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Hearn has a contingency plan if Dmitry Bivol goes elsewhere

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Image: Hearn Already Has A Backup Plan If Dmitry Bivol Goes Elsewhere

Discussing the situation, Hearn confirmed Smith’s position as the mandatory challenger for the WBO title.

“Now he has been ordered to fight Callum Smith. People are talking about Beterbiev 3 or Benavidez, but Callum has to get his chance, so we will see what happens,” Hearn said on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel.

“We will talk to Dmitry, Vadim and the team. If he decides to fight Beterbiev or Benavidez again, Callum Smith versus Buatsi will fight for the world title, which would be a massive fight.

Hearn stopped miniature of presenting Smith as Bivol’s clear next opponent. Instead, he immediately discussed alternative scenarios and openly outlined a contingency plan involving Smith and Joshua Buatsi if Bivol decided to take a bigger fight elsewhere.

Typically, a promoter with a mandatory challenger will bang the drum, demand a fight, and try to corner the champion. Instead, Hearn immediately changes his mind to: “Well, if he doesn’t want it, we’ll just have this gigantic fight in the country for the vacant belt.”

This shows zero confidence that Bivol will actually take the fight to Callum Smith and honestly why would he? Bivol just returned to form against Eifert and wants those gigantic legacy nights against Benavidez or a Beterbiev trilogy. Hearn probably knows this, so instead of fighting the current, he’s already building a bridge in case Bivol inevitably loses the WBO belt.

Matchroom wins either way. If Smith gets Bivol, great. If Bivol leaves, Hearn will be given a massive stadium-level hit in the UK with Smith vs Buatsi 2 without having to share the pie with outside promoters.

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Derek Chisora Slams Dana White Regarding Fighter Treatment Issues

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Derek Chisora Slams Dana White Regarding Fighter Treatment Issues

Derek Chisora accused Dana White of operating like a “slave owner,” but Conor Benn’s lucrative move to Zuffa Boxing offers a substantial counterpoint to the heavyweight’s attack.

Chisora’s complaint centered on White turning fighters away from his platform. That hardly explains the comparison, especially with Benn reportedly collecting $15 million for his first Zuffa appearance alone.

“Dana White is not my cup of tea, to be honest with you,” Chisora said in an interview with Fight Hub TV following the Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua press conference. “Because the way he operates is just, he operates like a slave owner, man. You know, fighters want to fight on his platform. He tells them, ‘You’re not good enough for me, so go away.’ What is a fighter going to do? What is he going to do after that? That’s not right.”

Benn’s experience makes that accusation difficult to defend. His reported $15 million purse for facing Regis Prograis was followed by a world-title opportunity against Ryan Garcia. White’s platform has delivered both substantial money and a major fight for the British welterweight.

One boxer’s earnings cannot answer every question about a promoter’s treatment of fighters. But Chisora supplied no named example to support his accusation. Benn gives readers something concrete to weigh against it.

Chisora also argued that a fighter who performs poorly one night can improve the next time. Fair enough. Promoters still have to decide whom to sign, how many places they can offer, and which fights they want to stage. Wanting a contract does not create an entitlement to one.

His example concerns access to White’s platform, rather than restrictions imposed on someone already fighting there. Those are different issues, and Chisora never explained how rejection justified his language.

Asked about the dispute between Eddie Hearn and White, Chisora made his personal dislike clear. What he failed to provide was an argument strong enough to carry such a loaded accusation.

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Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Live London Press Conference Showdown

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"Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Live London Press Conference Showdown"

The long-awaited, all-British heavyweight blockbuster between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is officially set for December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Backed by Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, the defining clash will see both men pocket a career-high purse and settle the debate – to a degree – of this generation’s best UK heavyweight.

After more than a decade of false starts and fractured negotiations, the two former heavyweight champions will finally settle their rivalry in what promises to be the biggest commercial event in British boxing history. Broadcast rights have been secured by Netflix for a global audience and Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao may appear on the undercard, despite turning 49 one week after the event.

Crucially, Joshua’s camp held firm during negotiations to ensure the bout remained on domestic soil. Despite the potential for more lucrative offers overseas, ‘AJ’ refused to budge on the location, and the pair meet today in London to make it official.

Fans can watch live via the stream below, with the proceedings expected to kick off at 6 PM – though delays and gamesmanship may be a factor.