RIVAL boxing promoters on both sides of the Atlantic have for generations been at each others’ throats — mainly because of their massive egos.
And contract allegiances have meant boxers and their fans have suffered, because the best fighting the best has always been a rarity.
The bitter feuds between Jack Solomons and Harry Levene in this country and Don King and Bob Arum in America that festered for forty years are legendary.
Though Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn had never even spoken to each other, their fierce unrelenting rivalry in recent years has bordered on the toxic and appeared irrefutable.
I thought there was more chance of Prince Harry and Prince William pulling crackers together this Christmas than Europe’s top two promoters agreeing a business deal.
But, to general amazement among fight folk, they met amicably for the first time sixteen days ago at a joint press conference.
They were laughing and joking before announcing they will be working together to stage a fistic festive feast in Saudi Arabia on December 23.
Headlining an outstanding show in Riyadh are three explosive heavyweight clashes – Anthony Joshua against Otto Wallin, Deontay Wilder facing Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois taking on Jarrell Miller.
They can be seen on DAZN, PPV for £19.99.
Warren and Hearn should be commended for allowing common sense to prevail – any future pooling of their resources can only benefit British boxing.
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Saudi sheikhs are ploughing untold millions into boxing and Warren – ever the pragmatist – pinpointed the reason for his surprise relationship with Hearn.
Frank said: “At the end of the day, money makes fights and that’s what’s making this happen.
“Everybody is getting what they want and it’s been fantastic – the time is right to throw off the shackles.
“My company Queensberry’s finest against the best of Eddie’s Matchroom team.
“What I’m proposing is to break down the borders and give the fans the fights they want to see.
This could be a turning point for British boxing and the doors are now open for future business.
Eddie Hearn
“This is the time to turbo-charge boxing right back into the mainstream and capture the imagination of the watching public.”
Hearn, echoing Warren’s sentiments, said: “I told Frank we should forget the past rubbish – this is a big opportunity for boxing and our fighters so let’s not muck this up.
“This could be a turning point for British boxing and the doors are now open for future business.”
Warren and Hearn sound committed to blowing a powerful wind of change through the sport which makes good sense and is more than welcome.
The competition between them in recent years has always been intense but nothing can be compared to the hatred I came across dealing with Solomons and Levene a lifetime ago.
When I called Levene in December 1971 to tell him the news that Solomons had died, I asked him if he would like to say something.
After a few seconds silence, Harry said “My next show is at Wembley on March 24″… followed by a click as he put the phone down.
