In the last 2 years Warren’s fighters have been involved in every title fight, every final eliminator, and all but one interim title fight. When his man doesn’t win, the new guy seems to have two options: (1) sign with Warren, or (2) get manoeuvred out of their shot with the help of Saudi money: * denotes a Frank Warren fighter WBC Fury* v Whyte Fury* v Chisora Fury* v Ngannou WBA Usyk v Dubois* Usyk v Fury* Usyk v Fury* IBF Dubois* v Hrgovic (belt dropped to the winner, Dubois) Dubois* v Joshua Dubois* v Parker (cancelled) WBO interim Joyce * v Parker Joyce* v Zhang* Zhang* v Joyce* Zhang* v Parker Parker v Dubois* (cancelled) Parker v Bakole (a non-Warren fight! Parker the winner has been sidelined) WBC interim Kabayel v Zhang* (Kabayel the winner has been sidelined) IBF final eliminator Bakole v Ajagba (#3 v #4 – postponed, Ajagba has been sidelined) Chisora* v Wallin (#9 v #12 – Chisora is now IBF mandatory lol) Next up? Usyk v Dubois* Funny that…
Top level boxing has always been a bit of a monopoly so I don't think its too much surprise. Riyadh Season has strong ties with both Hearn and Warren paves the way for both promoters to market themselves well.
Most definitely, but it appears to be somewhat of a closed shop. Boxing fans didn't seem to like it very much (myself included) when PBC had great influence over the WBC and who would get a title shot at Wilder. That was just one title. Warren through influence (British media are always in step with his desires), and Saudi backing, really has established a monopoly over who gets to do what and when in the marquee division the last few years. Boxing fans just seem to be accepting it (though maybe not through choice) Kind of feels like the Dana White UFC model (in that one man has so much influence) but with less the best fighting the best, and more the best for Warren's pockets fighting the best for Warren's pockets whilst we are being gas lit by the media that it is in fact the former. Is this just going to be a case of better the devil you know for fans not wanting a UFC style format to invade boxing?
