FRANK WARREN and BT Sport have offered out Eddie Hearn and Sky Sports for the biggest cross-company battle in British boxing history.
The Queensberry boss and his broadcasters challenged Matchroom and their TV partners to two five-fight shows that pit the best of each stable against the other.
Frank Warren is keen to instigate the biggest cross-company battle in British boxing history involving Daniel DuboisCredit: PA:Press Association
Eddie Hearn and Matchroom have been challenged to two five-fight shows that pit the best of each stable against the otherCredit: PA:Press Association
Warren’s team would pit heavyweight sensation Dubois against Hearn’s Dillian Whyte
Star names from Warren’s team — including heavyweight sensation Daniel Dubois, light-heavy star Anthony Yarde and middleweight machine Liam Williams — have been offered up to Hearn’s Dillian Whyte, undefeated Joshua Buatsi and American WBO champ Demetrius Andrade.
Hall of Fame promoter Warren believes the sensational showdowns are the perfect way to repay fight fans who have missed out on four months of boxing.
Warren told SunSport: “I haven’t thrown the gauntlet down.
“I have slung a suit of armour at them and said, ‘Let’s do it!’.
“To make this work you need two promotional companies and two promotional stables. We are on board, we are up for it, it’s just down to them.
“Like BT, Sky will want to give their subscribers the best and in BT they have a friendly company to deal with — plus they already share a number of sports well.
Everyone’s a winner in this. I think my guys will beat all of their guys and I’m sure their side will feel the same. It will be the biggest thing in British boxing history.
Frank Warren
“There is no reason why they could not do the same for boxing.
“Everyone’s a winner in this. I think my guys will beat all of their guys and I’m sure their side will feel the same.
“There will be bookies’ favourites and upsets.
“This will be the most exciting time to be a British boxing fan — if they accept.
“It will be the biggest thing in British boxing history.
“For the two channels and promoters to cooperate on a 50-50 show would be the biggest thing ever.”
Queensbuy vs Matchroom
Frank Warren has his say on some of the potential crossover fights…
DANIEL DUBOIS vs JOE JOYCE
The winner will face Dillian Whyte. I think my unbeaten heavyweights Joe and Daniel have the beating of him. Whoever loses on October 24 meets Derek Chisora — and what better opponent to bounce back against.
LIAM WILLIAMS vs DEMETRIUS ANDRADE
This WBO middleweight world title is the only international fight on the list. It’s the fight Liam and Andrade want.
ANTHONY YARDE vs JOSH BUATSI
I fancy Anthony in this light-heavyweight battle with Buatsi because that narrow loss to Sergey Lovalev has given him the edge of experience. He was ten seconds away from being a world champ by beating a monster.
NATHAN GORMAN vs DAVE ALLEN
Dave has been on some big shows and lost a few fights, so this should appeal to him. Nathan is on the comeback trail. It looks at ideal fight for both heavyweights.
ARCHIE SHARP vs ZELFA BARRETT
I know a lot of neutrals would see this super- featherweight bout as 50-50 but I have to back Archie. We tried to make it happen when Zelfa was under contract with us.
JAMES METCALF vs ANTHONY FOWLER
Middleweight Metcalf is 21-0 now and people will want to avoid him. Fowler is 12-1 so doesn’t have that 0 to protect.
CHRIS JENKINS vs CONOR BENN
Conor doesn’t usually fight anyone with a pulse but, in fairness to him and his team, they did ask about this fight a while ago but we couldn’t agree terms. Now would be the perfect time to put this British welterweight title fight in the mix.
CHARLIE EDWARDS vs KAL YAFAI
I’ve read Charlie and Kal didn’t get on during their Team GB days. Charlie has a score to settle and Kal thinks he is the better super-flyweight. Let’s see.
Warren and Hearn have no working relationship despite being the two dominant UK figures in the sport.
But the rival firms have shared centre stage before and Warren has done deals with Eddie’s father, Barry — who founded the Matchroom empire — for almost four decades.
And Warren, 68, would happily deal with his fellow pensioner to give the new generation of fight fans a glimpse of the glory days they enjoyed.
He said: “I grew up watching the ‘Four Kings’ all fight each other: Tommy Hearns, Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard. We can make that happen now for British fighters — we can do our very best version of it.
“People think that me and the Hearns could not work together but we have before and could again.
“Eddie is still working Barry’s money and I don’t care who I have to deal with to get this done.
I don’t think anyone actually gives a s*** what Eddie owns or promotes and I’m sure it is the same for me. Fans care about the fighters and the fights
Frank Warren
“I have known Barry for around 35 years. We were even partners in snooker in the early days, so I know him very well and would have no problem working with either of them.
“Eddie is saying he wants to own and control boxing, like the UFC do with MMA but that is very unhealthy.
“Monopolies in sport and business are very bad, competition is essential.
“I don’t think anyone actually gives a s*** what Eddie owns or promotes and I’m sure it is the same for me. Fans care about the fighters and the fights — and we can make it happen.
“It’s not about me and Queensberry or Matchroom and Eddie Hearn. It is about giving the British boxing fans what they are craving. Let’s get it on.
“We cannot stage the international fights we would like to because of the travel restrictions, and these — apart from one — are domestic fights.
“These are big-money fights, not cheap jobs, and the fans deserve them.
Warren and his broadcasters BT Sports challenged Matchroom and Sky to two five-fight shows that pit the best of each stable against the other
“We would love to do them in front of a live audience but, if not, we’ll just find a way to make them happen.
“We tested the water with our first three shows, just to get the sport back running again, and had total success with the health and safety plus testing.
“Now we want to take it to the next stage — and this is really delivering what the fans want.”
Eddie Hearn says Canelo Alvarez’s first choice is Callum Smith to fight next ahead of September ring return
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
