BoxRec

Eddie Hearn To Stage Four Shows at SSE Arena, Wembley

Eddie Hearn will stage four shows at the 12,500-capacity SSE Arena, Wembley, as he aims to increase pressure for a return of fans.

The Oleksandr Usyk-Dereck Chisora heavyweight fight on October 31 will be the first of the shows at the venue, formerly known as Wembley Arena. It will then be followed at Wembley by the show headlined by Katie Taylor against Miriam Gutierrez on November 14 and then the November 21 Dillian Whyte-Alexander Povetkin bill. The final card will be headlined by Billy Joe Saunders making a defence of his WBO super-middleweight title. That is currently scheduled for November 28, although it might move back a week if Sky Sports decide not to go head-to-head with BT Sport’s screening of the Daniel Dubois-Joe Joyce heavyweight clash.

The shows will go ahead whether or not fans are allowed but, by going to such a big venue, Hearn hopes to be able to let fans in if he is given the green light by the Government. If fans are allowed in, none will be allowed at ringside. It will also provide a useful trial looking ahead to Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight title defence in December, which Hearn hopes to admit more than 4,000 for.

“I am planning the fights with no fans at the moment,” Hearn said to Boxing Scene. “We will have the same venue for four events and just keep canvassing, asking for 1,500 or 2,000 fans to be let in.

“I don’t like to go into big arenas and seeing loads of empty seats everywhere. We have to get creative with the production, but the plan is to fill them up or at least certainly get some bums on seats.

“Early doors I hope we can get 1,000 in, show the Government how we can get it done safely and from there escalating to AJ.”

A rise in coronavirus cases, which has even seen Hearn and his father, Barry, test positive, has led to more restrictions in the UK, with all pubs and restaurants in central Scotland closing for 16 days and several areas in lockdown.

Hearn is also hopeful that a crowd of 4,700 may be permitted for Anthony Joshua’s WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight title defence on December 12 at the O2 Arena, London, after a concert the previous week at the venue was given approval to have a live audience.

The band Squeeze will play the O2 Arena on December 5 and 4,700 socially-distanced seats will be on sale at the 19,000-seater venue.

“There is a music event approved the week before AJ,” he said. “That would suggest we might be able to do that number for AJ, but that is subject to them not changing their mind. We had the Crucible, 400 people for every day for the World Snooker Championships and after one day they closed it down.

“The pressure is definitely mounting for fans to be allowed back, but on the other hand they are talking about closing pubs and restaurants,” Hearn said. “So how can you close pubs and restaurants but allow people to go to sporting events?

“Sooner or later they are going to have a decision on their hands. Do you open things up and put in what measures you can, or do you close everything down again and everything could be screwed?”

No opponent has been announced yet for Saunders, who has not boxed since his knockout win over Marcelo Coceres on the KSI-Logan Paul bill in Los Angeles last November. However, Hearn says he is keen on an all British fight.

“I’d like to do a Brit,” he said. “So it is probably one of [Martin] Murray, [Rocky] Fielding or [John] Ryder.”

They might change the date, as it will be head to head with Dubois vs. Joyce..

And now that's not on PPV, it'll be all eyes on BT.

None of the above in (British) world title defences.

Let's see the gob shite in with David Benevidez.

ffs not martin murray

Its probably a good thing for Saunders , that no spectators allowed , sort of gives him a get out of jail card , for not being able to pull a crowd anyway

Ryder is easily the best name of that lot, on a very good run that included many having him beat Cal, and already gave bjs a close hard fight before improving

The irony of Saunders turning down good money to fight credible opponents and now turning up here fighting a knock-over for peanuts.

Black Sam Bellamy wrote: ↑10 Oct 2020, 03:11 The irony of Saunders turning down good money to fight credible opponents and now turning up here fighting a knock-over for peanuts.

It’s either they want too much money to fight a big name.. but like you said, they’ll take chump change anywhere else.

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑09 Oct 2020, 20:15 ffs not martin murray

I know!!

After he lost to Hassan N’Dam, He’s only fought twice on MTK cards.

him and callum smith should fight , but of course it has to be with a crowd or PPV , I think they will wait until they can do it with fans and on ppv .

stevec@france wrote: ↑10 Oct 2020, 10:01 him and callum smith should fight , but of course it has to be with a crowd or PPV , I think they will wait until they can do it with fans and on ppv .

Could be some time and their prime years could be behind them .

Is going to be Martin Murray if its Chudinov but one of those two for sure.

Press Release

Billy Joe Saunders will make the second defence of his WBO Super-Middleweight World Title against British rival Martin Murray at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Friday December 4, live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in all of its nine markets including the U.S.

Hatfield star Saunders (29-0, 14 KOs) became a two-weight World Champion with a shutout points win over Shefat Isufi in May 2019, outclassing his Serbian opponent over 12 rounds to add the WBO 168lbs crown to his collection.

The former Middleweight ruler was on the verge of securing a mega fight with Mexican pound-for-pound icon Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez earlier this year before the coronavirus pandemic turned the sporting world on its head and scuppered his shot at greatness.

Four-time World Title challenger Murray (39-5-1, 17 KOs) stands in the way of unification fights for Saunders in 2021, and the St Helens man is more determined than ever to finally land a World Title of his own and put his rivalry with Saunders to bed after their scheduled meeting in 2018 fell through twice.

“I am very happy to be defending my WBO World Title again,” said Saunders. “I haven’t boxed for a year and I really do miss being in the ring. I can’t wait to have my 30th professional fight and finish the year with a bang before a big 2021.

“The coronavirus pandemic has affected everybody in many ways, and it has had a big impact on the sport of boxing. The Canelo Alvarez fight falling through was very frustrating for me but now the journey continues in December.

“Martin and I were supposed to fight twice before but it didn’t happen either time. He said some stuff and so did I, so let’s see who can back it up. I’m enjoying training with Mark Tibbs. He’s incredibly knowledgeable in the sport of boxing and we are working on new stuff that we will show on the night."

“I’m really looking forward to getting back in there and fighting for another World Title,” said Murray. “The big fights definitely bring out the best in me. This year has been a good year for me personally. It seemed like all the stresses of life were taken away so I really enjoyed being able to relax a bit more and spend even more time with my family.

“There was no bad blood really between me and Billy to be honest, it was just a lot of frustration after he pulled out twice. That got left where it was, but we’ve definitely got some unfinished business. I’m expecting a hard fight and Billy Joe to be at his best, so I’ll be ready.”

“I’m delighted to announce another big fight for the 2020 schedule as we close out this tough year with a huge bang,” said Eddie Hearn. “All-British World Title fights are always special, especially in the Super-Middleweight division, and I’m really excited to see Billy back in the ring. We were 24 hours away from an announcement for Billy to fight Canelo when the pandemic hit and so it throws up the final roll of the dice for Martin Murray who will give it everything on December 4.”

“We’re bringing you more World Title action on our Sky Sports schedule during a thrilling end to the boxing calendar, which also features the return of Katie Taylor and some huge Heavyweight nights on Sky Sports Box Office,” said Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports.

“Billy Joe Saunders defends his WBO Super-Middleweight belt in an all-British battle against Martin Murray, with live boxing back on a Friday night! Katie Taylor returns next month on a triple-header of women’s World Title fights – and Britain’s Heavyweights also take centre stage as Usyk vs. Chisora, Povetkin vs. Whyte 2 and AJ vs. Pulev will guarantee Heavyweight drama.”

Wow. Is there anyone that has had more world title opportunies than Murray?

Pretty sure this was supposed to launch DAZN in the UK.

Can only hope the undercard is decent .

rd350lc wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 10:50 Can only hope the undercard is decent .

Realistically, this should just be on thje AJ-Pulev PPV card...

The move to Matchroom has gone down well. Fought on an undercard of 2 youtubers and now they’ve dug up Martin Murray. As said above this should be on the AJ undercard.

Saunders only has himself to blame. He turned down Canelo because 5 million wasn’t enough and 10 weeks was too short notice.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 10:51

rd350lc wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 10:50 Can only hope the undercard is decent .

Realistically, this should just be on thje AJ-Pulev PPV card...

Agreed , very early on would be fine.

ash.123 wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 10:53 The move to Matchroom has gone down well. Fought on an undercard of 2 youtubers and now they’ve dug up Martin Murray. As said above this should be on the AJ undercard.

Saunders only has himself to blame. He turned down Canelo because 5 million wasn’t enough and 10 weeks was too short notice.

Talk about a waste of talent and career ,surely these should be his best years .....

rd350lc wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 10:56

ash.123 wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 10:53 The move to Matchroom has gone down well. Fought on an undercard of 2 youtubers and now they’ve dug up Martin Murray. As said above this should be on the AJ undercard.

Saunders only has himself to blame. He turned down Canelo because 5 million wasn’t enough and 10 weeks was too short notice.

Talk about a waste of talent and career ,surely these should be his best years .....

Him and Smith need to realise they’re not big ticket sellers and there’s absolutely no excuse for them not to fight. I don’t know if it’s either of them or Hearn but they’re literally with the same promoter, the same division, have a belt each and no covid travel restrictions. Should be the easiest fight going to make.

ash.123 wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 10:59

rd350lc wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 10:56

ash.123 wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 10:53 The move to Matchroom has gone down well. Fought on an undercard of 2 youtubers and now they’ve dug up Martin Murray. As said above this should be on the AJ undercard.

Saunders only has himself to blame. He turned down Canelo because 5 million wasn’t enough and 10 weeks was too short notice.

Talk about a waste of talent and career ,surely these should be his best years .....

Him and Smith need to realise they’re not big ticket sellers and there’s absolutely no excuse for them not to fight. I don’t know if it’s either of them or Hearn but they’re literally with the same promoter, the same division, have a belt each and no covid travel restrictions. Should be the easiest fight going to make.

Agreed , going back to the 90's the top dogs at this weight all fought each other .
Nowadays there is so much politics and avoidance going on .
Shame the way it's gone .

ash.123 wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 10:53 The move to Matchroom has gone down well. Fought on an undercard of 2 youtubers and now they’ve dug up Martin Murray. As said above this should be on the AJ undercard.

Warrington needs to get a move on as well.

Is this PPV ?

Rubbish fight, Another reason to hate BJS, he doesn't want to fight anyone good. I hope Murray somehow wins it.