Podcast Summary: The Joe and Jada Show — Eddie Hearn on Boxing’s Biggest Stories
Episode Title: Joe and Jada - Eddie Hearn on Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez, Anthony Joshua's tragedy & Devin Haney's beef with Ryan Garcia
Date: January 29, 2026
Guests: Eddie Hearn
Hosts: Fat Joe, Jada
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Presented by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Episode Overview
This episode brings together legendary promoter Eddie Hearn with Fat Joe and Jada for a lively, unfiltered exploration of modern boxing: its wild personalities, business evolutions, and the drama surrounding recent and upcoming fights. The trio breaks down the Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez matchup, Anthony Joshua’s recent personal tragedy, and the ongoing beef between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia, all while drawing parallels between the boxing and hip hop worlds. The conversation is rich with personal stories, candid opinions, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes that reflect the current boxing landscape’s raw energy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Eddie Hearn's Family Legacy & Authenticity in Boxing
[02:05 - 04:18]
- Eddie shares his roots: son of Hall of Fame promoter Barry Hearn, who rose from humble beginnings ("council estate") to work with legends like Lennox Lewis and Naseem Hamed.
- Anecdotes about growing up ringside, learning boxing’s realities from childhood, and almost becoming a fighter himself before gravitating to promoting.
- Eddie Hearn: "Everything for me was about sport and winning, but that’s how I grew up. Win, win, win. Whatever it takes, win. You work your bollocks off every day, 24/7. You’re given nothing without hard work." [04:02]
Lessons from Naseem Hamed & Team Dynamics
[03:36 - 04:29]
- Discussion on boxing’s possible pitfalls, like surrounding yourself with the wrong people. Hearn feels Naz never reached his full potential due to bad influences and ill-advised management.
Boxing Icons & “Warrior Fighters”
[08:17 - 10:47]
- Fat Joe reminisces about legendary fighters—Lennox Lewis, Micky Ward, Gatti, and Diego Corrales—admiring their heart and “get knocked down, get back up” styles.
- The contrast between entertaining brawlers versus technically cautious, “boring” fighters.
Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia Controversy
[10:47 – 14:11]
- Eddie on Haney’s last fight: disappointed as a fan in Haney’s defensive tactics, but respectful of his achievements.
- Fat Joe: "Is the three pounds really a big deal? In the streets, you fight fat guys, diesel guys—nobody’s asking about weight class!" [11:57]
- Hearn explains the stakes: when a fighter misses weight and fails a drug test, it creates unfair and unsafe circumstances.
- Haney’s lawsuit against Garcia—unique but misunderstood ("Not really. I’m suing because of the situations around it."). Hearn defends the decision, stressing the principle over the optics.
The Crossover of Hip Hop & Boxing
[14:11 – 16:49]
- Analogies drawn between battling in hip hop and fighting in boxing: reputation, business, and real consequences.
- Fat Joe reflects on taking on battles despite being the underdog, likening it to Everlast battling Eminem.
- The pressure to always “come out” for challenges, whether in the ring or in rap battles.
Saudi Arabia’s Influence & 'His Excellency' Turki
[17:16 – 22:43]
- Insight into Saudi Arabia’s takeover of the boxing business, as both hosts and Hearn describe meetings with Turki Alalshikh, Saudi’s main sports and entertainment maestro.
- Eddie Hearn: "We are a fast moving train. Do you want to be on the train, or do you want to be standing on the platform waving as the train goes by?" [21:06]
- Discussion of massive investment, the scale of recent events, and the vision behind the kingdom’s sports expansion.
Fighters’ Post-Career Struggles & Money Management
[28:34 – 34:14]
- Fat Joe discusses the difficulty athletes face after retiring, especially in boxing.
- Hearn and Joe lament how legends like Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. suffered financially due to mismanagement.
- Modern fighters like Canelo are seen as savvier, capitalizing on global bidding wars and planning for their futures.
Boxing IQ vs. Raw Power — Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez
[34:14 – 36:15]
- Eddie calls Shakur Stevenson’s boxing IQ "one of the best," likening him to Terence Crawford.
- Teofimo’s only chance is to "dirty it up":
- Eddie Hearn: "If I'm Teofimo, I'm pressing it. You ain't going to outbox Shakur. He’s a genius." [35:28; 36:08]
- Prediction: If Shakur is "allowed to be Shakur," he’s almost unbeatable.
Boxing Dads, Drama, and the Human Side
[38:03 – 41:06]
- Fat Joe recounts a heated confrontation with Teofimo’s father and the recurring theme of overzealous boxing dads.
- The emotional impact family and management have on fighters' careers and performances.
Predictions & Favorite Fighters
[41:27 – 48:46]
- The hosts debate picks for Shakur vs. Teofimo, with Jada switching to Shakur after hearing Hearn’s analysis ("If he’s able to be him, it’s going to be a tough night for Tio." [41:40])
- Fat Joe’s infamous betting luck—he admits never betting correctly and losing significant money on underdog fighters.
- Reflection on Oscar De La Hoya’s antics and the importance of controversy in keeping boxing relevant.
Loyalty, Frustration, and Resilience in Boxing & Hip Hop
[46:09 – 48:46]
- Fat Joe equates the lack of loyalty in hip hop business and boxing: investing in talent often leads to heartbreak.
- Eddie Hearn: "Some will respect what you've done, others won’t. It happens all the time. My dad retired to get out of the aggravation." [47:26]
- Both discuss the need to accept this reality to survive and maintain mental health in the industry.
Don King, Branding, and Hip Hop-Boxing Crossover
[49:14 – 54:24]
- Hearn hails Don King: "Probably the greatest promoter of all time," noting his flair for branding and showmanship.
- Fat Joe shares the story of bringing a rapper to walk a fighter to the ring—claiming he pioneered the now-ubiquitous boxing-ring rapper entrance.
Taking Risks and Accepting Loss in Boxing
[54:24 – 55:44]
- Hearn argues for challenging matchups and not protecting undefeated records at all costs.
- "If you’re in the great fights and people remember those nights, it’s not the end of the world." [55:39]
Anthony Joshua’s Recent Tragedy
[56:14 – 59:15]
- Hearn shares somber details about Joshua’s car accident, losing two best friends and getting injured:
- Eddie Hearn: "It's so sad. AJ himself, you know, injured, busted a couple of ribs up, but more importantly, lost his two friends. Stuff like that takes a long time to sink in, you know?" [58:41]
- Fat Joe relates, describing his own process seeking therapy after significant personal loss, and the importance of mental health.
Episode Wrap: Eddie Hearn’s Top 5 Fighters of All Time
[61:54 – 63:56]
- Eddie Hearn’s List:
- Sugar Ray Robinson
- Sugar Ray Leonard
- Muhammad Ali
- Floyd Mayweather
- (Tied) Terence Crawford, Usyk, Evander Holyfield
- Special mention for Crawford, whom Hearn feels never got the consistency of elite opponents he deserved.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- "Everything for me was about sport and winning, but that’s how I grew up. Win, win, win. Whatever it takes, win." — Eddie Hearn [04:02]
- "We are a fast moving train. Do you want to be on the train, or do you want to be standing on the platform waving as the train goes by?" — Turki Alalshikh (as recounted by Eddie Hearn) [21:06]
- "If I’m Teofimo, I’m pressing it… You ain’t going to outbox Shakur. He’s a genius." — Eddie Hearn [36:08]
- "Loyalty in boxing and hip hop, it’s rare. You can’t let it make you miserable." — Eddie Hearn [47:26]
- "If you’re in the great fights and people remember those nights, it’s not the end of the world." — Eddie Hearn [55:39]
- "AJ himself, you know, injured, busted a couple of ribs up, but more importantly, lost his two friends. Stuff like that takes a long time to sink in." — Eddie Hearn [58:41]
- "I fuck with the Jake Paul and his brother Logan Paul… they fight, and they’re fucking tough… If he would have beat Anthony Joshua, I’d have gave up." — Fat Joe [57:47; 58:11]
Timestamps for Noteworthy Segments
- Eddie’s Boxing Heritage & Upbringing: [02:05 – 04:18]
- Naseem Hamed & Team Problems: [03:36 – 04:29]
- Fat Joe’s Fight Stories (Lennox, Micky Ward): [07:57 – 10:27]
- Haney vs. Garcia Lawsuit Explained: [11:08 – 14:11]
- Rap Battles vs. Boxing Reputation: [14:11 – 16:49]
- Saudi Arabia & Turki’s "Train" Metaphor: [17:16 – 21:06]
- Managing Fighter Finances/Joshua’s Tragedy: [28:34 – 34:14; 56:14 – 59:15]
- Shakur vs. Teofimo Strategy Breakdown: [34:14 – 36:15]
- Boxing Dads & Drama: [38:03 – 41:06]
- Loyalty in Boxing & Hip Hop: [46:09 – 48:46]
- Don King's Promotional Legacy: [49:14 – 54:24]
- Taking Risks, Not Just Protecting the 'O': [54:24 – 55:44]
- Eddie Hearn’s Top 5 Fighters: [61:54 – 63:56]
Episode Tone & Final Thoughts
The conversation is rapid-fire, passionate, and peppered with bold language and streetwise humor, lending authenticity and accessibility to technical boxing talk. Eddie Hearn is candid, analytical, and occasionally vulnerable—especially about Joshua’s loss and the realities of broken loyalty in sports. Fat Joe’s stories and humor keep pacing lively, while Jada’s reactions ground the discussion in fan perspective.
Whether breaking down the purest technical aspects of the sport or lamenting the heartbreaks of the business, the core message is about resilience, grit, and owning your choices—both in the ring and out.
Recommended for:
Anyone wanting a vibrant, insider view of contemporary boxing—with all its rivalries, business, heartbreak, and glory—delivered straight from those who live and love the fight game.