THE UK remains a vital boxing heartland, and Matchroom must ensure it thrives with captivating fights and high-quality shows. Jack Catterall vs. Harlem Eubank and Galal Yafai vs. Francisco Rodriguez Jr. will close Matchroom’s first half of 2025, a period of mixed successes.
Their year began on January 25 in Nottingham, where Dalton Smith demolished Walid Ouizza in a first-round knockout to claim the EBU European super-lightweight title. The main event was a one-sided showcase, but Ellie Scotney’s gritty IBF super-bantamweight title defence against Mea Motu and Conah Walker’s intense British welterweight title bout with Harry Scarff added fire.
On March 1 in Belfast, undefeated welterweights Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan delivered a thrilling all-Irish showdown, its passion marking it as a UK highlight. Last night at the Copper Box, Dave Allen’s fifth-round knockout of Johnny Fisher avenged a contentious Riyadh decision from December 2024, where Fisher secured a dubious win despite being floored. Allen’s redemption, fuelled by sharper conditioning and trust in trainer Jamie Moore, won over fans.
Not every Matchroom show delivered. The January 31 card at Indigo at The O2, led by George Liddard’s win over Derrick Osaze, and Pat Brown’s cruiserweight debut on March 28 in Altrincham leaned heavily on prospects. April’s Sheffield event, with Smith facing the obscure Mathieu Germain, was a routine win on a card that lacked spark.
Queensberry Promotions, joining DAZN in April 2025, has made a bold entrance, challenging Matchroom’s dominance. Cacace vs. Wood was a compelling super-featherweight clash that delivered, while Taylor vs. Essuman and Wardley vs. Huni are strong additions to any promoter’s schedule. Queensberry’s undercards offer diverse, crowd-pleasing bouts.
Matchroom’s upcoming fights offer a chance to reclaim ground. On June 21 in Birmingham, Galal Yafai defends his WBC Interim World Flyweight title against Francisco Rodriguez Jr., a clash promising fireworks, with Shabaz Masoud vs. Peter McGrail a skillful appetiser where both deserve credit for taking the fight. On July 5, Catterall faces Eubank at Manchester’s AO Arena, a welterweight bout that carries enough intrigue and narrative to capture the imagination. These fights position Matchroom to end strongly, countering Queensberry’s surge.
The UK’s boxing spirit, forged in raucous arenas and stories like Allen’s redemption, drives the sport’s heartbeat. While Riyadh’s millions and the USA’s glitz tempt, and Queensberry’s DAZN debut raises the bar, Matchroom’s roots remain British. With Yafai and Catterall leading the charge, Matchroom can reclaim the stage, but bolder, consistent UK matchups are essential.
