BN: Fans would want to know why Adam Azim has vacated his European title instead of facing Dalton Smith. What’s your response?
Shalom: It was hard to make a decision, but we had to weigh up the options. Harlem Eubank was one of those options.
In the boxing world, it is widely understood that the Dalton Smith fight does not align with Azim’s current career goals. It doesn’t make sense financially, for his growth as a boxer, or from any other perspective. There are much more appealing options available, especially the chance to face an undefeated Eubank, which aligns with our focus on Adam’s development.
Harlem Eubank has had an incredible few years, establishing himself in the boxing world. This upcoming match between Harlem and Adam Azim is significant for both fighters. We believe it’s a crucial fight and the perfect next step for Adam’s career. Reflecting on the Fabio Wardley-Frazer Clarke situation, I learned that timing plays a vital role in making fights more significant and breaking records. As Adam is only 21 years old, it is my responsibility to prioritize his development rather than focusing solely on financial gains. Our objective is not to exploit him for profit, as that goes against our principles in this business.
BN: Will Azim-Eubank be a main event or feature on an undercard?
Shalom: We’re actually still looking at that. It will happen early summer and we’re just assessing our options and venues at the moment. We’ll hopefully make an announcement in the next week or so.
BN: Any news on the Chris Billam-Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe rematch?
Shalom: We have now decided on a date, and we will announce the venue next week 100 per cent. It’s a huge fight and everything’s agreed.
BN: Is Joshua Buatsi vs. Anthony Yarde going to happen?
Shalom: It is, I believe. Everything’s done, everything’s ready to go. And they’ve [Queensberry] got to make an agreement with Anthony. But I believe it happens this summer and I really hope it does.
BN: Would you like to see a Wardley-Clarke rematch or something that’s less demanding for them first given their extraordinary efforts last Sunday.
Shalom: I think it is a good argument and it’s not one I’ve really been faced with before. But such was the unique nature of that fight then I think there has to be consideration from both parties.
Not only do fans eagerly anticipate the rematch, but I too am really excited for it. The rematch is bound to generate an astonishing amount of revenue, surpassing anyone’s imagination. I firmly believe that the rematch is inevitable, considering the captivating narrative and storyline that has captivated the entire nation. However, the timing of the rematch remains uncertain, as it is crucial to allow both fighters ample time to recover.
The experience was incredibly intense, exhilarating, and demanding. Considering the injuries to Fabio’s face and nose, it seems likely that he will require more time for recovery compared to Frazer. This could potentially influence our decision as well. Safety and timing will undoubtedly be significant factors for both the fans and the fighters. Making sure these aspects are prioritized is of utmost importance.
BN: Lauren Price’s world title fight against Jessica McCaskill will be shown on BBC Wales in conjunction with Sky. Is that BBC link-up something fans can expect more of in the future or is it a one-off?
Shalom: I think so. For us I’ve always seen our job as to get as much exposure as possible for our fighters. You have to look at how superstars are created and it’s about putting them in front of the biggest audience possible and getting them into the mainstream consciousness, the casual fans.
Lauren Price, a national treasure in Wales, has achieved superstar status. With her gold medals, MBE recognition, and the overwhelming demand for tickets to witness her talents, it is truly remarkable. Initially, we never anticipated her becoming our top ticket-seller, but in just her seventh fight, she has surpassed all expectations. As a team, we contemplated the idea of allowing all of Wales to witness her journey towards becoming a world champion, especially in such a challenging bout. The spectacle that would unfold is simply awe-inspiring.
We believe that, if promoted correctly, Lauren Price can achieve a similar legacy in Wales as Katie Taylor has in Ireland. This fight was of utmost importance to us, and we are grateful to Sky for their willingness to collaborate with us and the BBC. Their exclusive rights allowed us to showcase Lauren to the entire nation of Wales and rally support behind her, which is truly amazing. This is also why we scheduled the fight on Easter Sunday, as we witnessed the immense buzz it generated for both fighters, especially Frazer Clarke. In breakout fights like these, it is crucial to reach the widest audience possible, and that has always been our strategy.
BN: Will you be adding any new faces at Boxxer?
Shalom: There’s a couple that we’ve got our eye on. But I think for us we’ve been so focused on gathering a stable in a very quick, short amount of time. It comes to the point you’ve got to deliver. Anyone that signs for us we want them to know that we deliver.
The main goal this year was to secure Tasha Jonas her homecoming fight, Buatsi’s breakthrough fight, Frazer Clarke’s opportunity, and to develop Ben Whittaker and Adam Azim. Now, we have successfully arranged a world title fight for Lauren Price and world title shots for Richard Riakporhe and Lawrence Okolie. Our current focus is on fulfilling the potential of our talented stable. We believe they have the ability to become the prominent figures and future stars of boxing, and we are extremely satisfied with their progress. However, if there is an exceptional opportunity that arises, we would definitely be interested.
We will closely observe Paris 2024, although we anticipate it will not have the same significant impact on our business as the Tokyo Games. The Tokyo Games played a vital role in our company, forming a substantial foundation for us. Considering the current state of our business, it was a top priority. However, for Paris 2024 to have a comparable effect, it would require something exceptional or a remarkable find, such as the talented individual, Callum Simpson, who always comes to mind.
