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Eddie Hearn set to strike major blow to Warrington v Frampton pay-per-view


Eddie Hearn looks set to throw a spanner in the works for Carl Frampton.

The Matchroom boss isn’t worried about putting a Dillian Whyte v Derek Chisora rematch on the same night as Frampton’s challenge of IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington and has revealed that this is his intended plan.

Hearn is close to confirming the heavyweight clash, a repeat of their enthralling 2016 encounter, for December 22nd at the O2 in London – which is the same date that has been reported as being “99%” sure to be Warrington v Frampton at the Manchester Arena.

That would mean an unprecedented situation of Matchroom going head-to-head with Queensbury Promotions and Sky Sports and BT Sport going head-to-head with pay-per-view cards.

“That fight looks good for December 22nd at the O2, that’s what we’re trying to do and hopefully we can get it over the line,” he explained with regard to Whyte-Chisora II when speaking to IFL.

“In December, there are only two venues you can do that fight. One is Manchester and one is the O2. In Manchester they didn’t have any dates, at the O2 they had December 22nd.”

“So – if we are doing on the same night as Warrington-Frampton, we got to run our own business.”

Warrington and Frampton were both previously promoted by Hearn and Matchroom – with Frampton leaving in 2013 to be promoted solely by Cyclone before moving to Queensberry while Warrington jumped ship at the end of 2016.

Warrington’s first two bouts under Queensberry last year clashed with Matchroom bills, while Frampton’s fight with Nonito Donaire in April also coincided with the comeback fight of Amir Khan.

Hearn, who recently added featherweight contender Jono Carroll to Katie Taylor and Ryan Burnett as current Irish fighters on his books, isn’t worried about going up against BT and a fight Frank Warren believes is the biggest and best domestic match that can be made at present.

The Matchroom boss is adamant the IBF world title fight between two of the biggest ticket sellers in boxing won’t detract from any potential SKY PPV audience.

“Will Warrington Frampton effect the pay-per-view of Chisora against Whyte? No!”

“So, I don’t have to make a decision based on that pay-per-view. I know I’ve got to deliver that fight in December and the only date I can deliver it is December 22nd.”

Hearn was also keen to point out that the move has nothing to do with trying to stop BT stealing a march on the broadcaster he works with, rather explains it’s the only available date for a fight wants to do in December.

“Nothing has been announced yet – but it doesn’t matter. If it [Whyte-Chisora II] is announced, then it’s nothing against Frampton, Warrington, or even Frank Warren, that is the only date we can go.”

“By the way, if we where up against Fury-Wilder we wouldn’t go the 22nd but [Warrington v Frampton] isn’t going to affect our pay-per-views.”

A clash, of course, would be unenviable for all parties, especially boxing fans, despite Hearn’s claims.

However, with Sky Box Office being a more established platform and Chisora and Whyte being rematching heavyweights who share a ‘beef’, such a clash would certainly be extremely damaging to a Warrington v Frampton pay-per-view.

Warrington v Frampton remains unannounced – although common promoter Warren has claimed “it is on” and promised it will take place before the end of the year.

The December 22nd date which has been widely reported – and makes all logical sense – has yet to be even commented on by any of the parties involved in the fight and, especially considering Hearn’s plans, a new date may be sought.

A press conference for the fight was mooted for this week or next but details remain forthcoming.

Watch Eddie Hearn’s interview with IFL TV in full below:

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