Queensberry Promotions Disputes Mitchell’s “Matchroom Deal”

Nobody could accuse Kevin Mitchell of living the simple life – once the darling of the boxing press, his career has been hindered by problems with his life outside the ring, and after twice failing to capture a version of the world title, he faced a long road back to the top of the mountain.

After a nine-month absence from the ring, he announced this afternoon that he had agreed terms with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport and would return to regular action, beginning with an appearance on the Prizefighter bill on 6th July.

Soon after, various members of the boxing media received a terse statement from Queensberry Promotions, to the effect that “Queensberry Promotions Limited has an exclusive promotional agreement with Mr. Mitchell…This company and our lawyers have written to Mr. Mitchell personally and to his lawyers confirming his contractual obligations”, adding “Mr. Mitchell is aware of the position in that he remains under exclusive contract to this company.”

So far, so confusing. The waters were further muddied by the inclusion of the statement that “Frank Warren neither manages nor promotes Kevin Mitchell and is neither a director nor a shareholder of Queensberry Promotions Limited.”

Queensberry Promotions is in fact operated by George Warren, son of Mitchell’s former promoter, who was also listed as a Queensberry director until 2011 along with other son Francis. Why Mr Warren Sr’s involvement [or lack thereof] in the company merited inclusion in the statement is not immediately clear.

What is clear, however, is that Queensberry’s management intend to enforce their perceived claim on the Dagenham-based lightweight, declaring

“Should Mr. Mitchell breach this contract then naturally the appropriate action will be taken against him through the courts.”

Matchroom supremo Eddie Hearn also receives a proverbial shot across the bows:

“We have put Eddie Hearn on notice that should he continue to interfere with Queensberry Promotions’ contractual rights, then we will take immediate action through the courts.”

When contacted for a response to the statement, a spokesman for Matchroom declined to add anything, save to say that, though they were aware of Mitchell’s earlier announcement “We would like to make it clear we never claimed to have signed Kevin Mitchell.”  This would seem to suggest that Mitchell has in fact not joined their ranks after all, and it is worth noting that the Prizefighter press release makes no mention of a contract between the two parties.

If Mitchell is indeed still under contract, he would not be the first fighter to be brought low by a signature (Manny Pacquiao famously agreed terms with GoldenBoy while still under contract with Top Rank).

Whatever the situation, the chances of his appearing on the Prizefighter bill would seem slim, and he may be forced into extending his layoff until his contractual situation is resolved.