Matchroom, Queensbury, and BOXXER: Who Has The Best Boxing Stable
For years, British boxing has been dominated by two powerhouses: Matchroom and Queensbury Promotions. However, with the rise of BOXXER as the newest player in town, a new question has emerged: who now has the best stable of British fighters? Let’s take a look at the British rosters of the big three and see where each stands.
Matchroom: A Decade of Dominance, But Fewer British Champions
For the past decade, Matchroom has been the dominant force in British boxing. Under the leadership of Eddie Hearn, they propelled stars like Anthony Joshua, Lawrence Okolie, Kell Brook, Tony Bellew, Carl Froch, and Dillian Whyte into the global spotlight. Their success in creating World Champions has been nothing short of spectacular.
As of 2023, however, Matchroom’s British world champion count has dwindled to just two: Leigh Wood (WBA Featherweight) and Chantelle Cameron (Undisputed Super-Lightweight). This is a sharp contrast to the heyday of their British dominance, but Hearn’s stable is still filled with top British talent. The likes of Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte, Callum Smith, Conor Benn, Joshua Buatsi, Craig Richards, Ellie Scotney, and John Ryder all remain under contract.
While Matchroom’s move to DAZN has shifted the focus to a more global approach, there are signs of a resurgence in the UK scene. Callum Smith is on the cusp of another World title shot, and Joe Cordina is expected to reclaim the title he was stripped of due to injury. Additionally, recent signings like Olympian Pat McCormack, Team GB’s Mark Dickinson, and the re-signing of Dalton Smith position Matchroom well for the future of British boxing.
Queensbury: A Heavyweight Stronghold and Rising British Stars
Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions, after a period of relative quiet, has made a strong resurgence, especially since its move to BT Sport. Historically known for managing British icons like Lennox Lewis, Joe Calzaghe, and Amir Khan, Queensbury is now home to a formidable lineup of British talent, particularly in the heavyweight division.
The standout is, of course, WBC Heavyweight World Champion Tyson Fury. Alongside Fury, Warren boasts a powerful British heavyweight roster with Joe Joyce, Daniel Dubois, and rising star David Adeleye. Queensbury recently added Moses Itauma, an 18-year-old heavyweight prospect who many believe could be a future world champion.
Beyond heavyweights, Queensbury’s British stable includes standout fighters such as Zach Parker, Nick Ball, Denzel Bentley, Ekow Essuman, and light-heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde. Following a successful 2022, including Tyson Fury’s title defenses and Anthony Yarde’s ascent, Queensbury is poised for another big year, especially with the anticipated undisputed heavyweight title fight between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
BOXXER: The New Kid on the Block, Building a Strong British Presence
BOXXER, led by Ben Shalom, is the newest major force in British boxing. Since its inception in 2018 as Ultimate Boxxer, the promotion has grown rapidly, signing a four-year deal with Sky Sports in 2021. In the wake of Matchroom’s departure from Sky, BOXXER has filled the void, delivering some of the biggest fight nights in recent British boxing history.
BOXXER has put on marquee events like Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook, Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall, and Claressa Shields vs. Savannah Marshall. They have also recently promoted the highly anticipated Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr. clash. These high-profile events have helped BOXXER quickly build its profile and attract top British talent.
Rumors abound that WBO World Cruiserweight Champion Lawrence Okolie is on the verge of joining BOXXER, potentially making him the face of the platform. Okolie would join another British cruiserweight star, Richard Riakporhe, with fans eager to see a potential all-British showdown between the two. BOXXER has also played a key role in revitalizing Natasha Jonas’ career, helping her capture multiple world titles in the last 12 months.
BOXXER has also committed to developing the next generation of British stars. They are putting a significant push behind Adam Azim, who has already begun headlining events and is widely tipped to dominate the light-welterweight division. Rising star Ben Whittaker, another BOXXER signing, is also expected to make waves in the sport.
Conclusion: Who Has the Best British Stable?
All three promotions bring something different to the table. Matchroom, though currently with fewer British world champions, still boasts an array of top-tier British talent and has proven its ability to develop world champions.
Queensbury has regained its footing with a focus on domestic stars, particularly in the heavyweight division, and is looking to build on its strong momentum. BOXXER, the youngest of the three, has rapidly built a competitive British stable and is attracting new talent while putting on high-profile events.
Ultimately, the title for the best British roster depends on what fans prioritize: Matchroom’s global reach, Queensbury’s heavyweight dominance, or BOXXER’s fresh approach and rising stars. All three promotions are well-positioned to continue shaping the landscape of British boxing for years to come.