Promoter Eddie Hearn was forced to cut a fight from his Birmingham card this weekend at the final minute when he was made aware of ‘irregular betting activity.’
Tyler Denny and Felix Cash topped the bill at the World Resorts Arena with Denny retaining his European Middleweight Title on a technical points decision after the fight was stopped early due to a cut on Cash.
The event also featured a barnstormer between Lewis Crocker (W) and Conah Walker as well as a women’s British Super Flyweight title fight starring Shannon Ryan and Emma Dolan (W).
Super-Featherweight Kane Baker was set to rematch Aqib Fiaz after the latter won on points back in 2020. The bout was stripped from the prelims half an hour before the doors opened. Hearn said it was a first in his career and explained the situation further to Seconds Out.
“[We pulled it] about half an hour before doors opened. I’ve learned from the past where I’ve sometimes been advised not to say anything, but the reality is, there’s no point f***ing mincing words, I was made aware of some irregular betting activity around that fight. I had to deal with the situation with the information I had, speaking to various people involved, my team as well and the Gambling Commission.
I made a decision to pull the fight. I didn’t like a lot of the stuff that I’d heard, I wasn’t willing to take a risk and progress with that fight. Then I spoke to the British Boxing Board of Control who said you’re doing the right thing. Not it’s over to them for an investigation into the matter. I can’t give you all the answers but I’m sure they’ll come out once there’s a hearing.”
Fiaz relaesed a statement in the aftermath.
“Tonight’s fight was cancelled due to a situation I was unaware of and had no involvement in. There is an ongoing investigation and I have been advised to make no comment at this time.”
It’s certainly not the first time gambling and boxing have crossed paths in a poor fashion, although most cases tend to be post-fight. Popular heavyweight Dave Allen’s bout with Dorian Darch was looked at by the Board and Gambling Commission back in 2020.
