Tom Aspinall is thinking as big as possible now that he’s under new management.
The reigning UFC heavyweight champion made headlines Thursday when he announced he is signing with Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn to work with the organization’s talent agency branch. Aspinall remains under contract with UFC and Dana White, but now gives Aspinall powerful backing when it comes to negotiating deals with the UFC and other entities.
At a press event Friday in London, Aspinall was asked about his level of excitement when it comes to working with Hearn, who has promoted a number of successful athletes including British boxing star Anthony Joshua.
“As athletes, in any sport, we’ve got a short window of opportunity that we can make a lot of money,” Aspinall said. “With what’s going on in my career and my recent injuries and stuff, I want to make as much money as possible. I want to set my family up for generations and that’s what I’m looking to do with this.”
Aspinall’s business move comes in the middle of a difficult time for his career as he recovers from an injury suffered at UFC 321 when he was poked in the eyes by Ciryl Gane. The bout ended in a no-contest before the end of the first round, a disastrous result for both fighters, but especially for Aspinall, who was making his first defense as undisputed heavyweight champion and now faces an uncertain future.
During this hiatus from competition, Aspinall made contact with Hearn and in the end the Englishmen agreed to go into business together.
“I was excited by it,” Aspinall said. “I didn’t really know Eddie, like I’ve met him a couple of times before, but I didn’t know him personally. But I’ve seen him from afar and I liked the way that him and Frank [Hearn] operate stuff anyway. I felt like we get on and when we met, I felt like we get on instantly. Feel like we’re all on the same page.”
A timetable for Aspinall’s return is yet to be made, with the fighter having recently undergone surgery to both of his eyes to address his injuries. However, he is confident he will return to the octagon and have his chance to properly defend his heavyweight belt.
“We want to get back in there as soon as possible, but obviously it has to be done at the right time and these guys have come on board at the right time,” Aspinall said. “I feel like I’m ready to move to the next step in terms of commercial value and stuff like that. I’m motivated to get back in there, do my thing.”
Watch clips from the London press event below, courtesy of ESBR Boxing.
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