Queensbury Promotions' DAZN Debut in Disarray Following Two Major Withdrawals

Manchester, UK - Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions entered into a landmark multi-year media rights agreement with streaming giant DAZN in November 2024, set to take effect on April 1st of this year. The highly anticipated debut event at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, UK, was intended to kick off this partnership with a blockbuster card. However, two major withdrawals have left the event in turmoil, casting a shadow over Queensbury’s grand entrance onto the DAZN platform.

Dillian Whyte vs. Joe Joyce Fight Falls Apart

One of the biggest fights scheduled for April 5 was the heavyweight clash between Dillian “The Bodysnatcher” Whyte (31-3, 22 KOs) and Joe “The Juggernaut” Joyce (16-2, 15 KOs). The bout, labeled as "Heavy Impact", was set to be a defining moment for both fighters, with their careers hanging in the balance.

Whyte, 36, was a slight favorite at Online Sports Betting despite his inactivity since his controversial majority decision win over Jermaine Franklin in 2022. Meanwhile, Joyce, 39, was seeking redemption after back-to-back defeats to Zhilei Zhang, which had significantly derailed his once-promising trajectory.

However, on March 4, Whyte officially withdrew from the fight due to a finger injury, removing himself from what was to be his biggest bout since his knockout loss to Tyson Fury in April 2022. This left Joyce without an opponent, prompting Croatian Filip Hrgovic (17-1, 14 KOs) to step in as a replacement.

Hrgovic vs. Joyce: A Tougher Test?

Hrgovic, an Olympic bronze medalist, enters this fight with just one career defeat—a stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in June 2024. Before that, he secured a controversial victory over Zhilei Zhang, making him a dangerous replacement for Joyce. Many boxing analysts believe Hrgovic will be a much tougher test than Whyte, given his relentless pressure and technical ability.

Lawrence Okolie vs. Richard Riakporhe: A Heated Rivalry on Hold

With the Whyte vs. Joyce fight being reshuffled, attention shifted to the long-awaited grudge match between Lawrence Okolie (22-1, 16 KOs) and Richard Riakporhe (18-1, 13 KOs). The two British fighters have a well-documented rivalry that nearly boiled over during a 2023 movie premiere of "Creed III", where they almost came to blows.

Okolie, a former WBO cruiserweight champion, moved up to heavyweight in December 2024, scoring an emphatic first-round knockout over Hussein Muhamed to win the WBC Silver Heavyweight title. Meanwhile, Riakporhe—who also suffered his only professional loss to Chris Billam-Smith—was eager to settle the score with Okolie inside the ring.

However, the fight was derailed on March 13, with Okolie suffering an undisclosed injury during training. Queensbury Promotions has officially confirmed the withdrawal and Ring Magazine reports that Okolie will be unable to compete.

Who Will Replace Okolie?

Riakporhe is now left without an opponent, and it remains uncertain whether he will still compete on the card. Speculation is mounting that 20-year-old rising star Moses Itauma (11-0, 9 KOs) could step in as a last-minute replacement.

Itauma, an undefeated heavyweight prospect, has been tearing through opposition since his professional debut in January 2023. His most recent victory—a first-round TKO over Demsey McKean in December 2024—secured him the WBO Inter-Continental, WBA International, and Commonwealth Silver titles.

If Itauma does step in, it would be a significant risk for Riakporhe. The 15-year age gap between the fighters, along with Itauma’s impressive power, could make for a dangerous challenge on such short notice. There was even reports that Moses Itauma would be facing undefeated Albanian Nelson Hysa, but no confirmation forthcoming.

Queensbury Promotions’ DAZN Debut Faces Major Hurdles

The setbacks of Whyte vs. Joyce and Okolie vs. Riakporhe have thrown Queensbury’s DAZN debut into turmoil. While Joyce has found a formidable replacement in Hrgovic, the Okolie situation remains unresolved, leaving questions about the stability of the April 5 card.

With Queensbury aiming to make a strong impression on DAZN, the promotion will need to quickly restructure its event to maintain fan interest. Who will step up to replace Okolie? Will Riakporhe remain on the card? Will Itauma face a credible opponent? These are the burning questions that remain unanswered.

One thing is for certain—April 5 may not go exactly as planned, but the event remains a crucial moment for Queensbury Promotions as it embarks on a new era with DAZN.