Frank Warren reveals Queensberry v Matchroom 5v5 rematch plans have been shelved

Queensberry and Matchroom had been expected to run back their 5v5 card later this summer but Frank Warren has now revealed those plans have been put on ice with a new bumper boxing bill set to be announced in its place.

The two colossal British boxing promotional organisations had previously agreed to stage a second instalment of the unique head-to-head in August, offering Eddie Hearn an opportunity to avenge his crushing 10-0 whitewash 12 months ago.

However, the Matchroom supremo will now have to bide his time as he seeks redemption after watching all five of his fighters succumb to defeat in Riyadh last June.

The Ring Magazine reported in March that both promoters had gone as far as to submit their draft list of fighters, with a huge domestic showdown between light-heavyweight contenders Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde one of the fights expected to make the cut.

But plans for the blockbuster event have now been halted, with Warren revealing to The Ring Magazine that a replacement card will shortly be announced instead.

There’s no 5v5 in August. There will be a show then but it won’t be the 5v5 as had previously been discussed.

- Frank Warren (The Ring Magazine)

"I don’t know what will be on that card yet, but there’s no 5v5 on there."

It's believed that fresh opportunities for a number of fighters set to have featured on the bill are behind the decision to move back the date of the 5v5, with Smith and Yarde - both fresh from significant victories - being eyed up by Mexican light-heavyweight monster David Benavidez.

The WBA 175lbs title-holder has long sought a showdown with undisputed king Dmitry Bivol, but with the Kyrgyzstani expected to undertake a trilogy bout with Artur Beterbiev later this year, he is now likely to make a first defence of his title against one of the two British contenders.

New Zealander Joseph Parker was another name rumoured to have been in the provisional plans, but the former heavyweight champion's loftily position with the WBO means a crack at the winner of Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois 2 should be forthcoming.

Last year's maiden 5v5 proved a major success, especially for Queensberry, who romped to victory in Riyadh.

Led by captain Hamzah Sheeraz, Warren's stable reigned supreme over their Matchroom counterparts, with Willy Hutchinson, Nick Ball, Zhile Zhang and Daniel Dubois all adding to Sheeraz's victory to secure Queensberry a landslide success.

Mark Mothershaw

• Matchroom
• Queensberry
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