British cruiserweight Isaac Chamberlain (16–2) has exercised his right as the European mandatory challenger to fight for the EBU European championship, currently held by Michal Cieslak (25–2). As steps up from the domestic level, Chamberlain has vacated his British title. Chamberlain aims to add the European title to his list of accolades, which includes not only British, but also prior wins of the Commonwealth and (English) Southern Area titles. In his last outing, Chamberlain won the British title in a shutout victory over previously unbeaten London, rival Mikael Lawal. He now looks to build on that momentum by dethroning a second champion in as many fights as he vies for European glory against the current European champion, the fierce punching Cieslak. 

 

The European title eluded Chamberlain in his unanimous decision loss to current WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam–Smith in a fight of the year contender. The only other loss on Chamberlain‘s record also came against a former champion, Lawrence Okolie, in what was a huge domestic clash at London’s O2 Arena. Chamberlain said, “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 Cieslak stand 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.” 

 

Chamberlain‘s manager, Mick Hennessy, said, “Isaac has always had the goal of becoming world champion. He shown he’s the best in Britain. Now he wants to battle to become European champion and announce himself on the world stage.”

 

The announcement rankled Hennessy's rival promoter Eddie Hearn, who promotes cruiserweight Cheavon Clarke (9-0 including the World Series of Boxing). Clarke is the mandatory contender for the British title and was hoping to face Chamberlain. Hearn complains that Chamberlain strung Clarke along in bad faith, writing: "After it was ordered two months ago, today the day had finally come for the Chamberlain vs. Clarke purse bid. The team drove down to Cardiff to bid in what would have been by far the biggest purses of their career. Instead the Chamberlain team chose to vacate just an hour before the bid. Fifth duck in a row."

 

UPDATE:

 

Hennessy responded to Hearn as follows: "Spreading misinformation doesn't help, Eddie. This has nothing to do with [Chamberlain's promoters] Ben Shalom and Boxxer. This is totally my decision. It was either give up the British title or give up the European title opportunity (as my courtesy call to your office this morning, before we relinquished, explained). And since Chamberlain hasn't won the European title before, we chose this."