Are we witnessing the demise of Frank Warren Promotions?

George Groves and Ricky Burns have now added their names to the growing list of boxers who have left Frank Warren Promotions over the years.

Amir Khan, Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and Kell Brook are just a few of the names who grew tired of Frank Warren Promotions and moved on to other promoters or to start their own promotional companies.

So why should these latest defectees concern Frank?

Well George Groves immediately signed with rival promotional company Matchroom Boxing, the number of postponements for his “bigger name” fighters, the criticism from the Burns, Bellew and Mitchell camps in recent months, the rumours that he isn’t paying his fighters on time and not to mention his TV channel, BoxNation, doesn’t seem to be the success he was hoping for.

Frank Warren should also be concerned of the growing popularity of Eddie Hearns Matchroom Boxing”. The two have had a bit of back and forth in the press recently and it’s the quote below from Frank Warren that I find most interesting.

“That’s why my fighters get home advantage when they fight, very rarely will I take them on the road unless I really fancy the job or they’re getting fantastically paid.

“What have they (Matchroom) done in the last year – taken four guys abroad and got them all beat,” he added. “What a great track record. There’s a good way to build your business.”

The quote above tells me that Mr Warren is completely out of touch with the average boxing fan. I think the majority of boxing fans applauded the fact that Eddie Hearn took his fighters abroad and took on the tough challenges, giving us fans the sort of fights we want to see.

In Darren Barker and Gavin Rees they went out to America, fought on HBO and took on Martinez and Broner, the best guys in their respective division. But in Frank Warrens eyes, that’s hurting the business. Forget giving the boxing fans what they want.

In my opinion, Barker and Rees earned more respect for taking those fights than someone like Nathan Cleverly has earned in his whole career to date. There’s nothing to be gained from padding out a fighters record against bums.

Oddly enough Warren could be accused of doing the same with Derek Chisora when he put him in against the likes of Fury, Vitali, Helenius and Haye. I didn’t hear Warren coming out and talking “business” then.

I just don’t think Warren can cut it any more as a promoter, I don’t think he knows how to build fighters any more. You only have to look at the success Kell Brook has had since moving on from Warren. He’s selling out arenas in Sheffield, he’s fighting on Sky Sports and he’s got a world title shot.

Instead he’s got fighters leaving him left, right and centre, his fighters aren’t anywhere near active enough, fight after fight being cancelled, fighters not being paid on time and a whole host of other issues that I can’t really touch upon as I don’t have any concrete proof but it’s safe to say that things really aren’t going right for Frank Warren.

Fighters seem to do much better elsewhere and if I was a boxer under Frank Warren Promotions, I’d certainly be considering my future.

So are we, the British boxing public, witnessing the demise of Frank Warren Promotions?

Preview: Brook – Jones

Time for Kell Brook to make a statement.

He’s already proved he’s the best in Britain following his one-sided beat-down of Matthew Hatton and now is his chance to prove himself on the international stage when he takes on America’s Carson Jones tonight.

Jones has a record of 34 wins (24 by KO), 8 losses and 2 draws and is ranked above Brook in the IBF rankings and is sure to present his sternest challenge so far.

Fact is both these two now have the toughest fight of their careers when they face off against one another tonight and a title shot against the winner of Randall Bailey – Devon Alexander awaits the winner. It’s time for both of these fighters to show whether they are ready to mix with the title holders.

The build up between the two has been pretty fiery, with the two clashing at the weigh in yesterday. Hopefully that means we’ll see an exciting fight.

Brook is definitely the better boxer and the more rounded fighter and I fully expect him to come through and win this. Brook cannot contemplate a loss here as it will set him back a fair way; especially after all the good work (in the ring and promotional wise) he’s done since hooking up with Eddie Hearn at Matchroom Boxing.

I’m still unsure of how Brook is going to win though. He’s come out and said he’s going to be aiming right for Jones head and looking to take him out but we haven’t really seen how Brook’s power stands up against the better fighters with Hatton and Ndou taking him the distance.

I don’t think Brook will have the power to keep Jones off him and can see Brook taking the decision win.

As I said, it’s time for Brook to make a statement tonight.

See below for the Brook – Jones weigh in:

Froch – Bute build up

Here are a few videos to get fans in the mood for Carl “The Cobra” Froch’s fight against IBF champion Lucian Bute.

The fight takes place Saturday May 26th at Nottingham’s Capital Arena for Lucian Bute’s IBF super-middleweight title.

When Worlds Collide: Froch v Bute:

Carl Froch: Behind The Ropes:

Lucian Bute: Behind The Ropes:

Froch on the fight:

Froch on rematch clause:

Bute on the fight:

Press conference:

Head to head:

Promo video:

More video’s will be added as they become available.

Brook set for Jones test

Kell Brook will face off against Carson Jones at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena on July 7 in an IBF title eliminator.

Jones, ranked 3rd by the IBF, is 25 and his record currently stands at 34 wins (24 via KO), 8 losses (2 via KO) and 2 draws.The winner will face off against the IBF champion, which will be decided when Mike Jones faces Randall Bailey on June 9th.

The fight is a step in the right direction because a win here will give Brook the title shot he craves.

His opponent might not be the big-name we were all hoping for but it will be extremely difficult for Brook to get a big name to come and fight in Sheffield, until he holds a title. He has no bargaining chip right now.

Having said that, it’s a good test for Brook and I do expect him to come through this with no problems, possibly winning via stoppage. That should then spring board Brook to a title fight, which will probably take place in America and allow Brook to gain more exposure which will only enhance his career prospects.

Brook’s showdown with Jones headlines a great night for British boxing, dubbed “Edge of Glory”, with Gavin Rees and Derry Matthews meeting once more with Rees European title and Matthews British title both on the line. Kerry Hope will also defend his European title against the man he defeated for it on the Brook-Hatton undercard, Greg Proksa.

Feel free to leave your predictions and thoughts.