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PROMOTER Barry Hearn has advised Sam Sexton and Chris Burton to follow different paths before they have a rematch after
seeing them clash in a breathtaking Prizefighter 2 heavyweight final.
Sexton stopped Burton with 50 seconds of the third and final round remaining at Newcastle Arena in a finely-balanced
battle involving two of Britain's best young heavyweights.
Matchroom supremo Hearn watched both men give their all from ringside and feels they should avoid each other in future
until something meaningful - possibly the British title - is at stake.
"I think they've both got British title potential," Hearn (pictured above right consoling Burton) told Fightnewz.net.
"They are both quality fighters and are both stars of the future. If I was one of them now, I would stay separate until
one of them has got a title.
"Don't waste a rematch on an eight or 10 rounder, because that would be wrong for both of their careers.
"They are still both very young and learning, but I would bring those two together for a title fight.
"Because having seen their fight, I'm licking my lips. The final would have graced any show, it was edge of your chair
stuff, which is what Prizefighter is all about.
"I'm pleased they went in for Prizefighter, because they take a risk. You are putting reputations on the line, no matter
what.
"I would like to see 12 rounds of that and I don't know who would win. I think it would be the toss of a coin, which
is how all fights should be."
Hearn was full of praise for Norwich's Sexton, who halted Burton after conserving his energy superbly to reach the final in
points wins over Pele Reid and Luke Simpkin.
"I was very impressed with Sam, he is a quality fighter," he said. "I'm not saying he hasn't got things to learn,
which you would expect.
"But he has got a bit of class about him. You notice it a bit more with heavyweights than you do with lighter weights."
And he was equally impressed with pre-tournament favourite Burton, who put his honeymoon on hold to train for Prizefighter
and beat Dave Ingleby and Lee Swaby before losing his unbeaten record to Sexton.
“I told him to see his wife, have a holiday and come back refreshed and he will be a better fighter for the experience,"
said Hearn, pictured above consoling the Darlington man in the ring.
“I think he is a quality fighter, this is not a loss for Chris Burton in my view, it’s a plus.
“Technically he was probably the better fighter, Sam Sexton paced himself better during the three contests
and looked fresher. But it was very marginal."
Hearn admitted Prizefighter 2 could have been better attended, with only around 3,500 of the 11,000 seats taken.
But he is optimistic that the concept - eight boxers squaring off in seven three-round fights in one night
to decide the champion - will take off.
The Prizefighter Series sees welterweights make their debuts at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on October 24, with names
in the frame including Neil Sinclair, Ted Bami and George Hillyard.
"It's new and the public need educating to it but we will have chances," Hearn added.
"We've got a deal with Sky Sports to stage six a year over three years and if people walk away saying they've had a good
night, that will do me."
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