Lift-Off For Queensberry-DAZN

Saturday evening in Manchester represents a landmark occasion for us here at Queensberry when we officially set the ball rolling on our new broadcast partnership with DAZN.

I personally have pretty much done the rounds when it comes to TV networks and have established boxing from scratch on most of them. I must say that I have never previously been as enthused by an alliance as I am with this one.

The principal attractions from my point of view are boxing being the primary focus for DAZN - certainly in the UK and USA - and the conviction they have in the present and future of the sport. Then there is the fact that with multiple promoters operating from the platform, it makes it a kind of one-stop-shop for boxing fans, which is important. Dedicated fans have had to shell out a lot of money over the years across a number of platforms to keep up with the sport and now most of it will be in one place.

Also, there is the global perspective. Our fighters will be showcased in every territory and we will not be tasked with negotiating numerous international deals for every major show. We will also take the opportunity to go international with our product and expand the reach of Queensberry.

So we get started at the superb Co-op Live Arena with a headline heavyweight offering with two fights that could end up being something special.

I feel that Joe Joyce against Filip Hrgovic just works as a fight. They will simply be looking to overpower each other with big bombs and a relentless workrate. They are two pretty strong ingredients towards an entertaining spectacle.

There is a lot at stake. The winner can crack on straight into another big, lucrative  fight, while the prospects of the loser might be damaged beyond repair. In saying that, these heavyweights always seem just one half-decent win away from being back in the mix, so you never know.

I think we can expect fireworks in the chief support between David Adeleye and Jeamie TKV. The pair cranked up the hostilities at the press conference, questioning each other’s desire to be in the opposite corner, so I would imagine there will be no quarter given when the first bell goes.

I must say, I am not a fan of too many over-the-top theatrics at media events. There is no need for it, even though I know it does ratchet up interest amongst the wider public.

What this fight boils down to is the chance for David to win the British title so he can then work himself up into a higher bracket in the heavyweight division. That is what it is all about for us. We want David to develop himself into a genuine contender.

Sticking with the heavyweight theme, we’ve got the professional debut of the Olympian Delicious Orie, which is something I am looking forward to seeing.

I’ve been very impressed with what I have seen and heard of Delicious, he is a good character, talks well and his track record suggests he will be a top fighter. I am also delighted that he has become an ambassador for BoxWise and is committed to becoming involved in the project.

Outside of the heavies, look out for the Commonwealth title scrap at super lightweight between the unbeaten pair of Jack Rafferty and Cory O’Regan. Jack, I believe, can become a big player in the division and there are some great fights for him if he can come through this one. Not least a potential scrap with Mark Chamberlain, who also features on this card. There is also the likes of Pierce O’Leary, Dalton Smith and Adam Azim also thriving at the weight.

Corey, who is very highly regarded by Matthew Macklin, is coming up in weight for this opportunity and if he takes his chance to shine, he can prosper, perhaps back at lightweight.

Also, keep an eye out for a cracking 10-round ding-dong between Khaleel Majid and Alex Murphy, two unbeaten super lightweights from Bolton and Salford respectively.

Apart from Delicious, we’ve got two other young fighters making their professional debuts in super middleweight Ramtin Musah and bantamweight Louis Szeto. Both come from a strong amateur background and carry high expectations in the pros.

Good luck and best wishes to all three debut-makers.

A thrilling night is in prospect, so make sure you catch all the action on DAZN, with the preliminaries starting at 4.10pm and the main card commencing at 7pm.