Fringe heavyweight contender David Adeleye has signed promotional terms with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing after departing from Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.
The 29-year-old had been expected to take on Guido Vianello last weekend on the Filip Hrgovic-Moses Itauma undercard only for Moses Jolly to take on the Italian instead and earn a surprise draw.
Adeleye, 14-2 (13 KOs), made his name under Warren but hasn’t fought since losing to Hrgovic last August. The slugger, from Ladbroke Grove, London, gave a decent account of himself before being outgunned in eight rounds.
He is a former British champion whose biggest wins came while winning that title, against Jeamie TKV, and the in fight leading to it, a one-round blowout of Solomon Dacres for the English strap.
Prior to that he was halted in seven rounds by Fabio Wardley in 2023.
“Why Matchroom? Why not. Matchroom are one of the biggest promotions in the world and they have created many world champions before,” Adeleye said via the publicity release.
“I will definitely be adding my name to that list – and what an exciting journey we are going to have ahead.
“I’m looking forward to fighting all around the world and mixing it with the biggest names.
“Of course, there were a lot of offers on the table. But, for me, I want to become the heavyweight champion of the world.
“Matchroom is the company that can do that for me. They know boxing, they understand fighters and I feel like the professionalism they have already shown me bodes well for what is to come.
“I just can’t wait to get started and eventually be holding a world title.”
Hearn, who this weekend oversees another recent heavyweight signing Andy Ruiz Jnr start his comeback, added: “Adeleye has a huge personality and is a real diamond in the rough with a phenomenal punch.
“I truly believe he has all the tools to go all the way to the top and we are excited to be working with him in his quest to go on and become a future heavyweight champion of the world.”
