The Shift in Professional Boxing
The dynamic world of professional boxing is witnessing a significant shift as top light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi prepares to transition from BOXXER to Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, with the finalization expected this week. Sources familiar with the situation shared the news with Uncrowned.
Background on Buatsi’s Move
Buatsi’s move comes after a tumultuous year where he had previously signed with Ben Shalom’s BOXXER just last year, leaving Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing amid a contentious £7.7 million ($9.5 million) legal battle. Matchroom had accused BOXXER and Sky Sports of persuading Buatsi to breach his contract, a case that ended with a settlement earlier this year.
Contractual Obligations and Recent Performance
As per court documents, his contract with BOXXER included an 18-month agreement that mandated a minimum of four fights, guaranteeing an aggregate purse ranging between £3.25 million ($4.05 million) and £3.75 million ($4.68 million). However, Buatsi’s tenure with BOXXER concluded earlier this February when he lost his WBO interim title to Callum Smith on the undercard of the Bivol vs. Beterbiev 2 fight, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Implications for the Boxing Landscape
This move away from BOXXER is anticipated to mark the beginning of a wave of departures, likely prompted by Sky Sports’ recent decision to not renew its substantial four-year, £36 million ($45.5 million) deal with the promoter. Uncrowned reports that BOXXER has entered discussions with the BBC about potentially broadcasting events on iPlayer, although anticipated terms for such a deal would be far more modest than those with Sky.
Competitive Landscape
In contrast, BOXXER’s primary competitors, Matchroom and Queensberry, have solid partnerships with DAZN, a major streaming platform. Notably, Queensberry also promotes Anthony Yarde, who is set to face David Benavidez for the WBC light heavyweight title in November. Fans have long wished for a matchup between Buatsi and Yarde, a bout that remains unmade despite the public’s enthusiasm for it over the past decade.
