Hall of fame promoter Frank Warren will celebrate 40 years in professional boxing by staging two big domestic battles in the heart of Central London.
Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce (November 28) and Anthony Yarde vs Lyndon Arthur (December 5) will now take place at Church House, in view of the world famous Westminster Abbey.
Church House was founded in 1887 and built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The current building was designed by the renowned architect Sir Herbert Baker and the foundation stone was laid by Her Majesty Queen Mary on June 26, 1937. It took until 1940 to complete and was officially opened by His Majesty King George VI on June 10, 1940.
The building suffered a direct hit in the early part of WWII but due to its exceptional construction only minimal damage was done. The Prime Minister of the day, Winston Churchill, was so impressed that the building was refurbished for use by the two Houses of Parliament for the remainder of the war.
Frank Warren said: “I’m delighted to be able to confirm such a spectacular venue to host two weeks of fantastic big time boxing. It’ll be a more than fitting way to celebrate my 40 years in professional boxing.
“Both these bouts are going to be battles for the history books, so it makes sense they’d take place in a venue so rich in history.
“Winston Churchill announced the sinking of the Bismarck inside this venue, and soon we’ll know who out of Dubois, Joyce, Yarde and Arthur will sink or swim.”