17 November 2023 , 11:25
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Eddie Hearn has confirmed he buried the hatchet with rival boxing promoter Frank Warren after they teamed up to create the 'Day of Reckoning' event.
Heavyweight Anthony Joshua, promoted by Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, will take on Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on 23 December. As part of the huge event, a co-main fight will also take place between American Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker.
Warren's Queensberry Promotions, in conjunction with the Saudi Arabian government, is hosting the blockbuster event. It is the first time Queensberry and Matchroom have teamed up, with the two companies rivals within the sport.
Hearn has now opened up on his discussions with Warren since the blockbuster event was announced. And he revealed that he only met his rival promoter for the first time this week.
"I met Frank Warren for the first time at Wednesday's news conference. It was a very simple exchange. I said we should forget the rubbish, that this is a big opportunity for Queensberry, Matchroom, for boxing and our fighters, so let's not mess it up," he told BBC Sport.
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"He said pretty much the same to me. This could be a real turning point for British boxing. Matchroom and Queensberry will always be rivals, which is good for the fans because we will do our best to put on great shows, to be ahead of the competition.
Eddie Hearn's star fighter Anthony Joshua will be a star attraction at the Day of Reckoning (Tom Dulat/Getty Images)"But I have always said when the opportunity is right for the fighter, egos will generally be put to one side. We would be idiots if we turned down this chance for Anthony Joshua, or Dmitry Bivol and Jai Opetaia who fight on the undercard. These are life-changing opportunities for some of those guys."
Joshua's fight against Wallin will be his first since a knockout win over Robert Helenius in London in August. If he beats Wallin, it could potentially set up a clash with Wilder, though the former two-time heavyweight champion is keen to keep focused.
“People talking about how I’ve peaked have never even seen a peak in their whole career. I’m looking forward to delivering my message to Otto Wallin on December 23," Joshua said at the event's press conference.
“I can’t predict the future but I know where I want to go, I know what I want to do. I’m sticking to that plan. I set out a plan at the start of this year and I’m sticking to that. I’m a man of my word, I stand firm with what I believe.
"And I believe I’m going to be a three-time heavyweight champion of the world. My first step to that is putting on a demolition job against Otto Wallin. I’m determined to win and I’m determined to get back to my peak, if that’s what they want to call it.”