Frank Warren‘s lips were legally sealed when he was asked about how the collapse of his fabulously lucrative relationship with boxing’s new Saudi paymasters is so cataclysmic that he is taking them to court.
‘Can’t comment,’ he said about suing Their Excellencies.
Although Warren was quick to point out that he will still be promoting ‘the biggest shows in boxing’ with the likes of the unretired Tyson Fury back in the ring in April and the world heavyweight title fight between shock WBO champion Fabio Wardley and former champ Daniel Dubois the month after.
When it came to Conor Benn‘s gross betrayal of his long time promoter Eddie Hearn, Warren was revealing on the one hand with but close-chested on the other.
Warren and Hearn were haters for decades but Benn’s lamentable dumping for money of the man who nursed him then backed him throughout his drugs allegations clinched their burying of the hatchet.
‘I sent Eddie a little note the morning after that,’ said Warren. ‘I won’t tell you exactly what was in it.’
Frank Warren (right) has given his verdict on Conor Benn splitting from Eddie Hearn (left)
Benn (pictured) ditched Hearn following his victory over Chris Eubank Jr in November
But he did offer a huge clue when he added: ‘As former American President Harry S. Truman said, if you want loyalty, get a dog.’
His opinion of Benn was blunt in the extreme: ‘Conor’s not even the best welterweight in Essex. He’s been protected. Never fought a contender, never fought for a world title, let alone won one. Forget the two fights with Chris Eubank because I’ve never rated Junior either.
‘So lucky Conor, with all he’s been paid so far for such little talent. Even more so with the millions of dollars he’s supposed to be getting from UFC boss Dana White as he tries to make it in boxing.’
Warren was speaking at the London media launch for Wardley versus Dubois in Manchester on April 11. Those two were in good voice.
Wardley astonished the boxing world by coming out of white collar events to become a world champion. To such an extent that when the WBO belt arrived in the post two weeks ago, the inscription of his name on the silver was accompanied by Dave Allen’s nickname ‘The White Rhino.’
This eloquent pugilist said: ‘They sent a replacement without a nickname because I don’t have a nickname and don’t want one. Fabio Wardley is good enough for me when I’m knocking people out.’
He made it clear, also, that he hand picked another Dynamite puncher in Dubois as his first title challenger ‘because I love wars with big hitters which are exciting for the public and for me.’
Dubois expressed thus his hunger to become a two-time world champion: ‘Losing my belt to Oleksandr Usyk was like losing a girlfriend, even though it was to the greatest fighter of his generation. Now I’m going to renew that relationship.’
Each believes it will be him adding yet another mighty KO to his record. And they agree this slugfest will not go anywhere near the 12 round distance.
So does Warren. Which is why his promotional title for this fight is ‘Don’t Blink.’