Matchroom vs Queensberry 5v5 LIVE!
Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang headline a massive night of boxing in Saudi Arabia that sees a new unique team event take centre stage at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, scene of Oleksandr Usyk’s thrilling win over Tyson Fury a fortnight ago. The best of Matchroom go up against the best of Queensberry in five fights held across four weight classes, with more than just bragging rights up for grabs for rivals-turned-friends Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren.
Before Wilder and Zhang compete in a must-win showdown, Daniel Dubois takes on Filip Hrgovic for the IBF interim heavyweight title and Hamzah Sheeraz battles Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams in a final eliminator for the WBC middleweight belt. Nick Ball is the new WBA featherweight champion after outpointing Raymond Ford, while Queensberry went 1-0 with an opening upset as Willy Hutchinson dominated Craig Richards.
There are two points awarded for a knockout win and one for a victory on the cards, with double points on offer to respective team captains Wilder and Sheeraz. Dmitry Bivol also defends his WBA light-heavyweight title tonight against Malik Zinad after the postponement of his undisputed meeting with Artur Beterbiev. Follow the whole 5v5 event live below!
Matchroom vs Queensberry 5v5 latest news
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Nick Ball beats Ray Ford to become world champion
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Willy Hutchinson upsets Craig Richards in opening fight
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How to watch: DAZN PPV and TNT Sports Box Office
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Running order
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Wilder vs Zhang prediction
And the new! Nick Ball beats Raymond Ford to become WBA featherweight champion
21:42 , George Flood
It’s a split decision!
115-113 Ford, 115-113 Ball, 115-113 Ball!
Nick Ball is the new WBA featherweight champion of the world!
Fully deserved on tonight’s evidence and his controversial draw with Rey Vargas in March.
He should be the unified champion.
That’s 2-0 to Queensberry after two fights that Eddie Hearn will have been expecting to win.
No pressure, Ammo Williams…
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
21:37 , George Flood
Frank Warren with his arms triumphantly raised at ringside.
He thinks Ball did enough…
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
21:37 , George Flood
Round 12
A remarkable final round befitting of such an entertaining battle!
Two great fights so far on this 5v5 bill.
Ball gives it his all, swarming Ford all over the place and rattling in some spiteful shots.
The American countered a couple of times smartly, but the sheer pressure again from Ball there may just have won him the fight.
Will this be 2-0 to Queensberry, or are Matchroom off the mark?
These scores will be fascinating…
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
21:34 , George Flood
“I’m ahead, aren’t I?” Ford asks his corner.
They tell him that they don’t know…
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
21:33 , George Flood
Round 11
Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren are both on the edge of their seats at ringside during another furious round that is so, so tricky to score.
Both men continue to trade and land at close range, the nose doesn’t seem to be bothering Ball any more.
Will Ball’s greater work-rate and volume of punches win the day here?
So many of these rounds could easily go either way, depending on your preferred approach.
The 12th will be explosive…
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
21:30 , George Flood
Round 10
Another engrossing three minutes as we enter the championship rounds.
This is a real war as we expected.
It was a tremendous start from Ball, but Ford is dealing so much better with those relentless attacks now.
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
21:26 , George Flood
Round 9
Bruising stuff in a close ninth as Ball steps on the gas again, getting inside and letting his hands go in those furious bursts.
He’s been so vulnerable to Ford’s stylish uppercut all night though.
Ford is so smooth and does some really eye-catching work when he’s locked in.
I feel like he’s absorbing these furious attacks from Ball much better now – a few inevitably get through, but a lot of them are deflected.
I will be fascinated to learn how the judges are seeing this. Not an easy fight to score at all.
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
21:22 , George Flood
Nick Ball’s face is certainly showing the effects of the power of Ford…
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
21:21 , George Flood
Round 8
Some treatment to the nose of Ball before the start of round eight after that crushing left hand from Ford.
Is it broken?
Ford is starting to go through the gears now, he’s upping his work rate and the volume of punches.
He’s landing some lovely shots from the mid-range, keeping the relentless Ball at bay a bit more frequently.
Blood again smeared all over the face and white shorts of Ball.
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
21:17 , George Flood
Round 7
The best round of the fight so far from Ford, who finds his range with a powerful looping left hand that lands right on the mark.
He follows it up with another sharp left hand from close range and now there’s blood smeared all over the face of Ball, who clearly felt that.
It doesn’t change his approach, but that will have given the champion a lot of confidence.
Can he build on it or will the indefatigable Ball bounce back quickly?
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
21:13 , George Flood
Round 6
The pace is just absolutely relentless from Ball, the conditioning is always extraordinary.
He gets caught with some sharp blows up close in the sixth, but he’s still so ultra-aggressive on the front foot and absolutely swarming Ford at every opportunity.
It’s a great way to keep winning rounds…
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
21:08 , George Flood
Round 5
This is really good stuff from Ball now, he’s always forcing the pace and throwing so many punches in a blur of non-stop aggression that is really unsettling the champion.
He’s showing good variety and snap on those plentiful shots, including a lovely left uppercut that buzzes Ford.
3-2 to Ball through five?
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
21:05 , George Flood
Round 4
What a left hand from Ball that lands flush upstairs on Ford!
This is such an absorbing clash through four.
Ball ups the tempo again in the fourth, he’s far busier and more aggressive and is wearing down the WBA champion.
Some nice work from Ford so far tonight, but it’s a little inconsistent and he looks a bit rattled when Ball manages to get in close and let his hands fly.
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
21:00 , George Flood
Round 3
So many furious close-range exchanges so far in this engrossing contest.
It’s the sort of range Ball always has to fight at given his size.
He has some more success by getting inside and letting the punches fly in bunches, but he’s also caught several times by some classy counters and Ford settles into his rhythm.
Some really nice work from the American to counter those rushes with some accurate long shots.
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
20:56 , George Flood
Round 2
An all-action second round – as if anyone expected anything less from this fight.
Ball on the front foot and so aggressive, looking to get inside and inflict a lot of damage to the body of the much bigger Ford.
But some classy work done there by Ford early and in the middle of the round, with a strong finish by Ball as he backs the American up against the ropes and unloads to the body again before the bell.
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
20:52 , George Flood
Round 1
Hard not to be distracted by a particularly dazzling pair of trunks being sported by Ford here!
A fast start from the diminutive Ball, who in trademark style looks to get in close and lets his hands go early – backing Ford up against the ropes.
A promising opening round for the man from Liverpool.
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
20:47 , George Flood
Here we go then!
Can Matchroom get on the board, or will Queensberry extend their early lead and Nick Ball realise his world title dream at the second time of asking?
This could be an absolute war…
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
20:39 , George Flood
This really should have been a unification clash, with Ball controversially denied the WBC featherweight title in a contentious split draw against Mexico’s Rey Vargas on the Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou undercard in Riyadh in March.
Ball is 19-0-1 with 11 knockouts.
American Ford has had a superb rise and won the vacant WBA strap with a last-round stoppage of Uzbekistan’s Otabek Kholmatov in New York in March.
He’s 15-0-1 as a pro, having drawn with Aaron Perez in 2021.
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball up next
20:35 , George Flood
Matchroom need a quick response here after that opening upset, with Ray Ford looking to do the honours in the second fight next up as he defends his WBA world featherweight title for the first time against Liverpool’s Nick Ball.
20:33 , George Flood
A vintage Willy Hutchinson post-fight interview, when he spends much of it talking about how good-looking he is.
He’s certainly a character!
With that WBC Silver belt draped on his shoulder, he moves to 18-1 with his best career win and best win up at 175lbs.
For Richards, a fourth pro defeat as he drops to 18-4. Where does he go after that?
Willy Hutchinson beats Craig Richards to put Queensberry 1-0 up
20:23 , George Flood
116-112, 117-111, 119-109 – all in favour of Willy Hutchinson, who picks up the WBC Silver light-heavyweight title.
That certainly goes down as an upset.
Queensberry go 1-0 up on Matchroom out of the gate!
A big blow for Hearn and Co…
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
20:21 , George Flood
What an opening fight in Riyadh!
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
20:20 , George Flood
Round 12
Another great round, with both men feeling the pace after a couple of absolute thrillers.
Richards wants the knockout, but Hutchinson is rightly wary of putting himself in danger so late on.
The final bell sounds and Hutchinson looks very confident that he’s just secured an upset and the biggest victory of his 19-fight professional career to date to put Queensberry 1-0 up.
We await the judges’ scorecards…
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
20:17 , George Flood
Here we go!
Is there an explosive last-gasp stoppage to come?
Hutchinson must still be ahead on the cards, can he successfully negotiate the final three minutes for a big upset to get Queensberry off and running?
Richards surely needs a knockout. And he’ll definitely go for it…
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
20:15 , George Flood
Round 11
Captivating, gruelling stuff as both men continue to trade huge punches in the penultimate round.
Richards has a second wind after almost getting knocked down in the 10th, with Hutchinson feeling the pace as he also absorbs some heavy punishment.
You can’t take your eyes off this for a second!
Blood around the nose of Hutchinson now after Richards comes roaring back.
The last round will surely be another cracker.
Remember, a stoppage from either man would secure their team two points to open the night.
It’s one point for a win on the cards and none for a draw.
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
20:11 , George Flood
Round 10
Brilliant action in the 10th as a firefight develops in the middle of the ring!
Richards is going for it as he seeks a knockout, knowing how far behind he must surely be on the cards.
Hutchinson is matching the aggression with some big bombs of his own in superbly entertaining action.
Richards forces Hutchinson against the ropes before the latter is handed a ticking off by the referee.
He responds by landing some big right hands, but Richards eats them and throws some of his own! Superb stuff.
Hutchinson continues to rain down some huge punches as Richards, who looks out on his feet, just about manages to stay upright.
What a fantastic round. Wow.
Not sure how Richards got through that.
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
20:06 , George Flood
Round 9
Probably knowing he is behind on the cards, Richards is walking down Hutchinson repeatedly now as he looks to force the pace but is getting peppered with some lovely counters.
Terrific footwork, anticipation and counter-attacking execution from the Scot, who looks so much faster and more agile.
Another Hutchinson round in the bag!
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
20:03 , George Flood
Round 8
Far more aggressive now from Richards, who has taken so long to get going tonight – maybe not a surprise given his long ring absences in recent years.
A certain degree of rust is inevitable.
He’s walking him down and throwing a lot to the body, trying to sap those energy reserves of ‘Braveheart’.
However, he’s also caught with a lovely counter short left uppercut off the ropes and Hutchinson also has success going to the body.
A close, close round, that and it ends with a bit of an untidy scuffle.
This is getting very interesting!
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
20:00 , George Flood
Round 7
It looks like a familiar story in the seventh before Richards finally seems to wake up.
He lands a few nice shots and takes probably his first round of the fight, though you could also make an argument that he also shaded the fourth.
Plenty of work yet to do for the Londoner…
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
19:56 , George Flood
Round 6
Richards steps up his work rate again, but he’s still being outworked and outthought here.
Hutchinson is keeping his focus so well, landing the scoring punches in bunches and piecing the eye-catching combinations together.
Is he 6-0 up here?!
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
19:52 , George Flood
Round 5
Hutchinson attacks furiously again midway through the fifth, peppering Richards with powerful blows that force him back against the ropes once again.
The Scot is fighting so well at the moment, looking sharp and accurate with excellent variety, not wasting his energy.
Really impressive stuff from the so-called underdog through five.
Richards needs to respond.
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
19:46 , George Flood
Round 4
Richards finally starts trying to up his own tempo at the start of the fourth, having let those opening three slip away.
He’s jabbing more effectively and now the two men trade blows furiously in the middle of the ring, Richards attacking with that low lead hand but almost walking onto a right hand over the top.
Better from ‘The Spider’, though.
He started way too passively.
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
19:43 , George Flood
Round 3
Richards is looking a little sluggish and one-dimensional so far, Hutchinson is far more aggressive and sprightly.
Hutchinson pounces again towards the end of the third, digging to the body and then cracking in the right hook upstairs.
It forces Richards back to the ropes and another right hand lands.
Another round for Hutchinson!
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
19:38 , George Flood
Round 2
Hutchinson with an explosive charge at the start of the second, landing heavy blows with both hands and utilising his speed.
His approach is causing some issues for Richards.
The Scot looking quicker and more explosive so far.
Richards is trying to feel his way into this, move his feet and catch Hutchinson on the counter.
First couple of rounds shaded by the Scot for Queensberry?
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
19:33 , George Flood
Round 1
Hutchinson on the offensive early on, walking down the older and more experienced Richards.
Both men try to get to work behind the jab, with some notable initial flurries at close range.
Hutchinson switching stances as he looks to bamboozle Richards.
A cagey end to the opening round.
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
19:31 , George Flood
Seconds out – round one!
Officially underway in this Matchroom vs Queensberry 5v5 event in Riyadh.
Which team will get off to a winning start?
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
19:25 , George Flood
Here comes Craig Richards!
He is the heavy favourite for this opening bout, having fought at a much higher level than Willy Hutchinson.
But will ring rust play a part after those long absences?
How much does he have left in the tank?
Former highly-rated amateur Hutchinson is a real wildcard who has gone through the weights and would love nothing more than to kick off this unique team event with a big upset for Queensberry.
Can he rise to the occasion on his first real test at light-heavy?
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
19:19 , George Flood
Tonight’s opening bout is just Craig Richards’ third fight since October 2021.
‘The Spider’ from south London, the former British and WBA Continental light-heavyweight champion, famously gave Dmitry Bivol somewhat of a test when competing for the WBA world title before being outpointed in Manchester in May 2021.
He later stopped Marek Matyja in the same year but was out of the ring until May 2022, when he was edged out by Joshua Buatsi in a gruelling 12-round eliminator war at the O2 Arena.
He then spent nearly two years out of the ring before coming back with a determined seventh-round stoppage of Boris Crighton in February.
Richards recently turned 34 and his record stands at 18-3-1 (11 KOs), with those defeats to Buatsi, Bivol and Frank Buglioni.
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards up first
19:11 , George Flood
Tonight’s card will be underway shortly with Queensberry’s Willy Hutchinson meeting Craig Richards for the WBC Silver light-heavyweight title.
Scottish former youth middleweight world champion Hutchinson is the 17-1 (13 KOs) WBC International title-holder, having knocked out Ezequiel Maderna at York Hall last May and then retained the belt with an early stoppage of Martin Houben at the same venue just over two months ago.
He has reeled off four wins in a row now since his lone professional defeat so far, against Lennox Clarke when competing for the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles back in March 2021.
Stage set in Riyadh
19:01 , George Flood
The stage is set at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena!
Hard to believe it was just two weeks ago at the very same venue that we saw Oleksandr Usyk outpoint Tyson Fury in a delayed heavyweight thriller to become the first undisputed champion of boxing’s glamour division since Lennox Lewis.
Let’s hope for similar fireworks tonight, and not just in our feature heavyweight bouts…
18:56 , George Flood
All smiles from the former-foes-turned-friends ahead of tonight’s blockbuster action at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena.
Let’s see who is still grinning at the end of the night…
18:54 , George Flood
Matchroom and Queensberry fighters past and present have been sending in their good luck messages throughout the week in Riyadh.
Prince Naseem, Tyson Fury and Larry Holmes are among those supporting Frank Warren’s team, while the Matchroom quartet have the backing of the likes of Anthony Joshua, Katie Taylor, Nigel Benn and more…
Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren put new-found friendship aside
18:40 , George Flood
Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren have made plenty of headlines of late after their long-running feud – dating back to Warren’s rivalry with Eddie’s father Barry back in the 1980s – was finally ended and now they are working together happily on multiple shows in a major boost for boxing fans.
After so many years of a totally non-existent working relationship between the pair and no shortage of barbs traded in the media, it’s still a little odd to see them now so cordial.
However, the new-found friendship goes straight back out of the window tonight as the two leading British promoters compete for ultimate bragging rights in Riyadh.
Who will come out on top?
Dmitry Bivol targets routine title defence after Beterbiev blow
18:27 , George Flood
Dmitry Bivol was supposed to be facing fellow Russian light-heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev tonight in a mammoth undisputed clash in Riyadh, with the 5v5 event acting as the undercard.
However, sadly Beterbiev sustained a ruptured meniscus in his knee in training last month and one of the biggest fights in the sport was postponed.
Bivol is still fighting this evening as planned, but in the middle of the bill instead.
He has a rather more low-key bout on tap against replacement opponent Malik Zinad as he mounts the latest defence of his long-held WBA world title at 175lbs.
Libyan Zinad, AKA ‘The Trigger’, is an unbeaten 22-0 (with 16 knockouts) former WBC Mediterranean and WBA and IBO Continental champion.
However, he faces a monumental task tonight to try and upset one of the most skilled fighters on the planet at such short notice.
It would be a huge surprise not to see Bivol glide his way to another routine win to ensure nothing derails the Beterbiev bout from finally happening later in 2024.
‘Dynamite’ Dubois eager to tee up Wembley clash with Anthony Joshua
18:06 , George Flood
Anyone in boxing circles knows all about the rumours that Daniel Dubois apparently knocked out Anthony Joshua in sparring back in 2017.
It would certainly add a very juicy subplot if the two British heavyweights were to lock horns at Wembley in September.
“That’s exactly what I want to do. People will then see,” Dubois told the Daily Star of a meeting with Joshua this week.
“This is my chance to get that big fight. But there’s a huge fighter in the way.”
IBF interim title and Joshua fight on the line for Dubois and Hrgovic
17:48 , George Flood
While there is inevitably much attention on Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang tonight, the stakes are arguably much bigger in the first heavyweight bout of the night between Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic.
It was initially expected that this battle would be for the full IBF world title, which was expected to be stripped from current holder Oleksandr Usyk shortly after his undisputed victory over Tyson Fury due to him committing to a likely December rematch rather than fulfilling his mandatory duties against Hrgovic.
However, Usyk’s subsequent enforced medical absence muddied the waters somewhat, with the IBF not stripping him of the belt just yet.
It means that Dubois and Hrgovic will instead tonight go head to head for the IBF interim title, with the winner likely upgraded to full champion status if and when that belt is taken from Usyk.
The winner is also expected to meet Anthony Joshua in a huge fight at Wembley Stadium in September, the victor of which will no doubt have their eyes firmly set on taking on the winner of the Usyk-Fury rematch in a mammoth contest in 2025.
Dubois has already challenged Usyk once of course, stopped in the ninth round of a competitive contest in Poland last summer after a huge low-blow controversy.
He has since rebounded from that disappointment by stopping Jarrell Miller late in Riyadh in December.
2016 Olympic bronze medalist Hrgovic, meanwhile, is still unbeaten at 17-0 with 14 knockouts, blasting out the hopelessly overmatched Mark de Mori in the first round on the same card as Dubois before Christmas having followed up his very unconvincing decision win over Zhilei Zhang with a late stoppage of Demsey McKean.
‘El Animal’ has waited a long time for a world title shot and won’t want to let tonight’s golden opportunity slip through his fingers.
5v5 format and scoring explained
17:34 , George Flood
So just how will the overall team winner be decided tonight?
The scoring system will see two points awarded for a knockout victory, with one for a win on the judges’ scorecards.
There are no points awarded for draws, while respective team captains – Deontay Wilder for Matchroom and Hamzah Sheeraz for Queensberry – can earn potentially pivotal double points.
The team with the most points at the end of the night will be declared the winner.
Tonight’s running order
17:20 , George Flood
Here is tonight’s running order in Riyadh.
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards for the vacant WBC Silver light-heavyweight title will gets us underway, followed by Raymond Ford defending his WBA featherweight world title against Liverpool’s Nick Ball.
Queensberry captain Hamzah Sheeraz then looks for double points as he battles fellow undefeated middleweight contender Austin ‘Ammo Williams’ in a final eliminator for the WBC world title currently held by Dominican Carlos Adames.
The WBC Silver middleweight strap is also on the line in that one.
Then we take a break from the 5v5 fun for Dmitry Bivol’s latest WBA world light-heavyweight title defence against replacement opponent Malik Zinad, before Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic go toe to toe for the IBF interim heavyweight title.
Wilder vs Zhang is the headline event to finish the night, with Wilder captaining Matchroom with double points on offer once again.
Deontay Wilder could retire if he loses ‘do-or-die’ Zhang clash
17:13 , George Flood
Deontay Wilder has described tonight’s clash with Zhilei Zhang as a “do-or-die moment” in his illustrious career.
Victory would no doubt see the long overdue Anthony Joshua fight talked about once again, while another defeat could well see him call time on his 16-year professional career that included a formidable five-year run as the WBC heavyweight world champion between 2015-20.
“I’ve had a successful career and this is a do-or-die moment for me,” Wilder said this week.
“I don’t think the heavyweight division is exciting without Deontay Wilder in it but come Saturday night we will see.
“Will I prevail? Will I succeed? Who knows? But Saturday night is the true answer and we are going to see.
“This could be the end of the career, this could be the final farewell of Deontay Wilder if I lose.
“If I win, of course, I go on to bigger and better things.”
Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang in last-chance saloon
17:06 , George Flood
Boxing is really just firing on all cylinders at the moment, isn’t it?
After all the drama of Usyk-Fury and Taylor-Catterall 2, now we get this truly intriguing, exciting and unique team event that is sure to attract a lot of attention.
And there is far more than just ultimate promoter bragging rights for Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn on the line in Riyadh.
Both Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, aged 38 and 41 respectively, will know that they simply cannot afford another defeat tonight after both being toppled by the resurgent Joseph Parker in their respective last bouts.
It feels like both are now drinking in the heavyweight last-chance saloon, with victory here absolutely essential if they are to get back in the world title picture and chase more money-spinning bouts down the line.
For former long-reigning WBC champion Wilder, his utterly comprehensive but still shocking loss to Parker on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card at the same venue before Christmas completely ruined best-laid plans to finally take on long-time rival Anthony Joshua, who flattened Otto Wallin on the same night.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ has admitted again that he could retire if he suffers another defeat this evening, having lost three of his last four now including twice in that epic trilogy with Tyson Fury that ended in 2021.
That first-round destruction of Robert Helenius on his comeback in Brooklyn in October 2022 is Wilder’s only win since he stopped Luis Ortiz in late 2019.
Skilful towering Chinese southpaw Zhang, meanwhile, was considered very unlucky to lose to Filip Hrgovic before crushing back-to-back wins over the previously soaring Brit Joe Joyce saw his stock reach an all-time high, only for Parker to then twice get off the canvas to earn a deserved points win on the Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou undercard in March.
Who will come out on top in this sure-to-be explosive must-win battle of big-hitting heavyweights?
Wilder gave up almost 70lbs at yesterday’s weigh-in…
Wilder vs Zhang prediction
16:51 , George Flood
The stakes are huge in this potentially explosive heavyweight contest which is very tough to call, with defeat for either fighter another monumental setback that would surely all but end their hopes of making any further impact in the division or ever getting back into the world title picture.
Indeed, Wilder has said he might retire if he loses again in Riyadh.
It is a bout between two massive punchers set up for fireworks, with both men carrying serious power capable of knocking out any heavyweight on the planet and changing any given fight in an instant.
It might be messy and scrappy at times, but expect some massive shots to land… with Wilder’s formidable right hand likely to be the difference-maker, though it is worth noting that Zhang’s only two professional defeats to date – against Hrgovic and Parker – were on points.
It would be a valuable triumph for Matchroom, with double points on offer to the respective team captains – meaning four for a Wilder knockout or two for a decision victory.
Could it be what secures an overall triumph for Hearn and Co when it’s all said and done?
Wilder to win by late knockout.
How to watch Matchroom vs Queensberry 5v5
16:47 , George Flood
TV channel: The event is being shown live via DAZN pay-per-view and TNT Sports Box Office, priced at £21.99.
Live stream: Live coverage for those who have bought the event can be found online via the DAZN website and app or Discovery+ website and app.
Matchroom vs Queensberry 5v5 card in full – plus Bivol vs Zinad
16:46 , George Flood
Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang
Daniel Dubois vs Filip Hrgovic
Hamzah Sheeraz vs Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
Nick Ball vs Raymond Ford
Dmitry Bivol vs Malik Zinad
Matchroom vs Queensberry 5v5 live
16:41 , George Flood
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Matchroom vs Queensberry 5v5 boxing card in Saudi Arabia.
It’s an exciting and unique event ahead tonight at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, headlined by two huge heavyweight showdowns in Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang and Daniel Dubois vs Filip Hrgovic.
The action is set to begin at around 7pm BST, so stay tuned for live updates and results throughout the night.