BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom and Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn cast their lengthy feud aside on Saturday night when Shalom showed up at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham to witness Tyler Denny’s victory over former British and Commonwealth middleweight champion Felix Cash, and now Shalom has revealed exactly how his first ever meeting with Hearn went.
Shortly after Hearn parted ways with Sky Sports in 2021, they announced their new partnership with promotional outfit BOXXER, with new face on the scene Shalom flying the flag.
It has been well documented that Hearn and Shalom haven’t been the best of friends in their nearly three years as rival promoters. However, on Saturday, Shalom was live on DAZN, supporting Tyler Denny, and shaking hands with Hearn.
Ben Shalom spoke highly of Hearn and Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith following the final bell, admitting that they had taken care of him upon his trip to Birmingham.
“I’ve tried to keep a lid on it [Denny victory celebration]. It was a special win for Tyler to come and do this, I have to say. It’s been a good experience. Frank [Smith] and Eddie [Hearn] have looked after us tonight and I’ve enjoyed it. It was a great atmosphere tonight.
I thought the Conah Walker-Lewis Crocker fight was unbelieveable. I managed to catch about eight rounds of that. It was a great fight. Obviously, a great night for Tyler and, as I say, I’m trying to be a good winner and stay calm. I’m over the moon for Tyler.”
Although Denny is not officially signed with BOXXER, they and Shalom have hugely supported his career, staging the last five of his impressive victories, prior to Matchroom Boxing hosting his homecoming as the main event.
Cash was expected by many to make it look easy against Denny, coming into the fight having had an impressive career to date, an undefeated record, but eighteen months worth of inactivity to contend with.
In the end it was a clash of heads that caused the fight to come to a halt, which sent it to the scorecards at the end of the fifth round, on which Denny claimed victory by technical decision.
The coming together of Hearn and Shalom for this European title showdown may well open the door for a Matchroom vs. BOXXER show, in similar style to the recent 5 vs. 5 between Matchroom and Queensberry Promotions.
Arguably one of the most entertaining boxing cards in recent history, with the blossoming relationship between Hearn and Frank Warren adding to the sweet taste that the involvement of Turki Alalshikh is leaving in the mouth of boxing fans.
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