CUE OWE ME RON

Hearn: Rocket will one day say thanks for all the opportunities I gave him to have a great life

- HECTOR NUNNS

SHAKY GROUND

Hearn and O'Sullivan had their ups and downs during the Rocket's rise to the top

BARRY HEARN reckons that maverick genius Ronnie O'Sullivan will thank him one day - just as boxer Chris Eubank did in a recent phone call.

The Rocket has been snooker's biggest box-office star for three decades and remains world No.1 and joint-holder, with Stephen Hendry, of the record for world titles with seven.

But O'Sullivan's relationship with the game and the authorities has often been strained before finding more peace since turning to sports psychiatrist Steve Peters in 2011.

Though former World Snooker supremo Hearn always acknowledged O'Sullivan's unique ability, there have been many public spats that fuelled the player's reputation as anti-establishment.