Chinese heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang provided the thumping exclamation mark on the end of a huge night for Frank Warren and his Queensberry Promotions stable as they delivered a clean sweep to rivals Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn at the 5 vs. 5 tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Zhang’s finish of former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder added two final points to Queensberry’s total to give them a resounding 10-0 victory over Matchroom. Bout winners earned one point for their team, with KOs and TKOs earning two. Each team’s designated captain was eligible for double points.
For Matchroom, that captain was Wilder, who Hearn hoped could rediscover some of the vicious knockout form that took him to the top of the heavyweight division. But “The Bronze Bomber” looked like a man ready to hang up the gloves as he failed to detonate his famed right hand on Zhang’s chin during their main event matchup at Kingdom Arena.
Instead, Zhang slowly, methodically, walked down Wilder before eventually sending him to the canvas with a right cross that left the Alabama man unable to continue.
After the event, an understandably jubilant Warren hailed his team, and the event, during the post-fight press conference.
“We’re absolutely delighted,” he grinned.
“These five gladiators, Queensberry gladiators, delivered in every way possible in some really top-quality fights, some close fights, highly-competitive fights. They’ve done what they needed to do, and I can’t tell you how proud I am of them. I’m very, very proud of them.”
The event itself delivered a great night of fights, and Warren revealed that he and Hearn had already agreed to run it back with another 5 vs. 5 tournament a little further down the line.
“I was just speaking to Eddie, and we’re going to do this again,” he confirmed.
“So we’re going to work on it (and) we’ll be announcing another tournament again soon, another five v five. The concept is brilliant, it’s great for everybody who’s involved in it, and there’s a chance for these guys, from the youngsters to the older ones, to show that they’re still in the game, to the youngsters to show they’re coming through, taking the opportunities.
“Britain’s got a new world champion (Nick Ball). Britain’s got a new interim heavyweight champion (Daniel Dubois). And the mandatory for him, depending on what happens with the IBF, it could be AJ, so that’s gonna be interesting.
“And then we’ve got this young man here (Hamza Sheeraz), who’s gonna get himself a final eliminator for a world title. “El Capitan” – bulletproof performance. He’s now the official challenger for the world title. So he’s got himself in a great position.”
He then turned to the biggest man on the team, as he declared, “The Big Bang is back!”
Warren also said he really enjoyed seeing how his team came together as a unit, despite coming from different gyms and training camps.
“The camaraderie between these guys has just been magnificent, and the way they support each other,” he said.
“The first thing – the first thing – the captain said, he’s just now got himself a final eliminator for the world title, so that his next fight will be for a world title. The first thing he said to me was, ‘FOUR POINTS! WE GOT FOUR POINTS!’ That was what it was all about.”
He then addressed his own fighters, saying, “The effort you guys put in, from my heart, I can’t tell you, you know, you you’ve done yourself so proud. You’re unbelievable fighters, and it’s been a privilege and a pleasure to be part of what we’re doing here today.
“And to all the trainers and the managers. They’ve all done extremely well. I’m glad you’re all with us. And you’ve been working with us and I hope you’re all please with what’s been going on, and we just go from strength to strength together, all of us.”
And, while Warren was in celebratory mood after his team’s shutout victory, the veteran fight promoter had a word for his opposite number as he paid tribute to Hearn and his willingness to team up and end British boxing’s promotional “cold war”.
“It’s fabulous. And I’ve got to say, this wouldn’t happen without Eddie and Matchroom, as well,” he said.
“We’ve all worked together for the betterment of boxing this time around. It’s worked for everybody. As far as putting the fights together, the TV companies, all under the auspices of the Riyadh Season and His Excellency, who’s banged everybody’s heads together to make this work. It’s been fabulous. What a night of boxing! What a fabulous night of boxing.”
5 vs. 5: Queensberry vs. Matchroom – Official Results
- Zhilei Zhang (Q) def. Deontay Wilder (captain, M) via knockout – Round 5, 1:51
- Daniel Dubois (Q) def. Filip Hrgovic (M) via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 8, 0:57 – for IBF interim heavyweight title
- Dmitry Bivol def. Malik Zinad via TKO – Round 6, 2:06 – for WBA Super and IBO light heavyweight titles
- Hamza Sheeraz (captain, Q) def. Austin Williams (M) via TKO – Round 11, 0:45 – WBC silver middleweight title
- Nick Ball (Q) def. Raymond Ford (M) via split decision (113-115, 115-113, 115-113) – for WBA featherweight title
- Willy Hutchinson (Q) def. Craig Richards (M) via unanimous decision (116-112, 117-111, 119-109) – for WBC silver light heavyweight title
