Eddie Hearn left furious after Isaac Chamberlain’s last-minute withdrawal wastes Cheavon Clarke’s time
Isaac Chamberlain has announced that he will no longer be fighting his mandatory, Cheavon Clarke, after vacating his British cruiserweight title just one hour before purse bids were due to commence today at noon.
Chamberlain claimed the title last October winning a lopsided unanimous decision over fellow Briton Mikael Lawal.
Eddie Hearn appears furious at the decision to withdraw, taking aim at the 30-year-old and his team in a scathing social media post.
“After it was ordered two months ago, today the day had finally come for the @IChamberlain_ v @C4CHEV purse bid. The team drove down to Cardiff to bid in what would have been by far the biggest purses of their career. Instead IC team chose to vacate just an hour before the bid. 5th 🦆 in a row.. 💩”
At first glance, the decision seems a strange one, however, the former British champion has revealed that he is hoping to exercise his right as the European mandatory challenger. In a statement released today (April 10) by Hennessy Sports, Chamberlain revealed his thought process behind the withdrawal.
“The European title is the only title I’ve challenged for that I’ve not added to my collection. I want to test myself. I want to continue dethroning champions, and now Michal Cieslak stands in my way of becoming European champion. I respect him. I respect his power. I respect what he’s achieved, but when we step in the ring there will be a new champion.”
The Londoner last challenged for the EBU strap in 2022, taking on current WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith in Bournemouth. ‘IC’ put up a valiant effort but ultimately was defeated in an intense back-and-forth battle, seeing both men go to war in an electrifying night for British boxing.