Matchroom Boxing, led by prominent promoter Eddie Hearn, has announced the signing of a significant new talent who first gained recognition within the UFC`s Octagon.
Hearn has often expressed admiration for Dana White and the UFC, and now, one of the leading mixed martial arts promotion`s former athletes has joined his boxing roster.
This move comes at a time when increased interaction between the UFC and professional boxing is anticipated, notably with Dana White promoting the potential Canelo Alvarez vs Terrence Crawford bout.
As Hearn prepares for potential collaborations or rivalries with White, recent breaking news confirms that a fighter has officially transitioned from MMA to boxing.
While several ex-UFC stars, including Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz, have ventured into boxing after concluding their MMA careers, this particular signing still generated considerable interest.
Molly McCann Signs with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing
During a live broadcast of ‘Small Talk’ following the press conference for Jack Catterall vs Harlem Eubank, Eddie Hearn and Molly McCann appeared together.
It was on this show that Hearn revealed McCann has officially signed with Matchroom Boxing. She is set to commence a new professional career in the sport after retiring from mixed martial arts earlier this year.
McCann competed 14 times in the Octagon since her debut in May 2018, creating memorable moments over her years with the promotion, often alongside her close friend and training partner, Paddy Pimblett.
`Meatball` announced her retirement in March after suffering consecutive defeats, delivering an emotional farewell message to the fans at the O2 Arena in London.
Confirming her next steps, Hearn stated, “The official announcement is that boxing is next. She’s officially signed with Matchroom Boxing. Molly McCann will compete now as a boxer, about time I’d like to say as well. Former ABA champion, everyone knows her ability as a boxer. Obviously been a massive star within the UFC, built her profile globally as well and we’re delighted to start the journey with her.”
Hearn continued, “Delighted she’s chosen to sign with Matchroom, going to be fighting all around the world and there’s gonna be some massive nights. I had the pleasure of watching her cage-side… which the atmosphere, the energy, the fanbase of this woman is incredible. Great person, great fighter and now, putting the gloves on for real. The boxing journey is about to begin.”
Molly McCann`s UFC Retirement Comments
In March, Molly McCann experienced her 7th career defeat in the UFC when she was submitted by Alexia Thainara in the first round.
In her post-fight retirement speech delivered inside the Octagon, McCann explained her decision to step away from the UFC, stating that after a series of difficult results, the promotion and fans “deserved more” than her recent performances.
She told the crowd, “Tonight with that performance with someone on a week’s notice, it’s not good enough, I’m not coming in here just for a payday off these, the UFC deserves more, I deserve more and you all deserve more.”
She added a message of gratitude and inspiration: “So from this little girl from Norris Green, who’s got to fight in these amazing arenas thank you so much, to the little girls at home look at me, look what I managed to do, just two hands and two elbows and I had a good go.”
Beyond her MMA achievements, McCann possesses amateur boxing experience and previously had a professional football career with Liverpool before an injury ended that path.
