05 August 2020

Frank Warren issues challenge to Eddie Hearn by releasing huge nine-fight poster pitting BT and Sky boxers against each other

Frank Warren has called on Eddie Hearn to step up and make nine fights with him in the biggest cross-promotional clash in British boxing history.

Warren’s Queensbury Promotions currently put their fighters on BT Sport shows, while Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing does the same for his roster on Sky Sports.

Warren got British boxing fans talking with his social media posts on Tuesday evening (Twitter: @frankwarren_tv)
Warren hopes his fighters (left) can be pitted against Hearn's Matchroom boxers (right) (Twitter: @frankwarren_tv)

The two promoters famously do not get along and have done very few deals with one another in the past.

But now Warren appears to be offering an olive branch by putting those differences to one side and making some of the biggest fights the fans want to see. 

Accompanied by two posters showing nine of his fighters opposite Hearn and Sky’s boxers, Warren tweeted: "Queensberry vs Matchroom... BT vs Sky... Who wants it?!?"

The nine fights listed by Warren were:

  • Daniel Dubois v Dillian Whyte
  • Anthony Yarde v Joshua Buatsi
  • Joe Joyce v Dereck Chisora
  • Liam Williams v Demetrius Andrade
  • Charlie Edwards v Kal Yafai
  • Nathan Gorman v Dave Allen
  • Hamzah Sheeraz v Ted Cheeseman
  • Archie Sharp v Zelfa Barrett
  • Chris Jenkins v Conor Benn

Warren returned from the coronavirus pandemic with shows in a studio before Hearn resumed events with his ‘Fight Camp’ idea in the garden of Matchroom headquarters.

After Warren’s call out, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury added fuel to the flames by calling on his promoter to add him to the BT team against Anthony Joshua.

He said: "Make it happen @frankwarren_tv @matchroomsport give the fans some good fights! Also put on me vs AJ as well."

Fury and Joshua recently reached a ‘financial agreement’ to face off twice next year in what would be the biggest fights in British boxing history.

Hearn has responded to Warren’s offer by confirming he is open to making fights with the 68-year-old but that some of the bouts suggested are not possible.

"I thought it was strange, interesting, all those words," Hearn told Sky Sports.

"It's a bit weird. In a situation like that, normally you just phone someone or send them an email, saying 'This is my idea, what do you think?'

"Going out with a press release was an interesting tactic. A lot of the fights I really like, on those cards.

"Some are unrealistic - Dubois against Whyte. We know Whyte is fighting Povetkin and he's mandatory to Fury.

"We know Usyk is fighting Chisora. We know Joyce and Dubois are fighting, but some of them are great match-ups. I love Buatsi against Yarde. I also acknowledge fans want to see great fights, so if there's business to be done, I'm all for it."

The best videos delivered daily

Watch the stories that matter, right from your inbox