch the event in Saudi Arabia.
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Hearn, however, has stated that fans won't have to pay this fee again for a long time as AJ's rematch against The Destroyer is "one of the biggest fights of all time".
The 2012 Olympic gold medallist is looking to immediately win back his WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight belts after he was shocked by Ruiz Jr in June.
Speaking to , Hearn said: "It wasn’t my decision, I understand it, it’s the biggest fight of the century, it’s one of the biggest fights of all time.
"It’s not a reflection of the future of Pay-Per-View, I think this is a one off fight where you may not ever see a fight like this again.
“So that was a decision they made, they always control the price point Sky, sometimes they consult in me, sometimes I’m told what it is.
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"The last one (KSI vs Logan Paul II) was £9.99, the one before that was £19.99, this is £24.99 (£24,95).
“I don’t know what to tell you, this is a freak event that is one of the biggest heavyweight fights of all time. I think you will not see £24.95 again for some time.
“Although people think I own Sky and DAZN, I can’t speak on their behalf about long-term pricing strategies on Pay-Per-View but from everything I understand - £19.95 is the price point but this is one of the biggest heavyweight fights of all time and £24.95 is the price point here.
“£9.99 worked well, with KSI and Logan Paul, so who knows, I think you’ve got to be flexible in this situation."
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Fans have been left furious by the price, as one tweeted: "Ruiz vs AJ II £24.95 scandalous. Not getting a penny from me even if I could afford it I wouldn't pay it out of principle.
"I remember watching Lewis and Tyson £14.95 since then the price PPV has rocketed week in week out. No wonder people illegally stream."
Another wrote: "For £24.95 I was expecting a visa and a flight."
A third added: "Hearn and Sky are robbing b******s. AJ - who I am a supporter of - got well battered so why rip customers off with a £5 increase. F*** you Hearn and Sky Sports box office."
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