In the wild world of British boxing, Frank Warren is still swinging — and not just in the boardroom. While Eddie Hearn has often hogged the spotlight in recent years, Warren’s Queensberry Promotions has quietly rebuilt its heavyweight division. From title challengers to prospects with swagger, the Frank Warren heavyweight stable is undeniably active. But here’s the million-pound question: is there real quality behind the activity, or are we just looking at a padded line-up of names without genuine bite?
With a renewed focus on international deals, a revived working relationship with DAZN, and a historic cross-promotional effort with Matchroom, Warren is back in the big conversations. But when you dig into the fighters themselves, the picture gets more complicated.
Daniel Dubois: July Rematch with Usyk Is Make or Break
Let’s begin with Daniel Dubois, arguably the flagship name in Warren’s heavyweight rebuild. Dubois has had a bumpy ride since the hype train first left the station. A crushing loss to Joe Joyce derailed the narrative. A short-lived secondary WBA belt win brought him back into the mix. Then came the big one: Oleksandr Usyk, unified champion, slick operator, pound-for-pound talent.
Dubois gave a decent showing in their 2023 clash, and even dropped Usyk with a body shot that sparked serious debate. Was it a low blow? Was it legitimate? Fans were divided, pundits were fuming, and Frank Warren was livid. That shot, for many, should’ve been called a knockdown. Instead, Usyk recovered and stopped Dubois later in the fight.
Now we’ve got Usyk vs Dubois II, scheduled for July, and this time there’s nowhere to hide. Dubois must prove he belongs on the world stage — or risk slipping into the “what could have been” file. This isn’t just a second chance; it’s probably his last at the elite level.
Adeleye: Hype Train Derailed… or Just Delayed?
The next man up in the Frank Warren heavyweight stable is David Adeleye — and oh boy, where do we begin? Brash, confident, and camera-ready, Adeleye had all the early signs of a breakout star. That was until Fabio Wardley humbled him in front of the world. In their British title showdown, Adeleye was dropped, outboxed, and ultimately exposed.
The rebuild began quickly, but it hasn’t been smooth sailing. His comeback win over Dmytro Tshikeva ended in another controversy. Adeleye got the win, sure, but few were convinced. Many saw the stoppage as premature and sloppy, raising serious questions about his readiness and temperament.
Read: Adeleye vs Tshikeva Controversy – CMBoxing
Read More: British Title Fallout – CMBoxing
Warren has always stood by Adeleye, but the cracks are starting to show. If Adeleye is to truly rise through the British and European ranks, he needs a clear, controversy-free win — and he needs it now. The Wardley defeat isn’t a death sentence, but repeat question marks over his performance could turn the tide of public perception permanently.
Hamzah Sheeraz: The Star in the Waiting Room
While not a heavyweight today, Hamzah Sheeraz is the standout talent in Warren’s broader stable. Tall, rangy, clinical — Sheeraz has dismantled everyone put in front of him at middleweight and super-middle. If you’re talking pure ability and poise, he’s already world-level. And with his frame, it’s not out of the question that he could eventually move up the weights and flirt with light-heavy or even heavyweight.
This is important context. If Warren’s current heavyweight talent don’t pan out, Sheeraz could be the ace in the hole — someone with crossover potential and enough skill to carry the Queensberry brand into the next generation. He’s already passed every test — and done it in style.
Whether he stays in the lower divisions or not, Sheeraz gives Warren something the other names don’t: credibility at world level.
Collaboration Over Competition: A Game-Changer?
What’s perhaps more important than any single fighter is the shift in mindset at Queensberry HQ. For decades, British boxing was ruled by siloed promoters. Cross-promotional fights were rare. Fans were left frustrated, and big matchups died on the negotiation table. But that’s changing — fast.
In 2024, Warren and Eddie Hearn shocked the boxing world with the now-iconic 5v5 card, pitting their best against each other. Queensberry came out on top — but more importantly, the event proved collaboration is good for business.
Read: Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren – From Enemies to Partners? – CMBoxing
This new partnership, alongside Warren’s improved relationship with DAZN, opens doors to matchups that once felt impossible. Imagine Dubois vs Joshua. Adeleye vs Clarke. Even Sheeraz vs Eubank Jr. That future suddenly feels… plausible.
So, Is It Strength in Depth — or Names Without Bite?
Let’s break it down:
- Dubois has the July rematch of a lifetime. Win that, and everything changes.
- Adeleye is hanging on — but only just. One more shaky performance and the hype bubble bursts.
- Sheeraz isn’t a heavyweight — but he’s the most polished fighter in the entire Queensberry roster.
Right now, it’s a stable built more on potential than proven results. But with the right matchmaking, bold promotion, and continued collaboration with the likes of Matchroom, Warren might just pull off the unthinkable: a full comeback at the top of the heavyweight division.
What Do You Think?
Are you convinced by the Frank Warren heavyweight stable? Can Dubois pull off the shock in July? Will Adeleye rebound and mature? Is Sheeraz destined for greatness — or are we pinning too much on promise?
Drop your comments below, repost this blog, and check out all the latest at CMBoxing.co.uk — your ringside seat for no-nonsense boxing analysis.
Let’s keep the conversation going.