Eddie Hearn signs 18-year-old former rugby player inspired by Anthony Joshua who is destined for ‘very top’
Eddie Hearn has inked a deal to sign teenage heavyweight sensation Leo Atang. Hearn and his promotional stable Matchroom Boxing have produced a raft of blue-riband talent, most notoriously boxing superstar Anthony Joshua. Atang has taken inspiration from Joshua and joined Matchroom Boxing And the Brentwood-based promoter has now added another frightening young talent to his roster in Atang. The 18-year-old has inked a long-term promotional deal with Matchroom, and will make his professional debut later in 2025. Hearn said of the deal: “We’re incredibly excited to secure the signing of highly-rated teenage Heavyweight talent Leo Atang. “We’ve been following Leo’s rapid rise in the amateur ranks and we feel he will be perfectly suited to the professional game. “Leo possesses all of the attributes to make it to the very top and we can’t wait to get this journey underway. “Naturally there was a lot of interest in landing the signature of one of the very best prospects in Britain, and we’re delighted that Leo and his team have chosen us to guide his career.” Atang is a highly coveted prospect who has had a wave of success as an amateur, winning five National titles. He has also won the World Boxing Under-19 World Championships last year in the US, and is the latest British talent to impress globally. Atang wasn’t always an operator of the sweet science, having developed his athletic ability in Rugby League. He showed signs of explosive power in the sport before converting to boxing, where he will be the latest to turn over as a professional. Matchroom BoxingAtang has a bright future ahead[/caption] Experience will be necessary moving forwards and he already has former IBF champion Sunny Edwards as part of his team. On the move, Atang remarked: “It’s a dream come true to sign with Matchroom. “My team and I have had many good conversations leading to me turning pro. “But I knew this one just felt right from the start. It’s what I always hoped for. “I cannot wait to get started with Eddie Hearn, Sunny, Anthony Fitzpatrick and all the team at Matchroom Boxing. “More importantly, I just want to get in the ring and show the whole world what I am all about. “We put the work in and we put the hours in. I live the life. My mentality is – push myself the absolute limit and leave no stone unturned. “I’m fit, I’m strong and I’l be ready to go with anyone tomorrow. “I’ve got what it takes to go to the top of this sport. The future is here.” Atang has taken inspiration from Joshua, who emerged and became a staple of the heavyweight scene. It is a long road to come for the York native, but he will hope to emulate that early success. Follow talkBOXING on social media talkBOXING is now on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us on social media for big breaking boxing news, exclusive interviews and the best bits from our talkBOXING YouTube show. Like our Facebook page HERE Follow us on Twitter HERE Sign up for our WhatsApp channel HERE
Eddie Hearn has inked a deal to sign teenage heavyweight sensation Leo Atang.
Hearn and his promotional stable Matchroom Boxing have produced a raft of blue-riband talent, most notoriously boxing superstar Anthony Joshua.
And the Brentwood-based promoter has now added another frightening young talent to his roster in Atang.
The 18-year-old has inked a long-term promotional deal with Matchroom, and will make his professional debut later in 2025.
Hearn said of the deal: “We’re incredibly excited to secure the signing of highly-rated teenage Heavyweight talent Leo Atang.
“We’ve been following Leo’s rapid rise in the amateur ranks and we feel he will be perfectly suited to the professional game.
“Leo possesses all of the attributes to make it to the very top and we can’t wait to get this journey underway.
“Naturally there was a lot of interest in landing the signature of one of the very best prospects in Britain, and we’re delighted that Leo and his team have chosen us to guide his career.”
Atang is a highly coveted prospect who has had a wave of success as an amateur, winning five National titles.
He has also won the World Boxing Under-19 World Championships last year in the US, and is the latest British talent to impress globally.
Atang wasn’t always an operator of the sweet science, having developed his athletic ability in Rugby League.
He showed signs of explosive power in the sport before converting to boxing, where he will be the latest to turn over as a professional.
Experience will be necessary moving forwards and he already has former IBF champion Sunny Edwards as part of his team.
On the move, Atang remarked: “It’s a dream come true to sign with Matchroom.
“My team and I have had many good conversations leading to me turning pro.
“But I knew this one just felt right from the start. It’s what I always hoped for.
“I cannot wait to get started with Eddie Hearn, Sunny, Anthony Fitzpatrick and all the team at Matchroom Boxing.
“More importantly, I just want to get in the ring and show the whole world what I am all about.
“We put the work in and we put the hours in. I live the life. My mentality is – push myself the absolute limit and leave no stone unturned.
“I’m fit, I’m strong and I’l be ready to go with anyone tomorrow.
“I’ve got what it takes to go to the top of this sport. The future is here.”
Atang has taken inspiration from Joshua, who emerged and became a staple of the heavyweight scene.
It is a long road to come for the York native, but he will hope to emulate that early success.
