writing – BOXINGWRITER.CO.UK

“I’ve been fucked so many times. I don’t even get upset about it. Boxing is one of the worst businesses in the world.” Eddie Hearn speaking to GQ in 2022.

Perhaps it says more about the writer than the protagonist that news of Conor Benn signing with Zuffa Boxing drew a wry smile. The schadenfreude of it all. Eddie Hearn, the sport’s most lusty chapman, with the film star crop and the double breasted roll neck and white pimp soles, betrayed by the fighter he stood by in his darkest moments.

And to Hearn’s newest nemesis. Dana White. A challenge even to boxing’s loquacious Lex Luthor – and if early interviews are a guide – the disbelief appeared to be winning.

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Article first published at Roundtable Boxing

Australia is rarely the epicentre of the boxing world. It has had its heroes of course, from the relentless Jeff Fenech in the 1980s who tackled the great Azumah Nelson, Bantamweight Lionel Rose in the 1960s – the first indigenous Australian to win a world-title, thundering Jeff Harding and adopted Aussies like Light-Welterweight king Kostya Tsyzu, Vic Darchinyan and the nomadic Joe Bugner. A century or more ago, when fighters boarded ships to travel the world in pursuit of new challengers – to prey on the whimsy of wealthy men willing to back their local contender or opportunists seeking to capitalise on a scrap of land to pitch a ring – Australia had its share of illustrious visitors.

The Boxing Day fight between Jack Johnson, the challenger, and Tommy Burns the Champion, was a long time in the making but does represent one of the few occasions Australia became the centre of the boxing world. Hugh Macintosh promoted a fight which brought together two men with a genuine dislike for each other. A heady brew brought on by contrasting personalities, the colour bar which ran between them like a line in the sawdust in a saloon and Burns’ insistence on a $30,000 purse to step across it. A fee that would usurp any other fee he’d commanded during his reign.

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Article first appeared at Roundtable Boxing

The long shadow cast by Chris Eubank Jnr’s father, the indefinable Chris Eubank Snr., has proven to be a heavy one during his career as a professional fighter. Like so many sons of famous father’s he has been offered opportunities and renumeration beyond the scope of his ability but equally, has had to fight hard to distinguish himself from the collective memory of Senior’s accomplishments.

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First published at BigFightWeekend.com

Inside Dave Allen, he of the self-deprecation and tales of humility, regret and over hand right, lives a capable heavyweight. One of much greater boxing acumen than his lack of preparation invariably exposes to the watching public. Much of his enduring box-office appeal is founded on whimsical charisma, improbable durability and, well, man-child Yorkshireness. An area of England known for its grit, community and truculence.

The son of a professional fighter, Allen has grown up in the shadows of a punch bag. He has seen all that the sport can offer and steal away; the broken promises, the sweat, tears, success, the failures, the damage and the indifference of everything in between.

This weekend a refined, more physically prepared incarnation of Dave Allen the fighter, tackles the man mountain Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Sheffield Arena over 12 rounds. It won’t be the first time the Doncaster born slugger has been presented with an opportunity to catapult himself from the comedy fringes toward more significant opponents, but it may be the first time he’s appropriately prepared.

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