Barry Hearn, 76, to compete in new sport as he teams up with ex-Sky Sports presenter for US Open

BARRY HEARN will be teaming up with Andy Goldstein as they take up a new sport.

The duo will be competing in the US Open Pool Championship as wildcard players.

Hearn, 76, is the founder and president of Matchroom Sport and has worked in boxing, snooker, darts and football during his career.

The former chairman of Leyton Orient has also worked in pool, which is set to see him compete.

He will be hitting the felt in the tournament at the Harrah Resort in Atlantic City.

The competition is set to be held between August 19 and 20 and will be watchable on Sky Sports.

He will be joined by former Sky Sports presenter Goldstein, who currently works for talkSPORT.

Their participation was confirmed by Matchroom Pool.

A statement read: "The World Nineball Tour are excited to announce that Barry Hearn OBE, Matchroom Sports President, and Andy Goldstein, renowned TalkSport Radio host, will be competing as wildcard players at the US Open Pool Championship."

Hearn has admitted that he is coming into the competition as a massive underdog and will be happy to win "one rack".

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He said: “To walk out there and play against one of 128 players from the World Nineball Tour, which are the 128 best Nineball players in the world, is incredible.

";If I win one rack in the first round, I’ll sleep happy.

Goldstein, however, insisted he is there to compete and has a chance of going all the way.

He added: "I think you underestimate me… I actually think I have a chance at winning it."

Should one of the wildcards pull off the improbable, then they would walk away with a mega share of the £233,000 prize pot.