Matchroom vs Queensberry 5-on-5 goes down Saturday night in Saudi
The groundbreaking 5 vs 5 event takes place this Saturday, June 1st, at the now famed Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Foes-turned-friends, courtesy of mediator His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Eddie Hearn has pitted five of his best against Frank Warren’s stable, resulting in a quintet of 50-50 contests.
BBN ‘s Editor, Tim Rickson, has attempted to break down each of the five fights with a brief background, betting odds, and a prediction…
Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang
Both boxers are coming off a loss from the same opponent – in-form Kiwi, Joseph Parker. However, their respective fights varied vastly.
Southpaw Zhang (26-2-1, 21KO) floored the mobile Parker twice, with that powerful ‘Big Bang’ right hand equaliser, whereas Wilder (43-3-1, 42KO) was unwilling to engage, uncharacteristically pacing around the ring on the backfoot, even staggered badly in the eighth round and almost stopped.
Both these guys have proven their chin and heart. They’ve each taken some big shots; Zhang has remained standing under the power of his opponents, but Wilder has been floored five times by his biggest rival, Tyson Fury.
But, over the course of their 30 rounds, he showed the world he can take punishment and still get back up to keep going, he has no quit in him.
Against Zhang, his durability will come into question again, because the Chinese powerhouse can really bang, hence the nickname! But then so can Wilder, as his 97% KO ratio attests. Over the course of his 15-year career, he became known as the world’s most fearsome puncher.
Following back to back defeats to Fury, Wilder only managed to fight one round in two years before facing Parker. Months of soul-searching and drinking psychedelic tea, coupled with his inactivity and shattered invincibility, saw a very different version of ‘The Bronze Bomber’ on display in his last fight.
He later admitted to not having a full training camp due to back and forth flights, and found it difficult to pull the trigger on the night, which could explain his lack of activity, timing and accuracy during the bout.
The American has already promised that ‘Mr. Good People’ has gone and that the aggressive Alabaman is back and ready to turn the lights out.
This means we have a shootout on our hands. But which one draws first?
Wilder: 6/4
Zhang: 8/11
Draw: 22/1
Editor’s Pick: We all know this isn’t going the distance! Zhang tires over time, so Wilder could get to him later, but he also comes apart himself when taking too many shots over time. Wilder can KO his opponents at any time though, but I think Zhang may need to ease into the contest to find his range.
This one could come down to who lands first. We haven’t seen how Zhang reacts to going down, but we have seen him fight through adversity in the Jerry Forrest and Filip Hrgovic fights. He is one tough man!
I’m going with the better boxer, Zhang, to win via knockout, way before the championship rounds.
Filip Hrgovic vs Daniel Dubois
This is another cracker! Matchroom’s heavyweight Hrgovic (17-0, 14KO) has beaten the aforementioned Zhang, but it was very close and could have been scored either way. The early knockdown the Croatian suffered was a punch that landed around the back of the head, then he proceeded to take some of the Chinese giant’s best shots as he outworked him as the rounds wore on.
‘El Animal’s’ last outing against Mark De Mori was a pointless exercise and won’t have done him any good in preparation for this fight. 12 rounds with the decent Demsey McKean, prior to that last August, was far more valuable for him, however.
Hrgovic is an all-rounder, able to do everything well, and he came through a tough test with Zhang to prove he is world level and deserves to be mentioned among the top contenders.
Remarkably still only 26, Dubois (20-2, 19KO) has held the WBA World ‘Regular’ heavyweight title and fought the then-unified and now-undisputed world champion, Oleksandr Usyk. That’s a lot of experience for someone so young.
The south Londoner has been broken down and stopped twice in his career, firstly in round 10 against Joe Joyce in 2020, then in the ninth to Usyk in 2023. Both times it was the endless accurate jabs that forced his demise.
He rebuilt with wins both times and has shown improvements as he gains experience at the top level, but he is still easy to hit and there’s constant question marks over his chin.
He took some big shots from the 300lbs+ Jarrell Miller in his last fight and looked tired in the mid-rounds, but he changed his game plan and came back stronger to dominate until that dramatic 10th round finish in the dying seconds of the contest. It was a real test for the youngster and he came through the storm to prove a lot of critics wrong.
It’s not the first time he has come through adversity to turn the tables and triumph. Against Kevin Lerena, in 2022, he injured his leg and went down three times in the opening round. But, he was able to get himself together to fight through the pain to win in the third round. Many saw it as a shaky performance, but he was able to win the fight after an injury, so credit showed be given where credit’s due.
Hrgovic: 4/9
Dubois: 9/4
Draw: 20/1
Editor’s Pick: I’m backing the Brit to do the business. Hrgovic could pepper him from the outside to cause damage over time, boxing clever on the outside and letting his hands go at the right time, but I’m putting my confidence and trust in Dubois to tough it out, close the gap, and win by knockout in the second half of the contest. Hrgovic is quite tall and slender, so targeting the body with those powerful hooks could be the way to go.
I believe Dubois has been showing us many levels to his game recently, so I have faith he will be able to adapt to the danger in front of him, but this all depends on his ability to not get hit and marked up too much, because sustained damage is his undoing.
Craig Richards vs Willy Hutchinson
This fight has recently received the most attention due to the pair having a real dislike for each other as they’ve clashed behind the scenes.
Queensberry’s Willy Hutchinson (17-1, 13KO) is a powerful, fluid fighter, with a crisp jab and strong right hand. Aged 25, he is aggressive and puts his punches together well, mostly throwing in threes and fours. He’s a great finisher as well; when he hurts his opponents, he doesn’t let them off for a single second.
Crystal Palace’s Craig Richards (18-3-1, 11KO), signed to Matchroom, has losses to Dmitry Bivol and Joshua Buatsi, both on points, but he has never been stopped. Against the dominant WBA Super light-heavyweight champion, one scorecard had the pair just a single round apart, and against Briton Buatsi it was only two rounds separating them.
His last three victories have all come via stoppages, in the second half of the contests, so although not famed for his power, it is present.
There’s nine years difference between these two light-heavies. One of which is a cocky, aggressive, powerful young buck and the other a shrewd, skilled, seasoned veteran. Will the young’un be taken to school by the master or could it be a changing of the guard?
Richards: 4/6
Hutchinson: 6/4
Draw: 20/1
Editor’s Pick: The more experienced Richards to use his IQ to win on points. His best chance of scoring a stoppage will probably come in the latter half of the fight, but he is more likely to box clever on the backfoot and grind out a points decision.
But, if it comes, he’ll take it. Richards is patient and calculating, he is in it for the long haul. He’s happy to use his skill to pick away and bide his time, then if the opportunity presents, he’ll take it with both hands. I think brain beats brawn here, though.
Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball
American Raymond Ford (15-0-1, 8KO), signed to Matchroom, is a sharp, quick counter-puncher, who often shapes up in a Philly Shell. In his last fight, against Otabek Kholmatov, he was pushed to the limit in a see-saw contest that actually saw him trailing behind until the dramatic 12th round turnaround. He was badly marked up and heading for a loss until he was able to snatch the victory with seconds to go!
The world witnessed Nick Ball (19-0-1, 11KO) defeat a world champion but cruelly come home without the title when he was given a split decision draw against Rey Vargas last March in the same venue.
Ball took a few rounds to get to the awkward taller champion, mostly die to the size difference, but then knocked him down half a dozen times, with just two in round eight and 11 actually counting. Despite those 10-8 rounds, one judge went against him 112-114, which was a crazy card, and another was in favour at 116-110, but the third result of 113-113 decided that both arms would be raised.
Ball’s promoter Frank Warren was less than happy with the scoring, as were the live spectators and viewers from around the world. The positives to take were that Ball absolutely thrived in his first ever world title fight. Nothing fazes this pocket rocket, he knows what he wants and he goes for it! No caution to the wind! He has two functions – stop and go… there’s no in-between!
Now 27, Ball has been destined to become a world champion ever since he stole the show at Wembley Stadium in 2022 when he battered Isaac Lowe from pillar to post to win in the sixth. He then beat two former world champions before he challenged Vargas for the WBC World featherweight strap.
Now he goes for the WBA bauble and will be determined not leave it in the judges’ hands this time.
Trained by Paul Stevenson at the Everton Red Triangle, Ball is a mini Mike Tyson, he wants to knock his opponent out with every single blow he throws. Ford could likely sit back and try to counter the Brit swiftly and spitefully, but it’s a given that both boxers are going to engage right from the off; their clash of styles will create a cracker of a contest! Don’t blink!
Ford: 8/11
Ball: 6/4
Draw: 20/1
Editor’s Pick: Nick Ball should already be a world champion and the pain of that decision is going to push him on in this second shot at a world title. I believe the 5′ 5″ wrecking ball is going to come out fast and create utter devastation from the very first bell. They both have the potential to hurt each other, but I have believed in Nick’s ability for many years and I have him winning this by knockout. It could be early, middle or late. He has the power and stamina to stop a fight in any of the 12 rounds. I’m leaning towards early to middle, over middle to late.
Austin Williams vs Hamzah Sheeraz
American Austin Williams (16-0, 11KO), signed to Matchroom, has already beaten two Brits in Keiron Conway and River Wilson-Bent. He is powerful and aggressive, but this an acid test for both men.
Queensberry’s standout star Hamzah Sheeraz (19-0, 15KO) has also defeated River Wilson-Bent, much quicker than Williams did, getting the job done in just two rounds compared to the eight it took Austin.
The Frank Warren fighter is coming off a career-best win over world title contender Liam Williams, who was clearly past his best, but it was still a devastating performance to KO him in the first round and count as a statement win.
The 25-year-old appears to be well into his stride and fully confident in his style and power, which is why his last 13 fights have ended via KO.
He will have a significant height and reach advantage in this fight too. Austin is a bit more compact and solid, so he could be a smaller target and able to get inside of those long levers to land his short hooks to damaging effect. It will be up to Sheeraz to keep it long and dictate the pace behind those rangy limbs.
Williams: 15/8
Sheeraz: 1/2
Draw: 20/1
Editor’s Pick: Although I believe this will be a very hard and close fight for Sheeraz, it’s one of the five I find hardest to call in terms of how it could play out, but I think his confidence and momentum will see him as the stronger competitor to win by knockout.
I can just see the Brit catching the American with that stiff jab and either flooring or staggering him enough to be able to go in for the kill. It’s very possible this goes to points as well. But Sheeraz is one of those special talents that is so composed and confident in his ability that you just can’t bet against him. I assume he will use his reach and size advantage to keep the American on the end of his fists.
Final Picks
Daniel Dubois (QP)-Filip Hrgovic (MB)
Zhilei Zhang (QP)-Deontay Wilder (MB)
Willy Hutchinson (QP)-Craig Richards (MB)
Nick Ball (QP)-Raymond Ford (MB)
Hamzah Sheeraz (QP)-Austin Williams (MB)
Queensberry Promotions 4 – Matchroom Boxing 2
