Frank Warren raised his eyebrows after hearing some of the recent statements from his promotional rival, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, who aimed criticism in the direction of his ex-content partner, Sky Sports.
Pick It: TBRB #1 David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux (Saturday, Showtime, 10:00 PM EST) - 25-year old David Benavidez (25-0, 22 KO) might not have Super middleweight champion Saul Alvarez in his sights in 2022, but 2023 could be a whole different story. As long as he keeps winning, the ultimate star making opponent is an option, especially with Benavidez maintaining a good relationship with the WBC.
Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano drew Showtime’s biggest audience for live boxing in nearly three years Saturday night. Nielsen Media Research released figures Tuesday that indicated an average audience of 756,000 watched their fantastic “Fight of the Year” candidate. Showtime’s audience peaked at 832,000 during a 154-pound title unification rematch that Charlo won by 10th-round knockout at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
THE DATE OF Saturday April 8 has proved to be a particularly significant one in my long promotional career, spanning more than 40 years. It was on this date, at the cavernous Manchester Arena, that we launched our partnership with BT Sport, who were newcomers into the sport of boxing. It was a bumper card with a number of big names and a few who would eventually become a big noise in the game.
Another dominant performance from Shakur Stevenson drew higher viewership than the previous Stevenson fight ESPN televised. Nielsen Media Research revealed Tuesday that an average of 1,353,000 viewers watched Stevenson’s 12-round, unanimous-decision victory over Oscar Valdez in their 130-pound title unification fight Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena in
Pick It: TBRB #1 Errol Spence vs. #3 Yordenis Ugas (Saturday, Showtime PPV, 9:00 PM EST) - 32-year old Errol Spence (27-0, 21 KO) has been known to make references to strap season. Already the WBC and IBF titlist, the 2012 US Olympian is returning from over a year out of the ring due to injury with an eye on one more strap. 35-year old Yordenis Ugas (27-4, 12 KO), a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist for Cuba and 2005 World amatuer champion, has the WBA belt and a four-fight win streak that includes retiring the great Manny Pacquiao.
Pick It: TBRB #3 Erickson Lubin vs. #5 Sebastian Fundora (Saturday, Showtime, 10:00 PM EST) - They might not be the highest grossing weight classes in boxing, but it’s hard to argue any two classes have delivered more for fans over the last six years than Jr. bantamweight and Jr. middleweight. They have featured deep round robins of action with multiple classics along the way. Is another one coming on Saturday?
Promoter Bob Arum is all ears as it pertains to working with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez on a potential fight, but the 90-year-old veteran also knows that any negotiations will heavily depend on figuring out one of boxing’s chronic, cardinal problems: who gets the broadcast rights?
Pick It: TBRB #7 Sandor Martin vs. Jose Felix (Friday, DAZN, 1:30 PM EST) - April 9th is one of the biggest days on the boxing calendar this year so far. Before we get there, we have one of those calm before the storm weeks. In Jr. welterweight action, fans can ask whether the winner of arguably 2021’s biggest upset is a man to watch or a man we remember once.
Pick It: TBRB #5 Kiko Martinez vs. #7 Josh Warrington (Saturday, DAZN, 3:00 PM EST) - The first time they fought, in a 2017 non-title affair, Spain’s 36-year old Martinez (43-10-2, 30 KO) thought he did enough to win. The judges disagreed and Warrington went on to win the IBF featherweight belt two fights later.