Welcome to TNT Sports’ live coverage of the Queensberry v Matchroom 5 vs 5 card from Saudi Arabia. It was an epic night of boxing and here are the blow-by-blow updates from a stacked card that culminated in ‘Big Bang’ Zhilei Zhang’s destructivr victory over ‘Bronze Bomber’ Deontay Wilder. Earlier Daniel Dubois stopped Filip Hrgovic in a big upset as Queensberry thrashed Matchroom 10-0.
This amazing event will surely happen again in the future.
You can catch the action in its entirety on TNT Sports Box Office.
A clean sweep for Frank Warren’s men! Warren gets the winning cheque of $3 million.
What a round that was. Wilder rocked Zhang badly but the Chinese fighter held on through this moment as the former world champion launched a flurry of shots. Zhang found a huge right shot a little and as Wilder walked back he turned around and was unsighted as ‘Big Bang’ landed another which put him down heavily. He got up but the referee stopped the contest after Wilder wobbled towards him.
Zhang again slightly getting the best of things, but Wilder also landing with a few right hands but not enough.
Wilder not doing much at all. Zhang landing with occasional right hooks and straight lefts earn him the round.
Zhang traps Wilder in a corner and this time lands a big flurry on the American but he takes the shots pretty well. One round each.
Zhang is on the front foot backing Wilder into the corner but the American landed more shots with right hands off his back foot.
What a fight we have now to end the show on TNT Sports Box Office.
Frank Warren suggests a big Battle of Britain could happen in the autumn between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua.
Queensberry have won the 5 vs 5 and it remains a clean sweep for Frank Warren’s team. And Dubois is now the interim IBF world champion.
The referee stops the fight due to Hrgovic’s cut. The fight was going his way anyway but a minute into the round the referee checked with the doctor who ended the contest. This has surely put Daniel Dubois back in the mix for a big fight – maybe Anthony Joshua.
Dubois is forcing his will on Hrgovic and getting himself back into the fight. He rocks Hrgovic with a right hand against the ropes a minute into the round and the Croat is looking very tired all of a sudden. A massive right hand in the closing stages has Hrgovic in trouble and after the referee separates them he lands two more big shots before the bell. Hrgovic not far from being stopped there.
They exchange right hands early one, but Dubois does better doubling up the jab and forcing Hrgovic back to win a round back.
Hrgovic starts the better but gets a warning for rabbit-punching Dubois who gets reprimand for going low as well. Hrgovic ends the round landing a good straight right and again takes it. He has built a lead but this is still very much a live fight.
This is a very good heavyweight fight. Both are enjoying some success. Hrgovic maybe outworked Dubois but the Croat’s eye is a bloody mess giving the Brit something to aim at.
A good round for Dubois, landing jabs and right hands which rocked Hrgovic back and taking less right hands himself.
Hrgovic starts the round very well, but Dubois has some success as well off his double jab and landing left hooks. Again the number one contender takes the round but Dubois will be happy how the round ended and with the sight of blood from above Hrgovic’s eye.
A good first round with both having some success but definitely Hrgovic’s. He is just that bit cleaner and landing right hands which Dubois will not be able to take for long.
You know business is picking up, when boxing’s most famous voice is in the ring.
TNT Sports Box Office coverage will be live from 7pm. 5 v 5, Queensberry vs. Matchroom costs £21.99 in the UK and can be watched on discovery+, EE TV, Sky and Prime Video. You do not need to be a TNT Sports subscriber to buy this event.
discovery+ – TNT Sports Box Office events are available to purchase and watch in the discovery+ app – on smart TV’s, computer or mobile device, viewers wanting to watch the fight should visit https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/ppv-purchases and follow instructions to subscribe and then purchase the event.
Sky – customers can purchase on channel 490 via their remote control or via https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports
Customers in the Republic of Ireland can purchase TNT Sports Box Office via Sky for €29.99 at https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports
EE TV – Customers can purchase the event via their STB on channel 494.
Prime Video – This TNT Sports Box Office event will now be available to buy and watch on Prime Video in the UK. Customers do not need to have any channel or Prime subscription to access. You can find live and upcoming PPV events in the “Live and upcoming events” row on the Prime Video homepage and sports page, or by searching for a specific event title.
He is the biggest underdog in the 5 vs 5 but could be the story of the night if he upsets Filip Hrgovic.
After hurting Zinad with a left hook, a stoppage looked certain. Zinad bravely tried to fight back but Bivol landed big shots with either hand before Howard Foster jumped in.
Zinad started off with a couple of nice one-twos which got Bivol’s attention but the champion starting to force Zinad backwards as the round went on.
The closest round yet and Zinad ends with a little dance and the two rub heads together before going back to the corner.
Zinad is putting up a decent effort, but there is a class differential and when he loses concentration, Bivol makes him pay with quick flurries. His mouth is also bleeding now.
The round takes a similar pattern. Zinad landing jabs but Bivol’s counters causing more damage and bloodying the Malta fighter’s nose.
Zinad goes down in first round. The challenger landed a fair few jabs but when he tried to add a straight right, Bivol throw a counter which put Zinad down with a counter combination, ending with a left hook which saw him dip to the canvas.
Dmitry Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs) takes on Malik Zinad (22-0, 16 KOs), a replacement for Artur Beterbiev.
TNT Sports Box Office coverage will be live from 7pm. 5 v 5, Queensberry vs. Matchroom costs £21.99 in the UK and can be watched on discovery+, EE TV, Sky and Prime Video. You do not need to be a TNT Sports subscriber to buy this event.
discovery+ – TNT Sports Box Office events are available to purchase and watch in the discovery+ app – on smart TV’s, computer or mobile device, viewers wanting to watch the fight should visit https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/ppv-purchases and follow instructions to subscribe and then purchase the event.
Sky – customers can purchase on channel 490 via their remote control or via https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports
Customers in the Republic of Ireland can purchase TNT Sports Box Office via Sky for €29.99 at https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports
EE TV – Customers can purchase the event via their STB on channel 494.
Prime Video – This TNT Sports Box Office event will now be available to buy and watch on Prime Video in the UK. Customers do not need to have any channel or Prime subscription to access. You can find live and upcoming PPV events in the “Live and upcoming events” row on the Prime Video homepage and sports page, or by searching for a specific event title.
Frank Warren cannot lose the contest now, but there are two fights left for Matchroom to secure some pride and with two knockouts they can secure a draw.
Williams came out in the eleventh looking for the knockout his corner told him he needed, but Sheeraz came off the ropes with a right hand then left hook, right uppercut and another left hook and as the American wobbled backwards the referee jumped in. Sheeraz is now the number one contender for the WBC world middleweight title.
Williams goes down on the bell. Credit to the American, he made life a little difficult early on but Hamzah just waited for his opportunity and when his opponent moved square on, launched big shots. A whipping right hook saw Williams touch the canvas and he took a standing eight before rising just before the bell.
He remains game Williams but his attacks just land into the arms of Sheeraz and he wait until they finish before nailing him with big shots with overhand rights and uppercuts rocking the American.
“All out of Ammo,” a good line from TNT Sports commentator Paul Dempsey and that’s how it looks. You wonder if his corner think about pulling him out in the next few rounds.
The enswell is worked on in the corner by Williams’ corner but immediately Sheeraz’s jab land back on the target. Can Sheeraz step up the pace to get a stoppage now?
Williams tries to come out fast at the start of the round, but he cannot stop the momentum of the fight. Sheeraz’s jab is puffing up Williams’ face which is beginning to resemble Iran ‘The Blade’ Barkley’s memorably grizzled facade.
Dominant round for Sheeraz, landing his ramrod jab with increasing regularity. It feels like Williams’ will is receding.
Williams going forward and punching, mostly against Sheeraz’s tight guard in the first two minutes of the round. In the last minute Sheeraz starts landing good jabs and right uppercuts.
Sheeraz landing straight right hands which wobble Williams. His corner urge him to take his time. Williams knows the task he faces now. He sticks his tongue out after taking a big left but was fooling no one. A heavy right on the bell will leave its mark.
Williams lands a big left hand which hurt Sheeraz and he follows him around the ring for the next minute. Sheeraz got back into the round later on but definitely the American’s round.
Williams with a herky-jerky style. Sheeraz just patiently waiting for his opportunity but landing the few telling blows.
Middleweights Hamzah Sheeraz for Queensberry (their captain) is 19-0, 15 KOs and Matchroom’s Williams 16-0, 11 KOs.
Watch this, plus Deontay Wilder Zhilei ‘Big Bang’ Zhang on TNT Sports Box Office.
For my money Britain’s most exciting talent, but he has his toughest test tonight against Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams.
A big lead for Queensberry and with their captain Hamzah Sheeraz up next this could be virtually over as a 5 vs 5 contest soon.
One card 115-113 for Ford and two 115-113 in favour of Ball. He wins the WBA world featherweight title.
A fine last round. Ball piled on the pressure landing more but Ford landed some huge right hands and a left pushes Ball towards the ropes in the last minute. Both fighters come out of this fight with a lot of credit.
Both fighters look tired but Ford is controlling the contest. There will be different interpretations, but I think Ford needs to stop Ball. My illustrious TNT Sports colleagues Richie Woodhall and Carl Frampton are seeing it the other way.
It feels Ball needs to do something to turn the momentum now. Although both take turns to have attacking moments. Ford is generally measuring the Brit as he comes close.
This is a fantastic fight. Ball is forcing the pace but Ford is just landing the cleaner shots and I think may have taken the lead.
Ford has changed the momentum of the fight. Ball is still willing but the left uppercuts are now landing with more regularity. The last two rounds have gone Ford’s way. This could be level now.
Ball started doing well in defence blocking Ford’s flurries and getting through the American’s high guard. But Ford landed good shots in the second half of the round bloodying the Liverpool fighter’s nose and landing good hooks to body with both hands also.
He has been well drilled Ball, this a closer round but after his unfortunate night on the cards last time out, he is finishing each round very strongly which may have nicked him the sixth.
Ball is taking control, this is a great performance so far. He is not just throwing the left hook wildly now, mixing one-twos with a fine left uppercut. Ford just can’t get on top of his relentless pace which is not allowing him to control the rhythm of the contest.
It is difficult for Ball, any time he drops the pace Ford takes control. Ball takes this round for me though. Probably level at this point.
It is an intriguing clash of styles. Ford having success with his southpaw straight shots but Ball’s flurries are the more eye catching.
Ball landing nice rights to the body and left uppercut up close, but Richie Woodhall reckons that is the shot he has to watch for coming back at him. At the end of the round, Ball forces his opponent against the ropes and lands shots to the body as Ford covered up.
Ball launching in with his left hooks in tradmark style but not landing a great deal with Ford’s slicker one-twos taking the round.
Both have a draw on their record, Ball (19-0-1, 11 KOs) controversially in his last contest. Champion Ford is 15-0-1, 8 KOs.
The second of the 5 v 5, with Queensberry’s Ball hoping to back up team-mate Hutchinson on TNT Sports Box Office.
An epic heavyweight double header coming up on TNT Sports Box Office with Deontay Wilder’s return against ‘Big Bang’ Zhilei Zhang and Daniel Dubois taking on consensus Number 1 contender for Oleksandr Usyk, Filip Hrgovic
Steady on son! The new WBC Silver champion is understandably in buoyant mood.
The Hutch Train wins 116-112, 117-111 and 119-109 on the scorecards, the third a little lengthy for my tastes.
Richards this time seems slower and is caught with regularity by Hutchinson who engages in showboating in the closing moments of the fight.
Richards still walking down his who looks kike he might have felt the effects more from the epic 10th. Richards lands right hands that have Hutchinson wobbling, but the Scot weathers the storm and comes back with shots of his own. Richards’ round but he needs to step up in the next round.
Richards was sent out to land bombs and he dominated the first minute but Hutchinson came back with a big right hand, left hook combination which tuned the tide and for a moment it looked like he might stop Richards against the ropes. Showing his warrior spirit Richards recovered to land a big left hook at the end of the round.
Richards remains too tentative. It does feel boxer’s ultimate opponent, father time, may well have caught up with him – enabling Hutchinson to do the same. Richards is walking him down but Hutchinson is quicker to the punch when he gets there.
Hutchinson not looking quite as sharp and more open to shots as his unconventional defence leaves holes for Richards. Still, Hutchinson landed the more power shots.
Richards enjoys his best moment of the fight as it moves into the second half. A fairly close round to call.
Richards seems to be hoping Hutchinson slows down as the rounds go on but he is not making things difficult for his opponent at all. Richards is landing some shots to the body, but too infrequently and when Hutchinson lands it is more telling.
A fantastic flurry from Hutchinson, landing a flurry of shots. Richards takes a good shot but he needs to find a way of discouraging Hutchinson who is building up a big lead.
Richards a little more aggressive and mixing his shots up a little but again is vulnerable to right hands from Hutchinson.
A better round for Richards, until Hutchinson landed with a couple of big right hands over a slow jab from the Matchroom man. Enough to give the Scot another round.
Hutchinson landed a nice left hook pinning Richards briefly on the ropes and then later a straight right hand. Richards looks a little tentatative. He is landing more but the switch-hitting Scot the harder shots. Hutchinson’s round.
Richards looking to control with the jab, with Hutchinson patient but throwing with more bad intentions when he got up close.
A strange atmosphere for these pugilists. Very glitzy, but few of their fans in attendance to cheer them on.
What more could we want than a near 50-50 fight to start the night on TNT Sports Box Office.
Matchroom’s man Craig Richards (22-3, 11 KOs) is the favourite going into this fight. He is the older fighter though, at 34, has father time caught up with him? Willy Hutchinson (18-1, 17 KOs) is certainly a progressive fighter though worthy of stepping up in class as he is tonight.
What a night we have in store on TNT Sports Box Office.
Queensberry v Matchroom: 5 vs 5
Zhilei Zhang v Deontay Wilder (c) — heavyweights
Daniel Dubois v Filip Hrgovic — heavyweights
Hamzah Sheeraz (c) v Austin Williams — middleweights
Nick Ball v Raymond Ford — for the WBA featherweight title
Willy Hutchinson v Craig Richards — light heavyweights
One point for a win. Two points for as knockout win. Captain’s points count double.
Plus:
Dmitry Bivol v Malik Zinad meet for the WBA light heavyweight title
TNT Sports Box Office coverage will be live from 7pm. 5 v 5, Queensberry vs. Matchroom costs £21.99 in the UK and can be watched on discovery+, EE TV, Sky and Prime Video.
discovery+ – TNT Sports Box Office events are available to purchase and watch in the discovery+ app – on smart TV’s, computer or mobile device, viewers wanting to watch the fight should visit https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/ppv-purchases and follow instructions to subscribe and then purchase the event.
Sky – customers can purchase on channel 490 via their remote control or via https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports
Customers in the Republic of Ireland can purchase TNT Sports Box Office via Sky for €29.99 at https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports
Thanks for joining us for this momentous, first of its kind, event as Frank Warren’s team of five come up against Eddie Hearn’s charges – live on TNT Sports Box Office.
Deontay Wilder v Zhilei Zhang — heavyweights
Filip Hrgovic v Daniel Dubois — heavyweights
Dmitry Bivol v Malik Zinad — for the WBA light heavyweight title
Hamzah Sheeraz v Austin Williams — middleweights
Raymond Ford v Nick Ball — for the WBA featherweight title
Willy Hutchinson v Craig Richards — light heavyweights
TNT Sports Box Office coverage will be live from 7pm. 5 v 5, Queensberry vs. Matchroom costs £21.99 in the UK and can be watched on discovery+, EE TV, Sky and Prime Video. You do not need to be a TNT Sports subscriber to buy this event.
discovery+ – TNT Sports Box Office events are available to purchase and watch in the discovery+ app – on smart TV’s, computer or mobile device, viewers wanting to watch the fight should visit https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/ppv-purchases and follow instructions to subscribe and then purchase the event.
Sky – customers can purchase on channel 490 via their remote control or via https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports
Customers in the Republic of Ireland can purchase TNT Sports Box Office via Sky for €29.99 at https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports
EE TV – Customers can purchase the event via their STB on channel 494.
Prime Video – This TNT Sports Box Office event will now be available to buy and watch on Prime Video in the UK. Customers do not need to have any channel or Prime subscription to access. You can find live and upcoming PPV events in the “Live and upcoming events” row on the Prime Video homepage and sports page, or by searching for a specific event title.
The 5 v 5 scoring system will award the fighter’s team 1 point for a decision win, 2 points for a KO/TKO win and 0 points for a draw, with captain’s points worth double.
Team Queensberry will be captained by Hamzah Sheeraz and Team Matchroom captained by Deontay Wilder.
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Watch 5v5 live on TNT Sports Box Office.
