Eddie Hearn on boxers' struggle with mental health: Everyone cracks.

According to The Sun: Eddie Hearn shared his feelings about the fragility of boxers following the tragedy of Ricky Hatton's death, emphasizing that 'everyone breaks at some point.'

The head of the Matchroom promotional company, 46-year-old Hearn, openly spoke about the risks of vulnerability in sports and mentioned his upbringing, which was filled with 'tough love.'

Courtesy of Netflix. Getty Courtesy of Netflix.

Documentary Series

This is set against the backdrop of his desire to take control of his father Barry's billion-pound sports empire, discussed in the new Netflix documentary series titled 'The Legacy.'

In the first episode 'Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen,' Eddie sparked discussion by admitting that he 'would never hear the end' if he started telling his father about his visits to the therapist.

In an exclusive interview, Eddie said: “I am nothing like my father when it comes to mental health. We live in a society that doesn't talk about it enough, especially for men, and you see how boxers suffer.”

“Ricky Hatton, who recently passed away, is a great example of how important it is to wear a mask of masculinity.”

“Sports, especially boxing, make it hard to show vulnerability, as it's seen as a weakness. Many people don’t realize how many fighters, like Anthony Joshua, go through psychological difficulties after losses.”

The six-part documentary project was released in the week when world boxing champion Ricky 'Hitman' Hatton was found dead in his home at age 46 after long struggles with mental health and substance abuse.

In a sensitive scene from the fourth episode, boxer Conor Benn broke down in tears, admitting he had suicidal thoughts before being cleared after two years of investigation regarding doping allegations.

His big fight against Chris Eubank Jr. was announced for November 15 during a tumultuous press conference.

Eubank Jr. sensationally accused the promoter of blocking his ambulance's exit from the hospital after a narrow win in their first encounter, promising to sue for such accusations.

Shortly before this, Eddie opened up about the stress and pressure in the boxing business.

“I remember talking to my father about how to be happy, and he said: ‘just look at yourself in the mirror and say you're happy.’”

“I was surprised by such an answer. Mental health certainly exists, but you also need to be strong, although my father has a completely different view.”

Tough Love

“Many people say I don’t show emotions, but I was raised that way. While I felt a lot of love from my parents, it was love with demands.”

Throughout the series on Netflix, Eddie discusses criticism for living off his father's name and wealth.

Courtesy of Netflix.

As a child, he was driven to school in a limousine, picked up from the family estate that Barry bought in 1982 for £200,000 earned from selling snooker halls.

Now, while no one lives there, it has become home to Matchroom and the main office of the company, serving as a key location for shows on Netflix.

Barry, standing on the vast grounds of the estate in front of his pet alpacas, calls his son and heir “cunning,” adding that “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Eddie: ‘Losses only make me work harder’

In the entertaining series, Eddie faces several tough losses — including a rivalry with competitor-promoter Frank Warren and Anthony Joshua's defeat to Daniel Dubois.

He jokes: “This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t signed a contract with Netflix.”

Eddie has also faced criticism from his daughters, aged 15 and 13, who decided not to appear on camera, “since it’s already hard for them to have me as a father.”

“My eldest daughter, after watching the series, said: ‘yeah, it’s interesting, but you lose a lot’,” says Eddie.

“In an ideal world, Joshua should have beaten Dubois. But if everything went that way, it wouldn’t be a great show.”

Courtesy of Netflix.

“I think it’s important for my children to understand that work is not just about wins and money; there are tough days, there is immense pressure.”

“Loss is what worries me the most. Especially when I see how dedicated athletes go into the ring and suffer losses.”

Eddie reflected on how he deals with failures: “Just work even harder.”

Watch 'Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen' on Netflix now.

Courtesy of Netflix. Eddie Hearn raised an important issue of boxers' psychological health in light of shocking events in the boxing realm. His observations following the tragedy involving Ricky Hatton reflect the hesitance to reveal weaknesses in a competitive environment. In this context, the documentary series 'Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen' offers viewers a chance to glimpse into the inner world of professional sports, where the fight for success is accompanied by considerable psychological barriers.