Promoter Warren and broadcast partner BT Sport are preparing for the first boxing show in the UK on Friday night since March 7
Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions has announced five boxing shows behind closed doors from BT Sport’s studios in East London which will include the return of rising heavyweight prospects Joe Joyce and Daniel Dubois headlining separate events.
Promoter Warren and broadcast partner BT Sport are preparing for the first boxing show in the UK on Friday night since March 7 when the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic took its grip on all sporting fixtures.
Friday night’s headline contest sees British and Commonwealth super-bantamweight champion Brad Foster defend his titles against unbeaten James Beech Jr, with further events all behind closed doors on July 25, July 31, August 20 and August 29.
Warren explained: “I’m delighted to be able to give fans more clarity as to what they can expect from the huge summer of boxing on BT Sport. Everyone at Queensberry and BT have worked hard to get these shows up and running and I believe this schedule is second-to-none in the boxing world right now.”
He added: “Daniel and Joe returning is obviously huge, headline news and scheduling these fights reflect our growing confidence that Daniel and Joe will be able to finally square off on October 24. I spoke to both teams and they both said that as it looks like we’re going to finally do this in October, they’d like tune-up fights first. Thankfully, BT liked the idea and here we are.”
Dubois meets Russian-born two-time Olympian Erik Pfeifer (7-0, 5KO’s) on August 29, with the Londoner’s WBO international heavyweight title on the line. Joyce, meanwhile, takes on German heavyweight Michael Wallisch (20-3, 13KO’s) in a 10-round contest on July 25.
Warren continued: “Daniel hasn’t boxed since December and Joe will have been out for over a year. These fights will sharpen them up and I’m sure they will deliver knockout performances that will get fans even more excited for October. For Erik and Michael it’s a chance to cause huge upsets. As the rest of the country gets back to work, so does British boxing and I’m delighted that it’s Queensberry Promotions leading the charge with great fights up and down these cards. It’s a fantastic opportunity for all these talents to step up and make a mark. The eyes of the world are on boxing as it comes out of lockdown and my challenge to all of these fighters is to take these huge opportunities to showcase themselves.”