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By Harrison Baskind
LAST week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was set to be the biggest moment of Ben Shalom’s career.
With arguably the fight of the year topping the bill, Shalom had managed to dominate the undercard with his fighters. Not only that, but he was also working with fellow promoting rivals Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, despite previous struggles to establish a working relationship with them.
What could possibly go wrong?
It all started during the weigh-in between Chris Eubank Jr. and Kamil Szeremeta when Ben Shalom and Frank Warren appeared to have an altercation. Ironically, similar events took place between Shalom and his other rival, Eddie Hearn, on the Riyadh Season Wembley Edition card three weeks earlier.
Nevertheless, Shalom is accustomed to this; he has emphasised many times that his priority is the fighters, not any kind of friendly relationship with his foes.
The significant damage came on fight night.
Firstly, internet sensation Ben Whittaker was expected to put on a statement win against Liam Cameron. However, the fight ended unexpectedly after a bizarre conclusion to the fifth round, with both fighters going over the top rope, resulting in Whittaker sustaining an apparent ankle injury and being unable to continue.
The fight was controversially ruled a technical decision split draw, leaving Whittaker’s opponent, Cameron, feeling aggrieved as he was convinced he had won. Whittaker’s performance not only raised questions, but the way the fight ended has led many to question the fighter’s heart.
Shalom’s night did improve briefly as Chris Eubank Jr made light work of Kamil Szeremeta, knocking his man down four times before forcing the stoppage in the seventh round. Conor Benn then stormed the ring, facing off against his rival – which was comically overseen by Neymar.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Chris Eubank Jr vs Kamil Szeremeta, IBO World Middleweight Title. 12 October 2024. Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing. Conor Benn confronts Chris Eubank Jr after his victory.
Jai Opetaia was the next man to hand a loss to one of Shalom’s fighters. He completely dominated Jack Massey, forcing Massey’s corner to pull him out in the sixth round.
The worst moment of the night for Shalom came in the co-main event. The highly anticipated rematch between Frazer Clarke and Fabio Wardley was expected to mirror the 12-round war they had back in March.
Despite this, the fight ended in brutal fashion when Wardley knocked Clarke out in the first round. Shalom did not even get to watch the main event as he went to the hospital with Clarke.
It has now been confirmed that Clarke suffered multiple facial fractures.
Regardless of the various fight results, working with Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren again could have led to some form of relationship between the British promoters.
In line with Shalom’s night, there still does not seem to be one, and if there was already one, this has gotten worse.
Speaking to Boxing News Online, Eddie Hearn said, “The notion is that we’re all working together, but not really yet.”
Moreover, during the media rounds, Frank Warren labelled Boxxer and Ben Shalom as a “Nightmare to Deal with.”
However, a defiant Shalom reiterated via his own interviews, “We (Boxxer) will keep trying to work with promoters. We will keep trying to make the best fights. We are really reasonable people.”
Whilst just being on a card the size of last Saturday’s was a big moment for the young British promoter, it ultimately was not a good week for him, and he may have to navigate his way through a tough few weeks as he prepares to work again with his rivals in the future.
Boxxer and Shalom return this evening when young prospect Adam Azim faces the experienced Ohara Davies in a super-lightweight bout at the Copper Box Arena, London.
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