Queensberry-DAZN April 5 Card Hit by Another Withdrawal

It was announced towards the end of 2024 that, starting in April 2025,  Queensberry Promotions would embark on a new broadcast deal with  DAZN. The first event under this agreement was set for April 5, featuring a heavyweight tripleheader: Dillian Whyte vs. Joe Joyce, Lawrence Okolie vs. Richard Riakporhe, and David Adeleye vs. Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva.

However, the card has suffered multiple setbacks. First, Dillian Whyte withdrew due to a damaged finger, with Filip Hrgovic stepping in to face Joyce. Now, the event has been dealt another blow, as Okolie has also been forced to withdraw due to injury, leading to the cancellation of his fight against Riakporhe.

Lawrence Okolie vs Richard Riakporhe April 5 Fight Off

April 5 Card Hit by Lawrence Okolie vs Richard Riakporhe Cancellation

Okolie moved to heavyweight following his KO win over Lucasz Rozanski to win the WBC bridge weight title. “The Sauce” made his debut in the division by stopping Hussein Muhamed in the first round to claim the vacant WBC Silver heavyweight title. His clash with Riakporhe carried extra intrigue, stemming from a heated altercation between the two at the Creed III film premiere in London.

With no replacement opponent lined up for Riakporhe, who was moving up to heavyweight, Frank Warren has confirmed that rising prospect Moses Itauma will be added to the event, with his opponent to be confirmed. Additionally, it has been confirmed that Adeleye vs. Tshikeva will now be contested for the British heavyweight title, vacated by Fabio Wardley.

With Okolie sidelined, fans will now wonder—will the highly anticipated showdown with Riakporhe be rescheduled later in 2025?

April 5 Full Fight Card

• Joe Joyce vs. Filip Hrgovic, 10 rounds, heavyweights
• David Adeleye vs. Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva, 10 rounds, heavyweights
• Delicious Orie vs. TBA, 4 rounds, heavyweights
• Mark Chamberlain vs. TBA, 8 rounds, junior welterweights
• Khaleel Majid vs. Alex Murphy, 10 rounds, junior welterweights
• Juergen Uldedaj vs. TBA, 10 rounds, cruiserweights
• Nelson Birchall vs. TBA, 8 rounds, featherweights
• Ramtin Musah vs. TBA, 4 rounds, light heavyweights
• Alfie Middlemiss vs. TBA, 4 rounds, featherweights

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Joyce vs Hrgovic, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.