Ben Shalom: Opportunity knocking for Fran Hennessy and Gradus Kraus

Promoter Ben Shalom admits his third show on the BBC has been “very tough” to keep on after the main event, between Adam Azim and Gustavo Lemos, was postponed when both fighters suffered injuries.

Originally Lemos pulled out, and Boxxer worked to salvage the event with Nahir Albright coming in as the replacement. Then Azim was injured.

At that point, fights involving Fran Hennessy and Gradus Kraus were upgraded to main event and chief support.

“First of all, when Lemos falls out, that's a kick in the nuts,” Shalom told BoxingScene.

“This is for IBF No. 2 position, one fight away from a world title. Some people worked hard for it for a long time. That was tough. Then we find an unbelievable replacement. I was really excited for that potential fight. Should have been a great fight. And then we get the news that Adam's injured on [last] Saturday. So only a few days away. Tried to get through, tried to look at pain relief options, we were just told it was impossible for him to fight by his doctors and that's it. So the fight's off. Everything happens for a reason. That fight now will be rescheduled.”

Shalom said it could happen in April, and Azim first has Ramadan to adhere to.

“But what an opportunity it gives to the rest of the fighters,” the promoter said of the remainder of Saturday’s bill at the Copper Box in London. “You are left in a position where you hope that your broadcasters and your partners and everyone involved will support [you]. Sometimes you're worried. BBC 2's a massive platform, so I think it shows the commitment of BBC to boxing and also the commitment to women's boxing and the commitment to the whole contingent. There’s some really well-matched fights on this card. There really is. I was thinking about all of these guys, all of these relationships, all of these conversations, all of the trainers, all over Christmas, putting in the work, and then for me to say a week off, ‘We're not fighting,’ I just couldn't do it. So I'm delighted, though, and I see all the media here [at the pre-fight press conference], and I see how much the fighters are delighted to be here, it makes it all worth it. And I really think it will be a great show. And for Gradus and Fran, it presents an unbelievable opportunity.”

It also marks the start of a new relationship for Shalom after Boxxer announced it was linking up with DAZN. It means all three major British promoters, Queensberry, Matchroom and Boxxer, are linked to the same platform.

And DAZN will carry Boxxer shows as well as the BBC, with their shows available on both platforms in the UK.

“No, they can show the fight in the UK,” confirmed Shalom. “Ultimately, the BBC has a very, very different audience, and a big audience. The whole goal is, BBC needs to grow the sport, grow stars, get more people into the sport, get people into boxing. Equally, DAZN’s the home of boxing. It's where all the big fights happen. So if we can combine the global home of boxing with our national broadcaster, that was the goal, that's the vision, that's the focus.

“And we finally got there, and I think it's an absolutely enormous thing, and it will prove to be over time. [It’s a] massive moment for us, because you can take fighters, you can build fighters, but you want to be able to deliver the big hit for your audience as well. It’s a phenomenal vehicle that we’ve managed to put in place, and thank you to the BBC and DAZN for thinking outside the box, being flexible, and thinking for the good of the sport.”
On Saturday, Hennessy, 21, and 24-year-old light-heavyweight Kraus will be charged with pulling in the ‘casual’ fanbase on the BBC.

“They are unique,” Shalom said.

“I haven't quite seen the full package like I have with Gradus before. He's very, very special. I think anyone that works with him, anyone that's in the gym with him – Peter Fury’s been with him since he was young as well – knows what a special talent we have. I genuinely believe he'll go on to be undisputed. I think we're sat on that right now. But the key is, we want an undisputed light heavyweight champion that can sell out arenas. We want an undisputed light heavyweight champion that's known to the UK audiences. We want someone that can do massive viewing figures. And that's what this is all about. BBC2 is huge. I'm delighted to have him. I think it's a massive statement, and I think he's going to give a lot of light heavyweights sleepless nights.”