Eddie Hearn on Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez, Anthony Joshua's tragedy & Devin Haney's beef with Ryan Garcia - Joe and Jada

Transcript

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Summary

Joe and Jada — Episode Summary:

Eddie Hearn on Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez, Anthony Joshua’s Tragedy & Devin Haney’s beef with Ryan Garcia
Date: January 29, 2026 | Episode with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn

Episode Overview

This episode of “Joe and Jada” features boxing super-promoter Eddie Hearn, diving into heated topics in boxing such as the Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez fight, Anthony Joshua’s tragic year, and the ongoing drama between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia. Hosted by hip-hop legends Fat Joe and Jadakiss, the conversation flows through inside stories about boxing, personal experiences with fighters and promoters, and connections between hip-hop culture and the fight game.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Eddie Hearn’s Origins and Lessons from Boxing

Timestamp: 03:36 – 10:33

Family Background:
- Eddie reflects on coming from humble beginnings as the son of UK Hall of Fame promoter Barry Hearn.
- He calls himself a “Nepo baby,” but notes his father’s grind:
  
  “My dad came from, you know, I guess you guys would call a project. We call it a council estate... His dad was a bus driver... he became a chartered accountant at 19, thought it was about making money, but found his way into boxing.” (04:41)
Early Education in Boxing:
- Grew up ringside at legendary matches, absorbing everything about the business and sport (08:00–09:30).
- His father gave him tough life lessons, emphasizing “win, win, win. Whatever it takes. You work your bollocks off every day, 24/7.” (09:09)
- Even sparred with his dad as a teen, stopping him with body shots, which both hurt and made his father proud (09:30).

Reflections on Legendary Fighters

Timestamp: 05:57 – 13:35

Naseem Hamed’s Downfall:
- Eddie highlights “Naz” Hamed’s rise and self-destruction “because when you lose your head a little bit ... don’t have the right team, you’re in trouble.” (06:12)
Atmosphere at Big Fights:
- Fat Joe and Eddie reminisce on the electric Irish crowd at Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden:
  
  “I forgot I was in New York... the Irish, they celebrate different.” (11:37)
Fight Styles:
- Discussion about loving fighters like Gatti, Ward—“get-up-and-keep-coming” types—even if being “smart” is better for a boxer’s health and record:
  
  “As a promoter, I’m a little conflicted... I want you to go out and have a war, but I also know...” (13:23)

Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia Controversy

Timestamp: 13:35 – 16:46

Haney’s Loss & Lawsuit:
- Fat Joe and Eddie dissect Haney’s defeat to Garcia, who came in overweight and failed a drug test:
  
  Fat Joe: “Is the three pounds really that big of a deal, like in the streets?”
  Eddie: “That’s the rules, mate... you’re boiling yourself down to make that weight. The other kid didn’t really.” (14:36)
- Hearn explains the lawsuit:
  
  “He sued Ryan for battery... but the fact is, contractually... the guy had performance enhancing drugs in his system. Now we don’t know if it was intentional, but if it was, you’re going into a fight with another man, that’s incredibly dangerous.” (15:26–15:51)

Parallels Between Hip-Hop Battles and Boxing

Timestamp: 16:46 – 19:25

Fat Joe’s Code:
- Fat Joe insists on always accepting a battle or challenge—“you always gotta come out”
  
  “I came out when my mother would call me and be like, son, don’t come out... To me, you always got to come out.” (18:47)
- Hip-hop beef might not make business sense, but it’s about pride and reputation, similar to a fighter’s mentality.

Saudi Arabia’s Influence on Boxing

Timestamp: 19:35 – 25:19

“His Excellency” Turki Alalshikh:
- Eddie details the power moves by Turki Alalshikh and the Saudi government, calling it “a fast moving train—do you want to be on the train or waving as it goes by?” (23:41, quote from Turki)
- They’re not just big spenders, but “next-level thinkers” who bring vision and huge budgets to sports (24:16–25:19).

The Reality of Fame, Fortune, and Mismanagement

Timestamp: 35:01 – 38:45

The Trap of Chasing “More”:
- Fat Joe relates to fighters burning through fortunes, chasing bigger houses, and rarely finding “peace”
  
  “If I got a million dollars, I bought a $10 million house... I'll pay that 50,000 a month... That's been my life.” (36:38)
Fate of Great Fighters Who Lost It All:
- Eddie: “How can you earn that much money and be mistreated or be that ill advised... Now much better educated on finances, but the infrastructure back then…” (37:57)

Fight IQ vs. Physical Strength

Timestamp: 41:03 – 42:56

Who Wins at the Elite Level?
- Eddie: “IQ... Shakur Stevenson, Terence Crawford... they just see it. Their pulse rate’s not moving. They’re calm, slipping shots.” (41:03)
- Fat Joe: “And Teofimo? You think he got Shakur?”
  
  Eddie: “I just feel like if I’m Teofimo, I’m sticking it on, I’m pressing it... But if you’re aggressive against Shakur, that’s also a problem to counter you.” (42:11–42:44)

Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez Predictions

Timestamp: 42:56 – 44:36 and 48:15–48:47

Strategies:
- Eddie: “If Shakur is allowed to be Shakur, he can’t lose. So you’ve got to make him not be Shakur.” (44:16)
Joe & Jada’s Picks:
- Jada: “I gotta go with Shakur, man... If he’s able to be him, it’s going to be a tough night for Tio.” (48:30)

Anthony Joshua’s Tragedy & Mental Health

Timestamp: 65:23 – 69:39

Accident Impact:
- Eddie recounts AJ’s recent loss, the high from the Jake Paul fight, and then his car accident in Nigeria that killed his two best friends:
  
  “His two best friends with him every day in camp. That is so sad... busted a couple of ribs up, but more importantly, lost his two friends.” (68:20)
Fat Joe on Grief & Therapy:
- “It took me two years, real depression, seeing help and therapists...” (68:54–69:44)
- Stresses the importance of therapy for men and athletes.

Loyalty and Betrayal in Boxing and Hip-Hop

Timestamp: 55:35 – 58:53

Artists & Fighters Jumping Ship:
- Fat Joe: “There’s really no real loyalty in hip hop... I see it happens to you too Eddie. Must break your heart.” (55:51)
- Eddie: “It does, but you become accustomed to it. Because it’s the game and it’s never going to change.” (57:05)
- Fat Joe admits passing on acts like Pitbull and Rick Ross due to being “turned off by the industry.” (57:43)

Notable Legendary Promoters and Branding

Timestamp: 58:53 – 63:38

Don King’s Genius:
- Eddie: “Away from the ethics, probably the greatest promoter of all time... a performer as well, came out with the flags—marketing, promoting.” (59:08)
- Fat Joe shares inside stories about being the first rapper to walk a fighter into the ring (Tito Trinidad), recounting how Don King worked with him:
  
  “We started it... People’s eyes open up in the crowd like they’d never seen a rapper rap with a boxer.” (60:03–61:54)

The Value of Taking Risks

Timestamp: 64:04 – 65:23

Don’t Settle for “Just Enough to Lose”:
- Eddie: “There’s a saying... ‘Well done, you did just enough to lose.’” (64:04)
- Promoters and fighters are rewarded for taking genuine risks and fighting the toughest competition.

Top Five Greatest Boxers of All Time: Eddie Hearn’s List

Timestamp: 71:33 – 72:34

Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Leonard
Muhammad Ali
Floyd Mayweather
For fifth, a tie: Terence Crawford, Oleksandr Usyk, Evander Holyfield

Eddie: “Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard—my hero, Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather... Crawford, but he never got a chance to fight the elite guys consistently... For #5, I’ll tie Crawford, Usyk, Holyfield.” (71:33–72:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Eddie Hearn’s blunt assessment of the fight business and loyalty:

“It does [break your heart]. But you become accustomed to it. Because it’s the game, and it’s never going to change. Some people are loyal, some people will respect what you’ve done... others won’t. It happens in boxing all the time.” (57:05)
On Saudi Arabia’s approach:

“We are a fast moving train. Do you want to be on the train or standing on the platform waving as the train goes by?” —Turki Alalshikh via Eddie Hearn (23:41)
Fat Joe on risk-taking:

“If I boxed, and I knew I didn’t have a shot, I’d go in there, that first or second round, with all I got and try to bring them with the kitchen sink blow... and eventually you’re going to lose anyway.” (63:10–63:38)
Eddie on the legend of Don King:

“He might have invented branding and marketing—he was a performer as well... even now, he’s the hardest person to deal with!” (59:08–60:03)
On therapy and grief:

“It took me two years, real depression, seeing help and therapists... therapy is very important for that, you know, you could be a big man and get some help.” (68:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

Eddie Hearn’s Family & Early Boxing Life: 03:36–10:33
Naz and UK Boxing Legends: 06:00–10:33
Haney vs. Garcia & Lawsuit: 13:35–16:46
Hip-Hop Battles vs. Boxing: 16:46–19:25
Saudi Influence & Turki Alalshikh: 19:35–25:19
Discussions on Money & Fame: 35:01–38:45
Fight IQ vs. Strength, Shakur vs. Teofimo: 41:03–44:36, 48:15–48:47
AJ’s Tragedy & Mental Health: 65:23–69:39
Loyalty & Industry Betrayal: 55:35–58:53
Don King & Hip-Hop in Boxing: 58:53–63:38
Eddie’s Top 5 Fighters: 71:33–72:34

Conclusion

This episode is a lively blend of boxing lore, personal philosophy, hip-hop bravado, and business insight. Eddie Hearn provides candid takes on fighters, promoters, and the evolution of boxing; Fat Joe bridges street, music, and ring culture; Jada adds punchy commentary. Listeners get a front-row seat to boxing’s business, its myths, and the enduring connection between fighting and rapping.