A BUNCH OF FIVES

Warren and Hearn ready to do battle as sport's oldest rivalry spills over into next generation for Saudi show

- CHRIS MCKENNA

FRANK WARREN admits he was happy to help the Hearns enter the boxing world - but there were times he wished he hadn't.

And despite being on good terms with Eddie, the drive to beat him in tonight's '5v5' clash of the stables is still red-hot.

Especially as defeat could see him dressed up as a butler.

The Warren-Hearn rivalry has been bubbling for years. Bitter would be an understatement at times over the last few decades.

But they worked together many years ago. Frank and Barry that is.

Warren said: "We were partners for a time. We did the breakaway snooker, him, us and IMG. I negotiated TV deals, he did the promotion about snooker because I knew sod all about snooker. That lasted about a year."

It was around then that Barry visited Frank at his office. The pair had plenty in common.

They were both from working class backgrounds. Warren had worked the pubs and clubs with his cigarette machines and pool tables. Hearn was an accountant.

"I remember Barry came to my office when he started out promoting and we helped him out," said Warren. "Maybe I shouldn't have done!"

Then in 1989, Hearn saw his chance. When Frank was shot outside a London theatre, Barry pounced.