Sqw an interview with Prograis yesterday where he kinda detailed why he went with Matchroom over Top Rank. Matchroom 3 fights, Top Rank 4 fights but Prograis said he thinks he can make more money in 2 or 3 fights with Matchroom than the 4 with Top Rank. He was talking about the minimum guarantee on offer with TR and the likelihood of him just getting the minimum. He was very honest as well about how the plan is to unify in his third fight within 12 months and then after that his worth has increased and his then free to listen to offers from matchroom and others.
This content is protected Hearn also said that Wardley won't fight Clarke next if Clarke is fighting in June. I don't see how that happens though as he can fight Wardley straight after surely ? Boxxer have been wasting fights on Clarke's 10-fight deal to be honest. Armstrong would be the 7th fight of his contract and he hasn't really fought anybody, when Ben Shalom claimed that Clarke would follow the "Joe Joyce" route.
Considering Clarkes amateur pedigree and his age and the promises to go the Joyce route and then seeing his level of opponents I get the impression they don't have any confidence in him.
Theres also the risk factor for Sky. They need him to be a headliner by the time he is 10-0 a loss for him at this stage puts that way back. Boxxer need top level signings and quick. They have a headline waiting in Okolie vs Riakporhe. But if Smith leaves after the Eubank fight they literally have Okolie and Buatsi as their two headlines. One would have fought his biggest two sellable fights to a casual market. The other is refuses to fight anyone with a pulse and will not fight for a title for atleast 18 months. Now apparently wants Yarde but had chance to sign with the promoter promoting Yarde as a free agent and have that fight. Boxxer have literally 6/7 dates to fill and besides Okolie vs Riakporhe and Buatsi vs Aziz. Will be left with York hall showcases and fights in Europe. Sky cant be happy with the output. Boxxer for me need signings and someone infront of the camera that can create a buzz and sell the shows and fighters.
I think I heard / saw Ben Shalom talking about how much he wants that fight but it only happens 'when it's the right time for Fraze'. Which I straight away took to mean that he doesn't want it. The quote above from Clarke suggests he knows it won't happen but he wants to make sure everyone knows that he's not unwilling to fight, but it's promoter/broadcaster issues that are blocking it. Pity, both of them are starting late, think either of them could come back from a defeat, it's not the end of the world in the heavyweights.
Seems like Shalom's been naive, made an ask of the BBBoC and then panicked when it actually came off. Maybe he was being a pain in the arse and they called his bluff, who knows. Maybe he thinks he'll lose the purse bid or not be able to fund it that soon given other commitments.
Bizarrely this Armstrong fella debuted against Okolie, who was also debuting. His physique indicates my mum's been sorting his nutrition since with the Heron sausages diet.
Have Sky / Boxxer really got no confidence in Clarke? He really should be able to wipe out Wardley with ease… Clarke signed a 10 fight deal with Sky / Boxxer I think…if so, I suspect he’s regretting that now as they are calling the shots and he has to do what he’s told. Whittaker is in the same boat, so assume he’ll be fighting nobodies until his 8/9 fight!
Boxxer have promoted Fraser terribly Rubbish opponents and now no backing when it matters Don't be shocked to see him leave once that tenth fight is done