In March, his Excellency Turki Alalshikh, who’s chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Common Leisure Authority, introduced {that a} showdown would happen as a matter of satisfaction between two of boxing’s main promoters. Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom boxing was requested to decide on 5 of it’s steady mates to be able to face off towards 5 contenders which might be contracted to Frank Warren’s Queensberry promotion. This week, these boxers have been formally introduced for the 5 vs 5 boxing occasion card.
When Will the 5 vs 5 Boxing Match Take Place?
The 5 vs 5 card will characteristic as a part of a blockbuster occasion headlined by the Undisputed championship of the world bout between gentle heavyweights Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. In anticipation of the conflict between the 2 promotional giants within the 5 vs 5 battle, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh instructed reporters: “The 5 vs 5 match is among the standout occasions on Riyadh’s calendar this yr.”
The present is about for June 1 in Saudi Arabia and will likely be broadcast reside world wide.
Who’re the Ten Contenders within the 5 vs 5 Boxing Occasion?
The matches have been set and the ten contenders have been revealed as follows:
Queensberry’s Daniel Dubois (20-2, with 19 KOs) is the younger UK powerhouse who was a latest challenger to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk. Dubois will go up towards IBF No.1 contender Filip Hrgovic (17-0, with14 KOs) on behalf of Matchroom in a battle that may even decide who will likely be first in line to battle for the IBF World Heavyweight title later this yr.
In one other heavyweight conflict, Chinese language big “Massive Bang” Zhilei Zhang (26-2-1, with 21 KOs) has been chosen to characterize Queensberry. The 40-year-old southpaw takes on Matchroom decide and former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (43-3-1, with 42 KOs).
At featherweight, in what many predict will likely be a battle of the yr contender, Queensberry’s Nick Ball, (19-0-1, with 11 KOs), and Matchroom’s American world champion Ray Ford, (15-0-1, with 8 KOs), will sq. off for Ford’s WBA World Featherweight championship.
A basic middleweight encounter additionally seems probably when Queensberry’s undefeated Hamzah Sheeraz, the WBC Silver and Commonwealth champion (19-0 with 15 KOs), trades blows with Matchroom’s USA contender Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, who has impressively assembled a file of 16-0, with 11 KOs.
Queensberry gentle heavyweight and former World Novice champion Willy Hutchinson (17-1, 13 with KOs), is hailed as one of many brightest skills in British boxing and the present WBC Worldwide champion. He’ll face Matchroom’s former British champion and WBA world title challenger Craig ‘Spider’ Richards (18-3-1, 11 with KOs) to spherical off the cardboard.
What’s at Stake for Queensberry and Matchroom?
Relatively than prize cash or titles, it’s satisfaction that’s at steak when two of the world’s main boxing promoters put their reputations on the road. “The night time of June 1 will mark an exhilarating and spectacular return to Riyadh, the place the satisfaction and repute of two corporations will likely be at stake within the 5 vs 5 idea that neither promoter dares to ponder shedding!” mentioned Queensberry’s Frank Warren this week. “Our 5 chosen champions are able to rule in Riyadh.”
Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn commented; “The perfect Sport stems from the best rivalries. And on June 1, I’m assured Matchroom will reign supreme over Queensberry. I’ve assembled a workforce of elite world beaters who’re able to do the enterprise. Dropping isn’t an choice … I’m certain this unprecedented five-versus-five would be the first of many duels with Frank Warren and his workforce—and will the very best man win!”