BOXXER chief Ben Shalom was optimistic when previewing the 2025 calendar, providing updates across various weight divisions with activity and momentum in mind during the Azim-Lipinets media day before their first show this year in Sheffield, headlined by Callum Simpson on Saturday night.
Next steps for Midlands duo, and Riakporhe back from the cold
MUCH has been said about highly-rated light-heavyweight Ben Whittaker after his Riyadh showcase against Liam Cameron unravelled into controversy in October, while Frazer Clarke’s immediate British heavyweight title rematch with Fabio Wardley sharply proved disastrous in a first-round stoppage defeat.
Clarke has already returned to the Loughborough gym this week though his handlers are naturally cautious with next steps after he needed emergency surgery on a broken jaw following the Wardley loss.
Whittaker is expected to headline a Midlands show on an April date TBC, though confusion remains over whether it will be the Cameron rematch as expected.
All being well, Clarke will feature on that card in an eight or ten-round contest against an opponent already been carefully selected, pending final confirmation.
Queensberry put out a statement this afternoon, responding after Wednesday’s media day, where Shalom said Cameron’s manager approached him asking to make an offer and he made two – for it to be on a BOXXER show – in an interview with October Red.
Cameron (23-6-1, 10 KOs) signed with Frank Warren’s stable after his encouraging outing on Saudi shores, having narrowly lost to former IBO world champion Lyndon Arthur four months prior. While the Yorkshireman is eager not to let his moment diminish, the 34-year-old’s been ordered to rematch Arthur in a British title final eliminator with purse bids expiring midweek.
One-time world cruiserweight title challenger Richard Riakporhe (17-1, 13 KOs) was slated to return on December 9 against David Jamieson, though a rib injury in training has accelerated his long-awaited move up a weight division.
He’ll be in the gym alongside Clarke again before long, Shalom suggesting he will emulate Lawrence Okolie’s 2023 campaign after defeat by now-former WBO titleholder Chris Billam-Smith.
He told The Ring: “Riakporhe got a rib injury, we’re picking back up with his team next week. It’s frustrating for all of us but he’ll be back in a division that suits his weight, like we saw with Lawrence Okolie. His next fight will be at bridgerweight, April time.”
Elsewhere, Shalom conceded difficulty in finding suitable fights for welterweight Chris Kongo (17-2, 7 KOs) after a pair of six-round decision victories on Riyadh Season midweek cards to finish 2024, having skilfully outpointed then-unbeaten Florian Marku on the Wardley-Clarke 1 undercard in late March.
“It’s been hard to get Kongo fights, we’re looking at maybe the Tulani Mbenge fight for the IBO world title. He should target that, it’s a great matchup after he beat Michael McKinson, there should be better opportunities after the Marku win, Mbenge makes sense.”
He described Martin Bakole as “his own worst enemy” but said despite the sparring stories and fearsome punching power keeping most promoters away, he’s excited to see the DR Congo star become a world champion. Efe Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs) awaits in an IBF final eliminator for the right to box the Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker winner.
“Thankfully we’ve got sanctioning bodies for a reason and the IBF are militant, he’s just one fight away now. When you look at the industry and how many fighters are running from Martin, it tells you everything you need to know and is the biggest compliment a fighter could have.”
As for Chris Eubank Jr, who has long wanted more activity and remains hopeful that will be the case in 2025, Shalom again said they’re close to providing “the big one people want to see,” though said it has to be complete within the next week, otherwise they’ll pivot to WBA world titleholder Mauricio Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs).
“We’ve outlined terms for the Lara fight so will pull the trigger on that if we don’t know about Conor within the next week. We haven’t got time to waste, but we’re close.”
Picture source: Getty Images
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