The row between the British Boxing Board of Control and Olympic bronze medalist Abner Teixeira is over, for now, as the Brazilian heavyweight will make his professional debut in a four-round bout in his native Brazil.
Teixeira, 29, will face his countryman Raiuga Eugenio De Souza on April 4 in a special attraction on the Boxing Pro Combat 2 event, headlined by Robson Conceição vs. Helber Rojas.
This brings an end to the controversy that had dominated headlines surrounding the MF Pro Chisora-Wilder event. Teixeira was originally scheduled to make his debut in a six-round bout on that card. Those plans were scrapped, according to Team Teixeira, when the British Boxing Board of Control refused to sanction it because Teixeira is not British.
“It’s a real shame this has happened the way it has, because it was a massive opportunity for Abner to introduce himself to British fans,” Teixeira’s manager Sal Jobe told talkSPORT.
The British Boxing Board of Control denied it blocked Teixeira’s professional debut, instead stating that preventing non-British fighters from making their debut in the United Kingdom is “a rule, it’s a policy.”
In a statement to BoxingScene, BBBoC’s Robert Smith said, “Every case is taken on its own merit. We have requested further information from his team, but we have not received that information. If we do receive it, we will consider his application.”
Sources told Boxing Social that Teixeira’s team sent everything requested of them “and more.”
While baffled by Smith’s public statements to the contrary, Team Teixeira ultimately decided to move on and focus on delivering a successful professional debut in Brazil.
In an exclusive statement to Boxing Social, Teixeira representative Cassius Keita said: “He’s one of the most professional and dedicated athletes I’ve worked with. You see it every day in how he trains and how seriously he takes this. He’s been looking excellent in sparring, and we’ve done everything the right way behind the scenes. Nothing has been rushed.
“We’re extremely excited for the world to see what Abner has been building over the last year.”
“I truly believe he’s one of the most talented heavyweights out there right now.”
He continued: “Elusive, technically sharp, and athletically gifted. He takes real pride in representing Brazil and is stepping forward as one of the faces of Brazilian boxing at the highest level. April 4 is where it all starts, the road to the world heavyweight title.”
Teixeira still plans to fight in the UK in 2026.
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