BoxRec

Press Release

Matchroom Boxing will return to The SSE Arena, Wembley for Josh Warrington vs. Mauricio Lara on Saturday February 13 and David Avanesyan vs. Josh Kelly on Saturday February 20, with both events shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories.

Matchroom’s first two events of 2021 kick off a stacked schedule that also features the highly anticipated Heavyweight rematch between Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte on Saturday March 6, Lawrence Okolie’s shot at the WBO Cruiserweight crown against Krzysztof Glowacki on Saturday March 20 and rising Welterweight star Conor Benn vs. Samuel Vargas on Saturday April 10.

This follows on from Matchroom’s hugely successful residency at The SSE Arena, Wembley in October, November and December last year that that saw pound-for-pound star Oleksander Usyk outpoint Derek Chisora, Undisputed Lightweight ruler Katie Taylor retain her belts against Miriam Gutierrez, Conor Benn turn in a career-best performance against Sebastian Formella, Billy Joe Saunders defend his WBO Super-Middleweight crown against Martin Murray and culminated in Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua brutally knocking out Kubrat Pulev in front of 1,000 fans.

Matchroom’s 2021 schedule launches with a bang on February 13 as Warrington (30-0, 7 KOs) faces Mexico’s Mauricio Lara (21-2, 14 KOs) while he waits for a huge fight later in the year, Manchester Super-Featherweight contender Zelfa Barrett (24-1, 15 KOs) defends his IBF Intercontinental Title against Spain’s former Super-Bantamweight World Champion Kiko Martinez (41-9-2, 29 KOs) in the chief support bout, Nottingham’s Leigh Wood (23-2, 13 KOs) clashes with unbeaten Doncaster man Reece Mould (13-0, 6 KOs) for the vacant British Featherweight Title, fast-rising Sheffield Super-Lightweight talent Dalton Smith (6-0, 5 KOs) sees action, Leeds Featherweight Hopey Price (3-0, 1 KO) meets Zahid Hussain (16-1, 2 KOs) and Keighley Featherweight Ibrahim Nadim (2-0) steps up against Jonny Phillips (5-5, 2 KOs).

Russia’s European Welterweight Champion Avanesyan (26-3-1, 14 KOs) makes his long-awaited Title defence against Kelly (10-0-1, 6 KOs) at the top of the bill on February 20, Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler (13-1, 10 KOs) returns against Spain's Jorge Fortea (21-2-1, 7 KOs), undefeated Welterweights Florian Marku (7-0-1, 5 KOs) and Rylan Charlton (6-0-1, 3 KOs) meet in what promises to be an explosive ten-round battle, Amy Timlin (4-0-1) and Carly Skelly (3-0-1) rematch for the vacant Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title after their split draw on the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Derek Chisora undercard last October and explosive Romford Heavyweight Johnny Fisher makes his highly anticipated professional debut.

John Drury, VP and General Manager at The SSE Arena, Wembley, said: "We’re delighted to welcome Matchroom Boxing back to The SSE Arena, Wembley for our first events of 2021. We’re looking forward to another huge residency, with ASM Global’s VenueShield protocols keeping everyone at our venue safe and comfortable in a welcoming and Covid-secure environment."

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑28 Jan 2021, 11:41 There's a separate thread on boxers quitting the world title. Few quit for non-title fights. History doesn't look back kindly on those who did.

Carl Froch gave up to avoid DeGale.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑30 Jan 2021, 12:46

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑28 Jan 2021, 11:41 There's a separate thread on boxers quitting the world title. Few quit for non-title fights. History doesn't look back kindly on those who did.

Carl Froch gave up to avoid DeGale.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑30 Jan 2021, 12:46

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑28 Jan 2021, 11:41 There's a separate thread on boxers quitting the world title. Few quit for non-title fights. History doesn't look back kindly on those who did.

Carl Froch gave up to avoid DeGale.

I think you need help.

Gary Russell: Hearn Offered Me $1 Million To Fight Warrington; Beneath My Standards

Gary Russell Jr. deemed Eddie Hearn’s offer for a featherweight title unification fight against Josh Warrington unacceptable.

Russell revealed during the newest episode of “The PBC Podcast” that Warrington’s promoter made him a $1 million offer for that bout through social media. Russell turned it down because he believes that fight is worth more money, particularly if Russell would’ve had to travel to the unbeaten Brit’s home country to fight him.

“Eddie Hearn reached out to me through Instagram,” Russell told co-hosts Kenneth Bouhairie and Michael Rosenthal in an episode that debuted Wednesday on premierboxingchampions.com. “He offered me a million dollars to fight Josh Warrington for a unification match. And I felt like it was a little, it was beneath my standards.”

“To be honest, at [126], it’s nobody in my weight division right now that I would say that I’m actually targeting, that I want,” Russell said. “All the guys that I want is at maybe ’30 or ’35. But I think right now I’m at the dilemma whereas though I’m just coming up on the time frame because I am a title-holder, you know, I have the dilemma whereas though I still have to defend my title within a certain time frame. So, I’ll compete against the next best guy than the champion.

“Whoever the next best guy is, we’ll compete against him, you know, and God willing, we get through that. Immediately after, you know, we wanna start working on some things, so we can get us another fight in this year. You know, because once my mandatory is completely satisfied, then I have the ability to go and take another fight. The question is, who is gonna fight me? Who would be willing to take the fight?”

AJ turned down $50m to fight Wilder. Hearn said there was no contract to look at.
Hearn makes offer on Instagram

BigDoofus wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 08:45 AJ turned down $50m to fight Wilder. Hearn said there was no contract to look at.
Hearn makes offer on Instagram

Fact is an offer was made. Doesn't matter how you do it. Email, telephone, Social media.

It was a private offer, through direct message. It was GRJ that made it public knowledge.

TBH, $1m is a very poor offer. To someone who fights once a year and gets paid between $1.5m to $2m for that one fight a year.

I think this offer was made when War still had his IBF belt.

Honestly, if he wants DRJ to come over to the UK and defend his WBC belt, which he has had over 4 years, he's gonna need to dig deep and offer $3m+ IMO. The Ring Mag belt will be on the line too.

He's gonna want fans in attendance, because a PPV does not sell.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 08:50 Fact is an offer was made. Doesn't matter how you do it. Email, telephone, Social media.

I agree with you. My point was that Hearn made out the Wilder offer wasn't genuine because he didn't receive a contract.

BigDoofus wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 09:28

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 08:50 Fact is an offer was made. Doesn't matter how you do it. Email, telephone, Social media.

I agree with you. My point was that Hearn made out the Wilder offer wasn't genuine because he didn't receive a contract.

It’s a bit different though. Eddie/Matchroom are promoters who have the funds to back up their offers. It’s the job to make offers to fighters!

Wilder made an offer via social media (which is very unusual for a fighter to do), Matchroom requested a contract/proof of funds that supposedly never came.

Re: the Gary Russell offer it’s a really good fight but $1m is probably a few hundred grand too low for him if we are to believe his reported purses of recent fights.

maverick23 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 09:54 Re: the Gary Russell offer it’s a really good fight but $1m is probably a few hundred grand too low for him if we are to believe his reported purses of recent fights.

He got $1.4 million agaisnt Diaz.

only $1m guarantee on his last fight, but these were all US fights. Gonna cost Eddeh more to bring him over.

Agreed but it’s not a PPV fight, Josh will want decent money too and Russell isn’t a big name over here that will drive big casual viewers. Will be difficult to justify paying close to $2m for the headline fight on a regular Sky Sports show.

I think they’re more likely to get Xu over here.

Press Release | Price vs Hussain & Barrett vs Martinez fight at The SSE Arena on Feb. 13

Zelfa Barrett has promised to put on a “spectacular performance” when he defends his IBF Intercontinental Super-Featherweight Title against former World Champion Kiko Martinez at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday February 13, live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories.

‘Brown Flash’ (24-1, 15 KOs) was last seen sensationally stopping Ireland’s Eric Donovan with a huge one-punch knockout in the eighth round of their clash at Matchroom Fight Camp last August, but the 27-year-old Mancunian talent was far from happy with his performance.

“I had to dig deep,” said Barrett. “Eric Donavan is a good fighter, a wicked fighter. I’ll never take anything away from him. I had to dig deep physically, mentally and emotionally. There was a point where my uncle said, ‘look at this kid, he’s tired, change the game plan and go forwards’.

“I just looked at my arm, grabbed my cup, put my hands together and thought, ‘let’s go’. That’s what I had to do. I’ve not thrown anything perfect like that before. Practice makes perfect though. We’ve been drilling every single punch we can think of. Nothing is a fluke.

“Credit to Eric Donovan. The finish was spectacular. The middle and the during wasn’t, for my standards. I’m a lot better than that. On February 13th I’m going to put on one hell of a performance. I believe I’m one of the best fighters in Britain, in any weight category. I believe in myself and what I do.”

Spain’s former Super-Bantamweight World Champion Martinez (41-9-2, 29 KOs) shared the ring with Barrett’s sparring partner Josh Warrington in 2017, and Manchester favourite Scott Quigg in 2015, so the British hope is all too aware of the threat ‘La Sensacion’ poses to his World Title aspirations.

“He’s like a train. He’s just going to come straight at me. I respect him as a fighter, and where he’s been. I’m there to do a job and I’m there to win, to look good as well. I’ve not underestimated this guy whatsoever. I’ve been disciplined. I’ve sacrificed my life to get where I’m at now.

“I know for a fact he’s going to come guns blazing. He’s going to be there every single second of every single round. We’re prepared for that. I can’t switch off. I’ve got to be focused on him. That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to put on a spectacular performance.

“We take every fight like it’s a World Title fight. My Uncle Pat makes sure of that anyway. The only time we didn’t is the time we got beat. When you compare that fight to other fights, that wasn’t Zelfa Barrett. Every fight is important, every day is important, every session is important, every round is important.

“Blood, tears, sweat and knockouts. That’s what you can expect to see. That’s what I bring. This is what people want to see. If it’s going to be a 12-round masterclass then people will be intrigued by it too. I bring entertainment. I am entertainment. I’m there to put on a performance and be classy.”

Leeds Featherweight steps-up on February 13

Hopey Price has vowed to showcase the difference in ‘levels’ when he collides with Zahid Hussain at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday February 13, live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories.

The 20-year-old southpaw who turned over on the back of a hugely successful amateur career which culminated in capturing Gold at the Youth Olympics in 2018 has dazzled in his three professional outings, most recently on the second instalment of Fight Camp last summer with a polished victory over the rugged Jonny Phillips.

Former Central Area Featherweight Champion Hussain (16-1, 2 KOs) presents by far the toughest test of young ‘Drago’s’ career so far, but the Dave Coldwell-trained starlet has promised to steal the show with an eye-catching display.

“All I know is Zahid Hussain is from Leeds and he’s 16-1”, said Price. “Most people would look at someone who’s 3-0 fighting a 16-1 fighter as a big step-up, but for me I take it in my stride. I will prove how good I am and I’m looking to steal the show.

“I want to prove I’m the next big thing to come from Leeds, there’s levels to boxing and I will show in this fight that I’m levels above Zahid Hussain. If I keep putting on these good performances then I’ll continue to be on the good shows.

“I don’t feel I’m far off Title level but I’m still only young. As soon as Dave and Eddie give me the green light then I’ll be ready to bring belts back. I think the fans are going to watch me and think, ‘wow, who is this kid!’ I want to people to say, ‘this kid is special’.

“I’m not in this game to just become a British Champion, I want to be one of the all time greats. If I am going to get there then I need to take these types of fights and show how good I am. I believe I should be beating guys at this level in style.

“On February 13 you’re going to see a big improvement from me. Fight Camp was an amazing experience and against Johnny Phillips I stepped out of the journeyman bracket and fought someone who was coming to win, which only means you’ll see a better Hopey Price.”

Price vs. Hussain is part of a big night of action, Josh Warrington (30-0, 7 KOs) faces Mexico’s Mauricio Lara (21-2, 14 KOs), Zelfa Barrett defends his IBF Intercontinental Super-Featherweight Title against former World Champion Kiko Martinez, Nottingham’s Leigh Wood (23-2, 13 KOs) clashes with unbeaten Doncaster man Reece Mould (13-0, 6 KOs) for the vacant British Featherweight Title, fast-rising Sheffield Super-Lightweight talent Dalton Smith (6-0, 5 KOs) takes on Ben Fields (10-9-2) and Keighley Featherweight Ibrahim Nadim (2-0) steps-up against Jonny Phillips (5-5, 2 KOs).

maverick23 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 09:54

BigDoofus wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 09:28

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 08:50 Fact is an offer was made. Doesn't matter how you do it. Email, telephone, Social media.

I agree with you. My point was that Hearn made out the Wilder offer wasn't genuine because he didn't receive a contract.

It’s a bit different though. Eddie/Matchroom are promoters who have the funds to back up their offers. It’s the job to make offers to fighters!

Wilder made an offer via social media (which is very unusual for a fighter to do), Matchroom requested a contract/proof of funds that supposedly never came.

Re: the Gary Russell offer it’s a really good fight but $1m is probably a few hundred grand too low for him if we are to believe his reported purses of recent fights.

Finkel was behind the bid. When has he not delivered?

https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/i ... ation-bout

Joshua later changed the excuse:

https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/4613 ... e-rematch/

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 10:15

maverick23 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 09:54 Re: the Gary Russell offer it’s a really good fight but $1m is probably a few hundred grand too low for him if we are to believe his reported purses of recent fights.

He got $1.4 million agaisnt Diaz.

only $1m guarantee on his last fight, but these were all US fights. Gonna cost Eddeh more to bring him over.

Warrington has nothing to offer now. It's more smoke and mirrors from Hearn.

BigDoofus wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 11:37

maverick23 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 09:54

BigDoofus wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 09:28

I agree with you. My point was that Hearn made out the Wilder offer wasn't genuine because he didn't receive a contract.

It’s a bit different though. Eddie/Matchroom are promoters who have the funds to back up their offers. It’s the job to make offers to fighters!

Wilder made an offer via social media (which is very unusual for a fighter to do), Matchroom requested a contract/proof of funds that supposedly never came.

Re: the Gary Russell offer it’s a really good fight but $1m is probably a few hundred grand too low for him if we are to believe his reported purses of recent fights.

Finkel was behind the bid. When has he not delivered?

https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/i ... ation-bout

Joshua later changed the excuse:

https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/4613 ... e-rematch/

Finkel’s his manager so could have been legit but the email, per that link, was sent by Deontay and no contract/proof of funds was given when asked for. They had to agree to it before even seeing a contract - never going to happen and nor should it. It was a well played PR exercise.

Also in light of recent events with Deontay I’m not inclined to trust the words of someone who believes his trainer spiked his drink, his robe caused him to have no energy, his opponent had dodgy gloves and weights in them.

BigDoofus wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 11:40

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 10:15

maverick23 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 09:54 Re: the Gary Russell offer it’s a really good fight but $1m is probably a few hundred grand too low for him if we are to believe his reported purses of recent fights.

He got $1.4 million agaisnt Diaz.

only $1m guarantee on his last fight, but these were all US fights. Gonna cost Eddeh more to bring him over.

Warrington has nothing to offer now. It's more smoke and mirrors from Hearn.

He’s Ring Magazine no1 and 30-0.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 13:44

BigDoofus wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 11:40

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 10:15

He got $1.4 million agaisnt Diaz.

only $1m guarantee on his last fight, but these were all US fights. Gonna cost Eddeh more to bring him over.

Warrington has nothing to offer now. It's more smoke and mirrors from Hearn.

He’s Ring Magazine no1 and 30-0.

So which champion was prepared to travel to Leeds when Warrington had a belt?

Never heard of a single opponent on Lara's record, he got done in a round before as well, even with the inactivity you'd like to see Warrington take care of him the way he did Takoucht to set up the Xu fight in a few months time

I like Leigh Wood vs Reece Mould, good fight that for vacant British Featherweight title, i tipped Wood to win the Golden Contract but he deservedly lost to Dickens in the semis, still he's a good domestic Feather, he was in good form going into the GC and although Mould's unbeaten its a big step up

Josh must be taking a hell of a pay cut. Not quite in the Galahad league but none the less, big. His fans are his revenue, but conversely, his worst enemy if ever he wants to be ppv because nobody likes Leeds! Most of the target audience casuals probably hate them.

handsofstone wrote: ↑07 Feb 2021, 11:23 Never heard of a single opponent on Lara's record, he got done in a round before as well, even with the inactivity you'd like to see Warrington take care of him the way he did Takoucht to set up the Xu fight in a few months time

According to Eddie, the Xu fight is about 9 weeks after. He couldn't agree a deal with the IBF title on the line so what are the chances of that happening?

mickey1975 wrote: ↑07 Feb 2021, 12:00 Josh must be taking a hell of a pay cut.

His fight shouldn't even be top of the bill.

BigDoofus wrote: ↑07 Feb 2021, 13:32

handsofstone wrote: ↑07 Feb 2021, 11:23 Never heard of a single opponent on Lara's record, he got done in a round before as well, even with the inactivity you'd like to see Warrington take care of him the way he did Takoucht to set up the Xu fight in a few months time

According to Eddie, the Xu fight is about 9 weeks after. He couldn't agree a deal with the IBF title on the line so what are the chances of that happening?

Hearn said the ring title would b on the line and possibly the wba title depending on what happens with lsc. Regards to ibf kid had agreed to step aside to allow the fight to happen then changed his mind when the date was going to b changed again. Thats why warrington vacated.

maley1984 wrote: ↑07 Feb 2021, 14:24

BigDoofus wrote: ↑07 Feb 2021, 13:32

handsofstone wrote: ↑07 Feb 2021, 11:23 Never heard of a single opponent on Lara's record, he got done in a round before as well, even with the inactivity you'd like to see Warrington take care of him the way he did Takoucht to set up the Xu fight in a few months time

According to Eddie, the Xu fight is about 9 weeks after. He couldn't agree a deal with the IBF title on the line so what are the chances of that happening?

Hearn said the ring title would b on the line and possibly the wba title depending on what happens with lsc. Regards to ibf kid had agreed to step aside to allow the fight to happen then changed his mind when the date was going to b changed again. Thats why warrington vacated.

Ring title would be against Russell..

maley1984 wrote: ↑07 Feb 2021, 14:24

BigDoofus wrote: ↑07 Feb 2021, 13:32

handsofstone wrote: ↑07 Feb 2021, 11:23 Never heard of a single opponent on Lara's record, he got done in a round before as well, even with the inactivity you'd like to see Warrington take care of him the way he did Takoucht to set up the Xu fight in a few months time

According to Eddie, the Xu fight is about 9 weeks after. He couldn't agree a deal with the IBF title on the line so what are the chances of that happening?

Hearn said the ring title would b on the line and possibly the wba title depending on what happens with lsc. Regards to ibf kid had agreed to step aside to allow the fight to happen then changed his mind when the date was going to b changed again. Thats why warrington vacated.

My point was that Xu couldn't be persuaded to come over with the IBF title on the line. Now It isn't but we're expected to believe that he's coming in a few weeks?
Warrington could have fought Galahad instead of vacating.