Eddie Hearn and Ben Shalom were the talk of the town as their heated exchange took over the stage ahead of Anthony Joshua’s clash with Daniel Dubois at Wembley. Boxing promotion titans Hearn from Matchroom and Shalom from Boxxer were caught in a verbal tussle during the pre-fight scrimmages at the Guildhall in London, with Hearn jokingly threatening to “knock him out”.

The world of boxing thrives on the rivalry between promoters, each boasting that their stable is the best. Interestingly, Eddie Hearn seems to have softened his stance on Queensberry’s Frank Warren recently, with footage of the pair sharing amiable moments ahead of AJ’s IBF heavyweight title fight. However, the same cannot be said for Hearn’s relationship with Shalom.

The burning question remains: What sparked this fiery exchange and what is the relationship between Matchroom and Boxxer? Express Sport takes a deep dive into the fiery exchange that led to the explosive remarks and explores the ongoing tensions…

Shalom says Hearn reluctant to work with Boxxer

Earlier this year, Shalom expressed the difficulties of working with Hearn, while also suggesting that his Boxxer promotion could thwart Matchroom in securing major fights. In a candid interview with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, Shalom said: “Ultimately, I get it. We’re like a juvenile, annoying little shit who broke into the industry and is doing well, is the champion of a large stable and probably has some future stars in the sport, especially in this country.”

He continued: “I wish they would approach it differently and not see it the way they do, and I would love to be able to work with them in the future – they’re probably the only promoters that are challenging for us to work with. But I get it. It’s the industry that they’ve been in and around for decades, and in any world, in any industry, you expect the same thing.”

“If I were to start a computer company to compete with Apple, I’m sure they would be met with the same disdain at first, so I understand that and that’s something we have to persevere. You have to have chunky skin in this game and that’s what this is, and we’re going to keep growing and focusing on what we’re doing.”

However, Hearn, 45, was quick to respond, suggesting that Shalom often portrays himself as a victim and shows no interest in working with rival organisations. Hearn also accused Shalom of pulling Frazer Clarke out of a scheduled fight with Fabio Wardley last year, saying: “You can say we’re the victim of the game, they don’t want to work with us, but that’s absolute rubbish. When the order was given for the Fabio Wardley v Frazer Clarke fight, they pulled out.”

Hearn listed several instances where the Shalom promotion allegedly pulled out of fights, including Adam Azim vs. Dalton Smith, Jai Opetaia vs. Richard Riakporhe and Caroline Dubois vs. Beatriz Ferreira. Hearn also highlighted the benefits of the Matchroom and Queensberry partnership, citing the invigorating fights that have come out of their partnership.

Warren assesses Shalom fighters

In a separate interview with IFL TV, Hearn and promoter Queensberry Warren were asked if they would consider a five-on-five show with Shalom and BOXERR. Warren responded with a witty remark, questioning whether Shalom even had five fighters worthy of participating in such an event: “Does he have five fighters who deserve to be in a five-on-five?” before Hearn interjected: “I’m not interested in a five-on-five because he won’t let them in.”

Warren said: “He keeps taking them out of the auction,” before Hearn, choosing his words carefully, added: “When you interview me and him, it’s a bit like a great boxer going pound-for-pound with a Hungarian journeyman, you know what I mean?”

“It’s not fair. So you have to stop doing this, but when I threw Dalton Smith and Adam Azim at him, he wouldn’t even agree to that fight. He wouldn’t agree to Beatrice Ferreira and Caroline Dubois, he wouldn’t agree to [Chris] Billam Smith v [Jai] Opetaia, they just want to get around it. What kind of fights can we have?”

Hearn went on to contrast his promotional style with Warren’s, declaring “you should see the line-ups we’re talking about” at the Matchroom and Queensberry meetings and emphasising their willingness to take risks: “We want to roll the dice for our guys. We’re not afraid of our commentator losing a fighter or beating a fighter. We just want to give the fans the best fights.”

Shalom Won’t Commit to Collaborating with Dalton Smith and Adam Azim

In another discussion recorded by IFL TV, when both Hearn and Shalom were faced with a question regarding the Boxxer and Matchroom five-on-five event, Hearn addressed Shalom directly, challenging the Boxxer promoter: “You only shake hands when you’re actually going to make the fight.”

To which Shalom replied, “We’ll do a five-on-five Matchroom Boxing fight next year,” before pressing Hearn on potential pairings. In a heated exchange, Hearn suggested, “Dalton Smith vs. Adam Azim,” but Shalom interjected, “Next year, yeah.”

An irritated Hearn asked why next year, making it clear he wanted the fight in December. Despite Shalom mentioning Azim’s upcoming fight with Ohara Davies next month, Hearn was adamant they booked him the fight with Smith later. He insisted: “We’re shaking hands now. Adam Azim – after the Ohara Davies fight – will stop avoiding Dalton Smith and will fight him next time. Come on, son…” and stuck out his hand to confirm. Shalom hesitated, saying: “I need to speak to his manager,” just as Hearn jokingly said: “See you later” and withdrew from the discussion.

Hearn issues knockout warning to Shalom

The tension between Shalom and Hearn boiled over in the lead-up to Joshua’s IBF title fight with Dubois, with viral video capturing Hearn and Shalom verbally sparring on the Guildhall stage as Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson faced off.

Shalom told IFL TV about the confrontation: “He said he was going to knock me out. I thought he wasn’t nervous? I joked, ‘I didn’t realize it was your fight,’ during the Joshua Buatsi confrontation. It was literally a joke. But yeah, he wasn’t too cheerful… For a guy who’s almost 50 to threaten to knock me out was compelling.”

Hearn dismissed the tense exchange as a joke, telling Boxing Social: “I think it was a joke. He just came up and said, ‘What are you doing in that picture?’ and I said, ‘I’m going to knock you out’ – something like that. I felt bad because he just froze like a ghost and now he’s giving interviews where he says he’s been threatened.”

“Of course it comes from another world. I think he’s very excited, he’s learning the game and I wish him all the best, but I think he said he was joking with his comments, and so was I.” He added: “I’ve said before that I have no problem working with those guys – I just said that when he’s really ready to fight, maybe we can fight.”

Hearn’s “lost and found” joke

In a hilarious twist, while talking to That Prize Guy, Hearn interrupted the interview to pretend to take a phone call, joking: “Hi. Yeah, is this the Guildhall? Yeah, you had a press conference last night… is it lost and found? Yeah, you didn’t find Ben Shalom’s arse floating around the Guildhall? Yeah, if you do, could you let me know? Cheers, thanks.”

Hearn accuses Shalom of demanding interviews be deleted

Hearn was asked by IFL TV about his recent controversial comments to Shalom, and when asked to clarify, he turned the tables and challenged the station first. He asked, “Before I answer the question, I’m going to ask you a question. Has Ben Shalom contacted you to delete video interviews with you and anyone else this week?”

The interviewer, hesitant to reveal details, said: “I don’t know, I’m not going to comment on that,” but the unyielding Hearn pressed: “If you can answer the question, I’ll answer your question.” The interviewer insisted he “really” didn’t know, before the promoter pressed: “The answer is yes, 100 percent categorically.”

“So I don’t remember what was said on stage. I have no idea. Unfortunately, since you can’t confirm what everyone knows – that Ben Shalom asks the IFL to regularly delete interviews – I don’t know why I would interview you.”

“If you’re not going to be a proper medium and tell him, ‘No, when are we going to do this interview…’ Because your boss will confirm that in 16 years I’ve never asked for an interview to be withdrawn. And yet this guy does it over and over and over and over again – and nobody knows about it.”

Continuing on the subject, Hearn exclaimed: “So now I’m telling the British public that this guy – after almost every interview – calls you and tells you to take it down. So when you want to talk about the truth, we’ll drop some stern fucking truth bombs if we have to. Thank you, next question.”

Warren Asks: “Who” Is Shalom?

Warren was completely bewildered when asked about Shalom’s identity, responding with a repeated “who?” after being asked about Hearn’s altercation at the Guildhall. Hearn was quick to explain: “If there had been a confrontation, he would have known about it. He was standing next to me the whole time.

Still puzzled, Warren asked, “What’s this all about?” only to be enlightened by online footage of Hearn and Shalom scuffling before the fight. He then joked, “Well, I know who I’d put my money on,” and with a smile added wryly, “I can’t imagine anyone arguing with him. What’s going on? A real guy.”

The next Battle of the Britons will take place on Saturday night under the iconic Wembley Arch. Former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua will return to the venue where he defeated the great Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 to claim his first world title, but the 34-year-old will need to beat one of the world’s best up-and-coming fighters, IBF champion Daniel Dubois, if he is to add another legendary feat to his CV.

Dubois, 27, was crowned IBF heavyweight world champion after Oleksandr Usyk was forced to vacate the title following an undisputed victory over Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia earlier this year. The fight has huge implications for both fighters.

Joshua is looking to return to the top of the heavyweight division after two consecutive losses to Usyk. AJ has aspirations of revenge on Usyk in a third fight, while a meeting with Gypsy King Fury could also be in the cards if he regains his world title.

As for Dubois, defeating one of the greatest British and boxing heavyweights of all time would be a huge honour for him as he looks to cement his position at the top of the division. Like AJ, Dubois was defeated by Usyk and would undoubtedly like another chance at the Ukrainian after seeing a last-minute knockdown ruled as a controversial low blow.

Wembley Stadium is expected to be packed, with 96,000 boxing fans expected to be on the edge of their seats when the first bell rings later in the evening. Joshua has more fight experience and more appearances at Wembley – but Dubois will see this as a great opportunity to silence his critics after a series of rather awkward encounters with his compatriot in the build-up.

Boxing figures from around the world have spoken out about who they think will get their hands on Saturday’s biggest fight of the night. Now, journalists will have their say.

Joshua Mbu: I predict a fourth-round knockout win for Anthony Joshua. Dubois, while undoubtedly talented, will lose in his first world title defense, but that won’t be the end for Frank Warren’s man, who is close to the top of the heavyweight division. AJ will be crowned a three-time world champion, and boxing will need to provide a series of powerful fights after his inauguration. Joshua will be closely watching the December rematch between Usyk and Fury, and should be the first name to face the winner of that fight, or at least at the end of the trilogy if it gets to that point.

Daniel Blackham: If Anthony Joshua is still the Anthony Joshua he used to be, he won’t have to come out of second gear to beat Daniel Dubois with ease. I’ve got nothing against the youngster, but I’m not sure what he’s done or who he’s beaten to suggest he should be considered the favourite. I’m not sure what the path to victory is for him. Joshua has shown in the past that he can get hit and hurt, but Oleksandr Usyk couldn’t stop him, Francis Ngannou couldn’t touch him, and apart from Dillian Whyte and Wladimir Klitschko about nine and seven years ago, he’s hardly ever been hurt.

Joshua is the better boxer and punches harder, so no difficult feelings for Dubois – who will likely become a future heavyweight champion of the world – but I see Saturday only going one way. Joshua will become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world, likely via overdue stoppage.

Cameron Winstanley: Anthony Joshua, Round 10. Joshua is back to his best form and more refined technique. His devastating KO of Francis Ngannou showed everything that is good about this AJ model. Dubois is threatening, but I think Joshua has too much and will stop the fight at the distance. Joshua should line up for the biggest fight in British boxing history next year against Tyson Fury if the “Gypsy King” gets revenge on Oleksandr Usyk in December.

Opulent Jones: Joshua in Round 7. This is a really tough fight to pick. Joshua has looked impressive recently, but his opponents have been questionable. Dubois has been steadily improving, and his win over Filip Hrgovic was impressive, but he still lacks a real win.

I expect a steady start, but if Dubois catches Joshua, AJ may have no choice but to get into a real fight. When it comes down to it, I think Joshua may be polished and experienced enough to weather the storm and come out on top. Either way, I don’t see this going the distance. Both are powerful boxers who are susceptible to being hit by huge shots. The huge question is who will land the deciding blow?

Joseph McBride: Joshua will win by KO/TKO, round 7. Anthony Joshua has been waiting for this chance after two straight losses to Oleksandr Usyk. Daniel Dubois is incredibly talented and won’t stand in AJ’s way.

It’s also an emotional return to Wembley, where AJ proved himself to be the top contender before beating Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin later in his career. AJ’s last fight at Wembley ended in a seventh-round TKO victory over Povetkin, and I believe history will repeat itself. The first three rounds will be cautious, but once AJ lands his first huge punch, his confidence will soar.

Tom Blow: Anthony Joshua, not Tyson Fury, was supposed to be Britain’s great hope in heavyweight boxing. Olympic glory on home soil, 22 consecutive professional wins and a brutal knockout of Wladimir Klitschko had made him a superstar. For a time, it seemed AJ would remain undefeated and destroy everything in his path. But that was never to be.

Think of all the great heavyweights—Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson—all lost huge fights. Joshua was always going to stumble at some point, and that moment is gone. Four more wins, including a disparaging win over Francis Ngannou, have put AJ back on track. Daniel Dubois is a great fighter and a worthy champion, but now it seems Joshua is storming back to the top of boxing.

It’s far from certain, but the 34-year-old should beat Dubois in the final stages of the fight. It would also be a fitting victory, as the IBF belt was Joshua’s first, won in 2016 after an basic win over Charles Martin.

He beats Dubois and has a chance to unify the division against either Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury. It will also be a chance for AJ to either avenge his two losses to Usyk or finally settle the debate about the best British fighter. Joshua’s fighting legacy is still in his hands. It’s time for him to realize that.