Eddie Hearn branded ‘legitimately David Brent’ after bizarre statement about Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury

BOXING fans have compared promoter Eddie Hearn to legendary comedy character David Brent after he named himself as one of the top three most famous stars in British boxing.

Matchroom Sport chairman Hearn, 44, has guided the careers of some of the country’s best fighters in recent years including the likes of Anthony Joshua, Carl Froch, Kell Brook and Tony Bellew.

Eddie Hearn, right, is the promoter of heavyweight Anthony Joshua, leftAlamy

Tyson Fury is one of the biggest names in world boxingGetty

And he has also boosted his profile in the process, emerging from the shadow of his dad Barry Hearn – who founded and built Matchroom Sport for more than 40 years.

But the Essex-based promoter has received some backlash after claiming he is the third biggest name in British boxing behind heavyweight superstars Joshua and Tyson Fury.

Speaking to The Independent, he said: “If you asked someone on the street to name three people in UK boxing, they’d probably go: ‘Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn.’

“Or something like that, top five maybe. That’s important.”

This statement led to a hilarious response on social media as fans poked fun at the promoter for sounding like Brent – the cringe boss played by Ricky Gervais in British comedy The Office.

One said: “He is LEGITIMATELY David Brent. #boxing #Sessions.”

Another quoted one of Brent’s most famous lines from The Office, adding: “There goes Mr. Hearn. I must remember to THANK him.”

A third replied: “He is unbelievable.”

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AlamyDavid Brent is one of the most famous British comedy characters[/caption]

While a fourth responded: “‘That’s important’, not sure it really is…”

Hearn is currently negotiating a potential heavyweight dust-up between Joshua and American knockout artist Deontay Wilder for early 2024.

However, Saudi Arabian chiefs who had hoped to stage the fight are yet to confirm it is taking place.

And if it does not happen, Joshua will likely fight in December.

AJ, 33, has returned from back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk with successive wins against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius.

There remains doubts about the Brit’s ability to compete against the elite of the division – namely Fury and Usyk.

Yet despite his three professional losses, Hearn remains eternally grateful to Joshua for what he has done for Matchroom.

He added: “He’s a one-off. Tyson Fury’s gone to great levels as well, but Joshua… We did a tremendous job with him and still do, but he was a one-off.

“Without him, I don’t think our business would be where it is today; British boxing wouldn’t be where it is today.

“He was just a diamond that appeared in the sport.”