Unmatched

Hearn (right) with 2010 Hall of Fame inductee Francisco Bustamante. (Photo by Carla Altamonte)

DURING HIS 16-year stint as media director for the U.K.-based sports promotion company Matchroom Sport, Luke Riches has been a part of some of the best pool tournaments in the history of the game. But two days after the conclusion of the 2010 Mosconi Cup, he knew that Matchroom's flagship pool event had produced something extra special in its 17th edition.

"I think this year's Mosconi Cup is about as close to perfect as you can get for a pool event," Riches says from behind his desk inside the 18th-century country mansion on the outskirts of London that serves as Matchroom Sport headquarters. "You could argue that the Mosconi Cup this year was about as exciting as any televised sport you can think of - golf, football, baseball included."

Anyone who witnessed the four-day clash between teams from Europe and the United States, whether in the cozy confines of East London's historic York Hall or live in high definition throughout the U.K. on Sky Sports, would readily back up Riches' lofty assessment. With rabid fans hanging on every shot, incredible comebacks and pressure shot-making from the world's finest players, combined with the usual first-class Matchroom standards, the Mosconi Cup offered a vision of pool as its followers have always believed it could be.

This was pool as real sport.

The incredible success of the 2010 Mosconi Cup proved yet another milestone for Matchroom chairman Barry Hearn and his dedicated team. Since first trying its hand at promoting American pool 18 years ago, the family-owned company has consistently tried to outdo itself in terms of quality tournaments, prize money and high standards. In a sport that often seems to treat its players with disdain, Matchroom proudly continues to show others how it can and should be done. Its pool events have become the gold standard for players, all of whom jump at the chance to participate.

"Matchroom is something of a desired standard," says Mika Immonen, who has played in over 40 Matchroom events. "They're unparalleled by any other promoter. It is something that players hope all tournaments could be like. They have done an amazing job promoting pool around the world.

"Their boost on my career has been tremendous. I owe them great gratitude. Our industry owes them. Period."

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