Do or die: Queensberry Promotions’ Magnificent Seven

“It’s an early Christmas present for everybody in boxing,” declared Frank Warren, of the December 7 promotion led by the appealing middleweight contest between Denzel Bentley and Brad Pauls.

It was regardless tempting to conclude that he will use that same line weeks later, when his leading fighter Tyson Fury fights Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the second time.

On the same Queensberry promotion at Wembley Arena, Lawrence Okolie fights Hussein Muhamed, Sam Noakes fights Ryan Walsh, and David Adeleye fights Solomon Dacres. If it resembles the nature of promotion built by Warren during the era of Boxnation, it also represents the most appealing one he has solely overseen in the UK in 2024.

Queensberry announced earlier in November that in 2025 they will change broadcasters to DAZN from TNT Sports. But to revisit 10 months before that announcement, when Hamzah Sheeraz stopped Liam Williams and Joshua Buatsi was ringside to watch Anthony Yarde stop X ahead of the proposed contest between them that is still to take place, Queensberry similarly appeared to be building towards something – a reflection of the extent to which the wider British fight scene has suffered through neglect. 

Like Queensberry, Matchroom have in recent months had bigger priorities than British boxing. Boxxer, similarly, have attempted to prioritise the eye-watering money available in Saudi Arabia – as a consequence there have been times the domestic fight scene has felt like it has almost ground to a halt.

The December 7 promotion – incidentally a week after Matchroom oversee Galal Yafai-Sunny Edwards in Birmingham – also has all of the hallmarks of one Warren is using to build a platform for, particularly, Bentley and Noakes to be matched at a higher level. Pauls and Walsh represent appealing opposition; victory can deliver for Bentley and Noakes the nature of opportunity to, much like Britain’s leading promoters, almost leave domestic level behind. 

“It’s been a minute since I’ve been in this position – the challenger,” said the 29-year-old Bentley. “I respect him as a champion and a fighter. But I’m in here to move forward with my career and I’ve got to get through Brad Pauls to do so. He done what he needed to do [against Nathan Heaney]. Losing to Heaney I created a whole mess in the division, and this is my chance to clear it up.”

“I’ve earned my right to be here,” said Pauls, 31. “It’s definitely my toughest fight. I know that from sparring him. Denzel hits hard. I hit hard. It’s going to be a really exciting fight. I’m going to have to be better than I was in my last fight to win.”

Fabio Wardley is one who with victory over Frazer Clarke almost guaranteed that in the coming 12 months his career will be accelerated. Adeleye’s has stalled since his defeat by Wardley; against Dacres he, not unlike Okolie on the occasion of Okolie’s move to heavyweight, fights to ensure that he is not left behind.

“Whoever wins this is going to go on to the next level,” said Warren. “Fabio; Moses [Itauma]. Lawrence is on the scene. These two guys are in a lively division, where you can go and make some serious money by delivering.

“Next year’s a big, big year for us. Queensberry – all of the fighters – they’re going to get some big opportunities to show what they’re about.”

Most arresting from the top table was the look later exchanged by the two lightweights. It was the look shared by two fighters considerably more invested by what happens inside of the ring than outside of it; a look of mutual respect done for their own purposes without a hint of hostility or seeking attention or attempting the pointless act of intimidation; of anticipating a test of their physicality and desire, and recognition of the violence expected to come.

“I’ve always felt boxing owes me something,” Walsh had already said. “December 7 – if that can’t excite me, nothing can. That’s a really nice early Christmas present. This isn’t new to me. But it does excite me, just like it did before. This is beautiful brutality. You can die. If you don’t sign up to die, you’re in the wrong sport.”

“He’s not got quit in him,” Noakes responded. “He ain’t ever been stopped. He’s got a lot of fight left in him. It’s a good learning fight for me. If I’m trying to get on the world stage, a good win against Ryan Walsh will get me there.”

“I’d be surprised if it’s not [the fight of the night],” finished Walsh, by when the look they exchanged had already started. 

“Yeah, and me,” said Noakes, aware of what he will have to give to prevent Walsh from disrupting his career. 

“And me.”