Charismatic, all-action, welterweight ace ready to face best in the division as he steps up World title chase

London, UK – 25 January 2022 – Welterweight star Florian ‘The Albanian King’ Marku has signed a new long-term promotional agreement with BOXXER as he continues his pursuit for a World title in 2022.

World ranked Marku is thrilled to put to paper with the next generation boxing promoter BOXXER that will see him continue to thrill fans on Sky Sports and is primed and ready to face the best in the division.

Domestically and globally the 147 pound class houses some of the biggest and best names in the sport and Marku is confident he can carve his own route to becoming World Champion with BOXXER.

Marku said, “I’m delighted to sign an exclusive long term deal with Boxxer. I want to give my fans what they want: the best fights on the biggest platform – and in Sky Sports we have that. I cannot wait to put on a show for all my fans all over the world.  I am coming for everyone at 147 – watch this space.”

Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO and Founder, is pleased to welcome Marku to the team.  He said “We’ve had a long and successful association with Florian as he was one of the first boxers that we got involved with.  He featured on our early tournament shows which saw his popularity and reputation grow from strength to strength.  We’re delighted to now sign this long-term deal as we head into the most important phase of his career that will see face the best at 147 pounds.”

Adam Morallee, CEO at S-Jam Boxing, said, “Florian is a huge draw: he’s entertaining, a massive ticket seller and made for Pay Per View. He’s now got a great platform with BOXXER and Sky Sports to move on to the next level and become a household name in the UK. There are so many great fights for him at 147lbs: the next two years are going to be big for Florian Marku.”

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports said, “‘Everyone at Sky Sports are very pleased that Florian Marku has signed for our promotional partners BOXXER. Florian is a really engaging character who is extremely popular and who is demanding the biggest and most exciting fights.’

Fight-hungry Marku (10-0-1, 16 KO’s) has also achieved considerable success in the kickboxing and Mixed Martian Arts disciplines before switching to boxing.

In kickboxing he was a four-time World Champion with 110 fights under his belt before turning to MMA with a seven-fight unbeaten record.  His boxing career has seen him claim the IBF Intercontinental title.  

The 29-year-old from Lushnje, who has previously live in Greece and is now based out of North London has feverish support from his legion of loyal fans who turn out in their droves to see their hero fight.

He can also count Albanian footballers in his fan club including Ex-Liverpool and current Lyon midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, who has been ringside to watch him fight, and Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, both of whom he is close friends with.

Hugely popular on social media, Marku is active and willing to engage with fans on the platforms and can boast nearly 700k followers on Instagram as he his popularity continues to expand with each fight.

Marku was last in action on a BOXXER card in November when he defeated Frenchman Jorick Luisetto on points over eight rounds at Wembley Arena to maintain his unbeaten record in front of his fanatical fans.

He controlled the fight with a classy performance, switching from southpaw to orthodox and landing sharp and hurtful shots to Luisetto.

LONDON, UK (22 January 2022) 

BOXXER is delighted to announce NFT collection Boxing Boyz as the Official Sponsor of BOXXER’s Mouthpiece podcast, which is set to re-launch imminently in January 2022.

Having built up a loyal viewer and listener base over the last couple of seasons, Mouthpiece is set to return emphatically this month and is here to shake up the boxing world, giving insight and understanding for casuals and purists alike. With breakdowns from the Head of UK Media Relations and all-round boxing fanatic Savage Dan, each week he will be bringing unfiltered opinions, with a raw and fresh take on all the latest news and views around fight nights, current affairs and boxing history.

BOXXER’s next 3 events should provide plenty for discussion, in what is surely one of the most impressive year-opening schedules in Sky Sports Boxing’s illustrious history: with Chris Eubank Jr. vs Liam Williams in Cardiff on February 5th; Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook in Manchester on February 19th; and Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall in Glasgow on February 26th. 

Having launched at the end of 2021 and been backed by a number of high–profile combat sports athletes, Boxing Boyz is a 3D-animated NFT collection made up of 5,005 unique boxing characters – combining the real world of boxing with the digital revolution, through a play-to-earn game.

Each Boxing Boy has its own unique skillset, and upon collection becomes a playable character. The game offers the opportunity to improve one’s skills and earn $BOXING tokens (the in-game currency) by training, fighting and taking part in tournaments – on the quest to becoming the Metaverse World Champion. 

As part of the partnership, Boxing Boyz branding will appear prominently across the podcast, including with video/audio promos, brand mentions and logo integrations. Boxing Boyz will also feature extensively on all Mouthpiece–related digital/social content. 

Commenting on the partnership, BOXXER’s founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “There is real alignment between BOXXER and Boxing Boyz’s shared desire to innovate in their respective fields. At BOXXER, we are looking to modernise the sport and bring it to new, younger audiences – which makes this is an ideal fit for a partnership with a unique, boxing-focused NFT collection such as Boxing Boyz.” 

Mike Swick, UFC veteran and Boxing Boyz co-founder, said: “I don’t get behind anything I am not fully passionate about and I have no doubts we are building the most realistic boxing simulation and fight game that has ever been made. Your whole career is in your hands both in and out of the ring! This game will be addictive to anyone, with or without fighting experience. Then with the play-to-earn factor and constant updates to create the utmost customer satisfaction, we are going to the moon. So happy to share this partnership with BOXXER and Sky Sports Boxing to amplify what we have been working so hard on to build.”

To find out more, visit https://www.boxingboyz.com /  https://opensea.io/collection/boxingboyz-metaverse. 

Glasgow rivals will battle it out for piece of boxing history on the massive Josh Taylor v Jack Catterall fight night, live on Sky Sports

Glasgow, Scotland – 19 January 2022 – The Scottish Heavyweight Championship was last contested in 1951. George VI was King; Ezzard Charles was World Heavyweight Champion; Nat King Cole had the hit Too Young; Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh lit up the big screen in A Streetcar Named Desire; Tottenham Hotspur were Football League Champions and the Video Tape Recorder was invented.

Now, 71 years later, the ‘Vacant’ tag will be removed from the title when Glasgow giants Nick ‘The Glasgow Warrior’ Campbell (4-0-0, 4 KO’s) and Jay ‘The Ghost’ McFarlane (12-5-0, 5 KO’s) collide for the Caledonian mantle on the undercard of the massive Unified World Super-Lightweight title clash between Josh Taylor-Jack Catterall on Saturday 26th February, promoted by BOXXER and Top Rank, at the OVO Hydro, Glasgow, live and exclusive on Sky Sports.

When Glasgow rivals George Stern and Hugh McDonald challenged for the title at the Recreation Ground in Alloa on 22 June 1951, Hibernian FC won the Scottish Division A title; future prime minister Gordon Brown was born and boxing legend-to-be Ken Buchanan was just six years old.

Stern came out the victor that night winning in the seventh round after McDonald was disqualified for a low blow, but Campbell and McFarlane are both promising to deliver a more conclusive ending in their fight.

Claressa Shields, Caroline Dubois, Steve ‘USSR’ Robinson and English Welterweight Title Bout Confirmed For Historic Night In Cardiff As BOXXER Kicks Off 2022 In Welsh Capital 

Cardiff, Wales – January 14, 2022 – Following today’s announcement by the Welsh Government that indoor sports events can resume in Wales, BOXXER is pleased to announce that the long-awaited showdown between bitter rivals Chris Eubank Jr. (31-2, 23 KO’s) and Liam Williams (23-3-1, 18 KO’s), presented in association with Wasserman Boxing, will take place at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff on Saturday, February 5, live and exclusively on Sky Sports.

An electrifying undercard packed with world champions, all-action contests and champions of the future will set the stage for a clash which will bring a years-long war of words to an explosive conclusion and determine which boxer is the UK’s #1 middleweight.

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Claressa ‘GWOAT’ Shields (11-0, 2 KO’s) makes her UK debut as chief support to the main event, defending her WBA, WBC and IBF World Middleweight Championships against undefeated WBF World Middleweight Champion Ema Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KO’s).

Following a stellar amateur career in which she became World Youth Olympic Champion and won the European Youth Championships an astonishing four times, 21-year-old prospect Caroline Dubois follows her older brother Daniel into the professional ranks and aims to make her mark.

Having won his title by way of a stunning sixth-round body-shot stoppage of Darren Tetley last year, English Welterweight Champion Samuel ‘True Sensation’ Antwi (13-1, 6 KO’s) travels from Stockwell, London to make the first defence of his belt. An all-action war is expected when he faces Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker (10-0-1, 3 KO’s), who demolished Jack Ewbank in the first round of their contest in October. 

Proud Welshman and former British and Commonwealth Champion Chris ‘Rock ‘n’ Rolla’ Jenkins (22-4-3, 8 KO’s) heads to his nation’s capital from his hometown of Garnant as he faces former Unified World Champion Julius Indongo (23-4, 12 KO’s) in a massive welterweight showdown.  Indongo’s last visit on these shores in April 2017 saw him relieve Ricky Burns of his world titles at his Glasgow fortress and will hold no fear facing Jenkins in front of his fierce fan base. 

Fast-rising Welsh hot shot Rhys Edwards (11-0, 4 KO’s) looks to maintain his undefeated run and make his countrymen proud in an eight-round super-bantamweight contest against experienced Russian Ruslan Berchuk (13-13, 4 KO’s). The 21-year-old, from Penygraig, is trained by former world champion Gary Lockett and has been heralded as one of the best up-and-coming prospects in the sport.

Giant Geordie Steve Robinson, last seen dismantling Reece Barlow in just 82 seconds back in November, heads down from Newcastle on a mission to add another stunning knockout to his highlight reel. With three jaw-dropping finishes in his four-fight career, the power-punching heavyweight has no intention of going the distance with Shane Gill.

Harlem Eubank (12-0, 4 KO’s), cousin of headline draw Chris Eubank Jr and also part of the Wasserman Boxing stable, adds to the family business on fight night. The Sussex Super Lightweight returns to action following an impressive stoppage win over Nika Nakashidze in Riga, Latvia on October 16 and will be looking to extend his unbeaten record in Cardiff.

Manchester, England – (10 January 2022) – Olympic heavyweight hero Frazer Clarke, who captained Team GB at the 2020 Olympic Games and won a medal for Great Britain, will make his highly-anticipated professional debut at the BOXXER: KHAN vs BROOK event taking place Saturday, February 19 at the AO Arena Manchester, exclusively live on Sky Box Office.

Clarke, from Burton, Staffordshire, signed an exclusive long-term promotional agreement with BOXXER and Sky Sports soon after announcing his decision to turn professional in the wake of his Olympic triumph.  Subject to licensing by the BBBofC, Clarke’s appearance is eagerly awaited on the massive Khan-Brook card – one of the biggest events of 2022.

As he begins his professional journey, Clarke is set on replicating the success he had as an amateur, where his honours included a bronze medal in the super-heavyweight category in the Tokyo 2020 Games, a gold medal in the 2018 Commonwealth Games and gold medals at the 2014 and 2018 European Union Championships.

Anthony Joshua  – Clarke’s former sparring partner at Team GB – will play a key role in guiding him on that journey, with Clarke having signed to Joshua’s 258 MGT management label.

“I am delighted to be making my debut on such a big night for British Boxing. Both Amir and Kell are legends so to be on their undercard is amazing. Burton is my home and a place I love but Manchester holds a special place in my heart, so to start my journey in front of their fans is special. Training is going great and I am 100% focused on putting on a spectacular and entertaining show for everyone in the pros.” said Clarke.

Ben Shalom, BOXXER Founder and CEO, said “It was a proud moment for everyone at BOXXER and Sky Sports when the Team GB captain chose to sign with us and it’s fitting that he will begin his professional journey on the same card as his fellow Olympian and Team GB trailblazer Amir Khan.”

Freddie Cunningham, Managing Director at 258 MGT, said “As captain of Team GB Boxing team and his achievements as an amateur Frazer deserves the biggest possible platform for his debut and Khan v Brook is that. Frazer has a great set up at Loughborough and will be in great shape for his pro debut.”

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports, said “We were all so thrilled when Frazer signed an exclusive deal with Boxxer to showcase both his skills and personality on our huge platform.  We have built all the British heavyweight stars on Sky Sports and will do everything we can to help Frazer become the next.  The Team GB Captain has the experience, minerals and popularity to appeal to a cross over audience and the huge Khan-Brook show in Manchester on February 19th is the perfect stage for the launch of his enticing professional journey…..”

Tickets for February’s event sold out in just 600 seconds when they went on sale in December, making the event one of British boxing’s biggest box office blockbusters. A capacity crowd will be in the AO Arena Manchester to witness bitter rivals Amir Khan and Kell Brook settle their long-running feud in the main event, live and exclusively on Sky Sports Box Office.

Amateur Standout TKV To Be Trained By Ben Davidson As He Sets Sights On Rapid Domestic Rankings Rise 

London, England – (January 3, 2021) – BOXXER, the next-generation boxing promotion, today announced the signing of heavyweight prospect Jeamie ‘TKV’ to an exclusive long-term promotional agreement.

The Tottenham-based TKV is turning professional after a highly-decorated amateur career which included tenure as the Southern Area Heavyweight Champion and English Heavyweight Champion plus a silver medal at the 2019 African Games.

For his professional endeavours, TKV will be trained by Ben Davidson, trainer of Undisputed World Super-Lightweight Champion Josh Taylor and former trainer of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

“I’m excited to join BOXXER and call it my home. I’ve seen how BOXXER and Sky Sports have gotten behind their fighters and I know this is where I will become a force in the British heavyweight scene just as I was in the amateurs,” said TKV.

“I haven’t turned over to just make the numbers. I have my eye on the domestic titles within my first 12 months and I know Boxxer, and my team has the power to deliver. All I have to do is win. I am TKV!”

BOXXER CEO and Founder Ben Shalom said, “As an amateur, TKV was one of the most exciting heavyweight talents in Britain and we’re delighted to announce him as the latest addition to the BOXXER heavyweight division as he enters the professional ranks under renowned trainer Ben Davidson.”

Ranked #10 at heavyweight in the most recent AIBA rankings, TKV crosses over into the professional ranks with an incredible athletic pedigree behind him. Born in London to parents from the Democratic Republic of Congo, he is one of six siblings who have all gone on to compete at national or international level in their chosen athletic discipline.

Two of his brothers have competed in wrestling for Team GB, having been trained from a young age by their father Makasi, a former national wrestling champion in the Congo and a former army champion in the Congolese army, where he was a member of an elite commando unit.

London ace ‘2 Slick’ targets return to World 147 pound scene this year

London, England – (January 3, 2022) Former WBO Global Welterweight Champion Chris ‘2 Slick’ Kongo kicks off 2022 with a bang announcing that he has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with BOXXER and aims to get back into World title contention this year.

The Bermondsey star is thrilled to join the burgeoning BOXXER stable and is now under new trainer Ben Davison, who also guides Undisputed World Super-Lightweight Champion Josh Taylor amongst many others talents, as he plots a big year ahead.

All-action Kongo (12-1, 7 KO’s), who is managed and guided by Dillian Whyte, joins BOXXER alongside another new exciting signing today, London heavyweight Jeamie TKV, who will also be trained by Davison.

For Kongo, he’s just raring to get back into the ring and is looking forward to having his fights broadcast on Sky Sports.  He said, “It’s great to have teamed up with BOXXER by signing a new promotional deal with them as they’re doing amazing things and to be back on a fantastic TV platform like Sky Sports,”

“I have a new promoter to push me and get me to where I want to be at world level and to challenge for a world title and of course a new trainer in Ben who will ensure that I get back to the top,”

“I really can’t wait to get back in the ring now.  The important thing for me this year is to get back to fighting, keep active and climb back up the world rankings.”

BOXXER CEO and Founder Ben Shalom said, “As one of the first signings to BOXXER in 2022, we welcome Chris Kongo to the team and look forward to working with him this year.  It’s a big year for him where we’ll work hard to return him to the world class mix and push on from there.  The domestic and world 147 pound division is full of quality fighters and champions. Kongo can really get himself back on the scene with some good victories this year and into the top ten World rankings.”

A former Team GB member with over 70 victories in the amateurs, Kongo turned pro in August 2016 with a first round KO over Jason Nesbitt and quickly rose through the ranks to challenge for his first title against Luther Clay in August 2020.  A head-turning ninth round stoppage of Clay from a punishing left hook delivered Kongo the WBO Global belt and a world ranking.

However, then out of action until March 2021, Kongo suffered a setback when he lost the title on points to the awkward Michael McKinson in his first defence but is ready and hungry to regain his world title contention position.  

He said, “There will be a time he will have to come back and see me.  There was nothing in the fight, if I had the chance again I’d beat him. I only had one fight in nearly two years when I fought McKinson, he was still active and had the experience.”

Setback and hardship isn’t new to Kongo.  As a 16 year old growing up in Bermondsey he was involved in gang culture and was stabbed.  It was a turning point for Kongo and he turned his back on that life and focused on his boxing career and he now wants to inspire and encourage other youngsters who are in that position now.

He added, “It made me think what I wanted to do with my life and where I was going and boxing was what I definitely wanted to do.  With the life I was leading it could have gone one way or the other.  I’m so grateful to have chosen the right path and I know what I achieve through boxing.  This year I want to go back into the community and show kids that they can get out and achieve great things with their lives.  If I can do it, so can they.”

LONDON, UK (16 December 2021) 

BOXXER is delighted to announce bet365 as the Official Betting Partner of Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook on February 19th 2022, airing LIVE and exclusively on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK & Ireland. 

Khan and Brook will face off in a blockbuster pay-per-view event that has been years in the making, in one of the most highly anticipated match-ups in world boxing. The iconic AO Arena in Manchester will play host to the most significant all-British clash in recent history and the biggest fight of the year, as two stars of the sport and former world champions go head-to-head on the greatest stage. A stacked undercard to support the 50/50 main event – tickets for which sold out in a matter of minutes – is set to be announced soon. 

Since the company’s inception in 2000 by Denise Coates CBE, bet365 has become a global operation offering an unparalleled online betting experience to more than 63 million customers in more than 20 languages. 

bet365 is renowned for its innovation of award-winning and industry-leading betting products, having pioneered In-Play betting as it continues to break new ground in software innovation. This includes live streaming of 600,000 events per year on its digital platforms and is complemented by its offerings in Casino, Poker, Games, and Bingo.

As part of the partnership, bet365 branding will appear prominently across all pre-promotional activity, including press conferences, open workouts and weigh-ins; culminating in extensive in-arena exposure on February 19th, with 360-degree branding across the ring corners, ropes and toblerones; and the venue’s screens, banners and boards. 

As BOXXER’s Official Betting Partner, bet365’s odds will be promoted on BOXXER’s platforms in the build-up to fight night, with in-play optimisations exclusive to BOXXER. bet365 will feature across BOXXER’s social content, including logo integration into digital content series, association with BOXXER’s performance prizes and exclusive content capture with talent. 

Commenting on the partnership, BOXXER’s founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “We’ve been working with bet365 since our launch with Sky Sports in October, and we’re delighted to be taking our partnership to the biggest event in British boxing. They are leaders in their space and we’re looking forward to an iconic night together.”

A spokesperson at bet365 said: “What a start to 2022 for bet365 and BOXXER! First we have Eubank Jr vs. Williams in Cardiff on January 29th and then comes Judgement Day on February 19th. We are thrilled that the extension to our current partnership with BOXXER will launch with the most anticipated grudge match in recent boxing history, Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook. The eyes of the boxing world will be fixed upon Manchester and we’re delighted that the bet365 brand will sit proudly beside our partners at BOXXER.”

Download the bet365 app here, for the latest odds on BOXXER’s events

Birmingham Talent Will See Career Flourish As He Sets Sights On Titles

First Fight Under New Deal Will Be On The Undercard Of The Eubank Jr.-Williams Blockbuster

London, England – (December 14, 2021) BOXXER Series Super Lightweight Champion Cori Gibbs has signed an exclusive long-term promotional agreement with BOXXER following his sensational victory last month at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.

The Birmingham ace shot to prominence with three defining victories in one night – defeating two Merseyside fighters on home ground – to be crowned champion and picking up a share of the massive £100,000 prize money – the largest in UK boxing one-night tournament history.

Gibbs, 28, was the bookies’ favourite coming into the tournament with the only unbeaten record and his sublime southpaw skills overcame experienced rivals in former Commonwealth Champion Sean Dodds in the opening quarter-final, then former English Champion Lee Appleyard in the semis and former WBA International Champion Tom Farrell in the grand final.

Despite building an impressive 13-0 record prior to entering the BOXXER Series, Gibbs was relatively unknown outside of the boxing scene, but came into the tournament with a tremendous amateur pedigree. 

He won 55 of his 58 bouts and was a member of the Team GB squad representing England and captured four national titles, including the coveted senior Four Nations trophy, a GB title and two-time winner of the Haringey Cup.

Boxing talent runs in the Gibbs family with his younger brother Tion, 26, who is undefeated in the pros with eight wins and is the current Midlands Area Lightweight Champion.

The Boxxer series provides ambitious and determined boxers like Gibbs with a golden opportunity to showcase their skills to a wider audience and punch their way out of obscurity into the bright lights.  

Now with an unbeaten record of 16-0 and an enhanced profile, Gibbs will also see his position in the British rankings elevated as he pursues a shot at the prestigious British title before moving on internationally. 

And the first fight of the new deal will see him featured in BOXXER’s first marquee event of 2022 on the undercard of the huge British blockbuster showdown between British superstar Chris Eubank Jr. against Welsh firebrand Liam Williams on Saturday 29th January at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.

Gibbs said, ”Competing for BOXXER was such a great experience, it was a no-brainer for me when I was offered a long-term deal. If you’re a British boxer, this is where you want to be. I’m looking forward to winning my first professional title live on Sky Sports next year.”

Jon Pegg, Gibbs’ manager, enthused, ”I’m very happy that Cori has signed a long-term promotional agreement with BOXXER and Sky Sports. They want to take him from prospect to champion and the platform is second to none.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO, Ben Shalom, said, “I’m delighted to welcome Cori to the ever expanding BOXXER stable and look forward to providing him with more career defining opportunities. He’s been on our radar for a while, he’s a special talent with all the attributes needed to succeed. The BOXXER Series was developed for boxers like Cori who are need of an opportunity to explode onto the scene.  He saw his opportunity and he took it, and he’s now been rewarded with a long-term contract and his career will sky-rocket from here.” 

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports, added, “I was hugely impressed by Cori Gibbs as he showcased stylish skills, amidst the chaos, while winning a hugely entertaining BOXXER Series show.

“I’d heard about Cori’s reputation and he really cemented that, looking the part in three frenetic tournament fights in Liverpool.

“He emerged with the winner’s cheque but also caught the eye of promoter Ben Shalom – and it just shows how the BOXXER Series can transform a fighter’s career in one night!

“Cori is another fantastic addition to a BOXXER stable, which goes from strength to strength, and he’ll now be guided towards titles as his exciting journey continues on Sky Sports.”

February 19 Clash At Manchester AO Arena Smashes Box Office Records, Four-Minute Presale Sellout Sets New Benchmark

Unprecedented Rush For Tickets Writes Khan vs Brook Into History 

Two Months Before The Fighters Will Enter The Ring

The Biggest Domestic Clash In British Boxing Today 

Will Air Live And Exclusively On Sky Box Office

Manchester, England – (December 13, 2021) – Two months out from the night both boxers will enter the ring to settle one of the bitterest rivalries in British sport, 

the February 19 clash between Amir ‘King’ Khan (34-5, 21 KO’s) and Kell ‘Special K’ Brook (39-3, 27 KO’s) has already written itself into the record books.

Tickets for the event have sold out in just ten minutes, making Khan vs Brook at the Manchester AO Arena one of the fastest-selling events not only in British boxing history but in British sporting history as a whole. 

A clue to the unprecedented level of demand came when fans signed up for last week’s presale at a ratio of six fans for every one ticket available. When Friday’s presale opened, it sold out in just four minutes. 

The speed of the presale sellout was echoed on Monday when a final batch of tickets went on sale to the general public, with the event officially being declared a sell-out just six minutes after the public sale began. 

Following the lightning-fast sellout and value of the ticket inventory sold, BOXXER – which took over as the Sky Sports Boxing promoter just three months ago – now lays claim to records for biggest box office take for an indoor UK sports event and fastest sell-out for UK boxing event.

“We knew we could sell the arena out a few times over but the demand for tickets has been mind-blowing. The arena told us this event is ‘bigger than Bieber’,”said Ben Shalom, BOXXER’s founder and CEO.

“The level of national interest in this fight is just off the scale – it’s the biggest British battle in decades. We’re looking forward to an electric night on February 19 for what will be an iconic and legacy-defining fight in front of a sold-out arena and televised live and exclusively on Sky Sports Box Office.”

The rivalry between Khan and Brook dates back to their teenage years, when the 17-year-old Khan won an Olympic silver medal after being selected ahead of Brook for the Team GB squad which went to the 2004 Olympic Games.

Khan’s professional accomplishments include tenure as the unified light-welterweight world champion and Commonwealth lightweight champion, while Brook is the former British welterweight champion and former IBF world welterweight champion. 

With tensions between the two remaining high ever since their amateur days, British boxing fans have long had a showdown under professional rules on their wishlist. As the two top welterweights in the UK, February’s encounter will not only settle their rivalry but will also determine which of them is the best welterweight in the country.