Frank Warren rules out PPV agreement with Eddie Hearn
Frank Warren has angrily dismissed the idea of co-operating with Eddie Hearn to ensure the two pay-per-view cards in Britain on December 22nd do not see their respect headline fights clash.
Josh Warrington defends his IBF featherweight title against Belfast’s Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena in the inaugural domestic BT Sport Box Office event while the heavyweight grudge rematch between Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte will run at the same time on Sky Sports Box Office at the O2 Arena in London.
Earlier this month, Matchroom boss Hearn had noted the difference in event curfews across London and Manchester and how this would lend itself to staggered start times.
Hearn, who had received much criticism for electing to match Whyte and Chisora on the same night as the already-announced Warrington-Frampton bill, had said that “the O2 generally has a much earlier curfew than Manchester so perhaps we go at 10:15, 10:30, and they go at 11:15, 11:30pm.”
READ: Eddie Hearn open to PPV time agreement
Of course, this scenario would still mean that viewing fans would have to buy two separate pay-per-view cards on the same night, a far from perfect scenario.
Some may have chosen to do this – and pubs and clubs, especially, would be able to facilitate the screening of both cards but Warren isn’t planning to make an agreement.
While curfews and undercards may still ensure a staggered start time, no definitive deal will be in play meaning a potential clash of the main events.
Speaking to Boxing Social, Warren said “wouldn’t it have been more sensible to have staggered dates? Who cares about whether one fights on and one’s on an hour after?”
“No, we’re not, our show’s on, that’s it, we’re not playing to anybody’s fiddle, we’re on.”
“I’ve no interest in that, the only staggered thing there should have been was another date,” continued the veteran Hall of Famer before claiming that, if the roles were reversed, he would not go up against Hearn.
“I’ve got to tell you something, if he had announced for the 22nd of December I would not be putting my two guys on that night, it just would not have happened.”
“I would not allow it happen because it’s disrespectful to their earning capacity, I would not have done it.”
“All bullshit about staggering hours so fans can watch it – if he had any respect for the fans it wouldn’t be on the same night, end of story.”
Watch Frank Warren’s interview with Boxing Social in full below:
