The promoter took in Wales’ Six Nations victory over Italy ahead of signing Henry Pollock to his talent agency
Promoter Eddie Hearn has spoken about the experience of watching Wales’ Six Nations victory over Italy earlier this month, saying the patriotism surpassed anything he’d seen in a big sporting event.
Steve Tandy’s side ended their three-year wait for a victory in the tournament, finishing the campaign with a 31-17 win over the Italians. Hearn was in Cardiff watching that day, prior to signing England international Henry Pollock to his Matchroom Talent Agency.
Speaking on the Big Jim Show with former Scotland international Jim Hamilton, Hearn explained that he had expected to be watching Pollock in Paris on the final day of the tournament – but ending up at the Principality Stadium instead.
“I think the day before, I looked at the Six Nations line-up of games and I thought I was probably going to England-France, because that looked like the game,” he said. “No, we’re going to Wales.
“I’ve sold that stadium out with AJ (Anthony Joshua) a couple of times. It is a phenomenal stadium and the people down there are mad for it.
“He was like, ‘Have you ever been to the Millennium Stadium for rugby?’. I’m like ‘No,’. ‘Oh you wait’.
“So I look at the league table and Wales are down the bottom. Italy are just above them. Look at the points, a victory means nothing. A defeat means nothing.
“You’re stone-dead last. I asked is this a big game? It’s always a big game. They said you know Wales haven’t won in three years in the Six Nations.
“I was like ‘is anyone going?’ It’s rammed. Go in there. The Millennium Stadium is a very special stadium because it’s right in the middle of the city.
“Everyone is kind of there and it’s starting to build up. They said wait until the national anthem comes on. I’ve done other boxing in Wales, there’s Welsh fighters and it’s always a great atmosphere. I was looking around during the national anthem and I like people watching in situations like that.
“I’ve never felt such patriotism as what I saw. I’ve been to Ryder Cups, I’ve been to Super Bowls where they play the American national anthem. But this was like tears-to-your-eyes stuff, like hairs on your arms standing up.
“I was just thinking, f**k, you guys haven’t won for three years, you’re bottom of the league. This feels like you’re about to win the Six Nations. The roar, just how pleasant it was.
“I’m looking at the customer. Corporate boxes, I get it. But down there is granddad, he’s like 95 and his son’s there and his grandsons are there. This is institutional.”
Hearn, one of the most recognisable faces in sport, also admitted that watching the match made him feel old – because the son of one of his former clients was playing.
“It’s quite mad because when I went to the Wales game the other day, (James) Botham was in the team,” he said. “I used to represent Liam Botham and his dad when I started work.
“I was 21 and that made me feel very old that it was Ian’s grandson and, worse, it was Liam’s son in the Wales team.”
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