Frank Warren picking his 45th year in the game to bring the Magnificent 7 back tells you everything about where he thinks British boxing should be right now. No noise, no hype tricks, just a stacked night in Manchester with fighters who actually need these fights, not lads coasting on reputation. It’s a grounded card, not polished for glossy PR, which is probably why it hits better than most of what we’ve seen lately.
Moses Itauma getting the headline slot isn’t some wild gamble. The kid’s 20, unbeaten, and coming off a quick torching of Dillian Whyte that made people sit up properly. Franklin is the kind of reliable American who won’t fold just because someone told him he should. It’s a proper step. Not too soft, not reckless. Just right for a fighter who’s still figuring out who he can really be.
Why Warren Went With This Lineup For His 45-Year Marker
The heavyweight fight gets the attention, but the depth underneath is where this card actually earns its respect. Willy Hutchinson vs Ezra Taylor at light heavy is one of those domestic fights that will tell the truth about both. Hutchinson looked sharp against Mark Jeffers. Taylor beat Steed Woodall and looked calm doing it. Someone takes a real hit here and can’t pretend otherwise after.
Zak Miller vs Liam Davies at featherweight feels like one of those crossroads nights. Davies has done everything from IBO world to European to British at super bantam. Miller has the belts at feather now. No one gets carried here. Someone has to prove they can still climb or stay where they think they belong.
Then you’ve got Shakiel Thompson defending against Brad Pauls. Thompson’s a Queensberry pick-up from Sheffield who’s been knocking people over. Pauls is stubborn, experienced, and knows how to drag someone into a longer night than they expected. Balanced matchmaking. Not a showcase, not a trap.
How Deep Does This Card Really Go?
Nathan Heaney turning up with the usual Stoke crowd behind him is predictable in the best way. Heaney vs Gerome Warburton is tidy, honest matchmaking. Warburton won’t take a backward step. Heaney can’t afford another flat night. That one could get scrappy fast.
Lightweight has two separate fights that both matter. Alex Murphy vs Josh Holmes is English title level with something on the line for both. Aqib Fiaz vs Jordan Flynn is one of those fights that doesn’t get the top billing but still decides careers. Flynn can spoil. Fiaz can outbox. Depends who wakes up more switched on.
Warren spoke about the card as a way of marking 45 years in the sport. That’s a long stretch, and he’s seen plenty of promoters come and go. He said he wanted something that actually did justice to the milestone, and for once it doesn’t feel like someone overselling their own work. DAZN’s Michael Ridout also talked up Warren’s longevity, but strip out the corporate shine and the reality is simple. This is a card built with thought, not noise.
Honest view
You don’t have to be a Warren fan to admit this is one of the more grounded cards he’s put out recently. It’s steady, it’s honest, it avoids the usual traps of building a night around one star and letting the rest sag. Itauma vs Franklin works. Hutchinson vs Taylor works. Miller vs Davies works. The whole night feels like a promoter trying to remind people he still knows how to build proper fights rather than just chase headlines.
‘Honest card’ is just code for ‘we couldn’t afford big names.’ If they had money they’d bring someone famous in but instead we get guys we barely heard of.
True! All these names are like local level guys pretending it’s world class or something cause it’s Warren’s party night.
‘Balanced matchmaking’ sounds fancy but it’s just two guys fighting who actually want to win. That should be normal not something special or rare like they making it sound.
This card ain’t special, it’s just what boxing used to be all the time before they started caring more about flashy videos than real fights.
Yeah back in the day you just showed up and watched good fights without all that Twitter talk and fake drama. Bring that back!
People acting like Itauma is the next Tyson or something. He beat Whyte who’s already washed up, that don’t mean he ready for top level yet at all.
I think it’s good they not just putting one big name on top and filling the rest with nobodies. But I still think Warren only did it cause his shows been weak lately.
Exactly! If his other cards was good before, he wouldn’t need to prove anything now. He just doing this so people stop talking bad about him.
Warren only doing this now cause people was saying British boxing got boring. He trying to make it seem like he still got it but he waited too long if you ask me.
I don’t get why everyone’s acting like this is some genius move. Just put fights together and let them fight. Don’t need a big reason. It’s boxing, not rocket science. 🤷♂️