Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Fight updates and undercard results as Queensberry thrash Matchroom
Re-live updates after Queensberry’s Zhilei Zhang knocked out Deontay Wilder, capping off a thrashing of Matchroom in Riyadh
Zhilei Zhang knocked out Deontay Wilder in the fifth round on Saturday, as Queensberry thrashed Matchroom at a unique event in Saudi Arabia.
The card in Riyadh pitted Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom against Frank Warren’s company, with each promoter picking a five-man team.
American Wilder, a former world heavyweight champion, was Hearn’s captain but suffered a fifth-round KO by China’s Zhang, who capped off a dominant showing from his team.
Zhang, 41, spun around Wilder with a right hook then folded the 38-year-old with another at the Kingdom Arena. Wilder barely beat the referee’s count, but the fight was waved off as the “Bronze Bomber” staggered around.
Earlier in the night, Queensberry captain Hamzah Sheeraz stopped Austin Williams, Daniel Dubois beat Filip Hrgovic by TKO, Nick Ball dethroned WBA featherweight champion Ray Ford, and Willy Hutchinson easily outpointed Craig Richards. Those results, including extra points for captains and knockouts, led to a 10-0 win for Queensberry.
Furthermore, Dubois’s victory claimed him the IBF interim heavyweight title and seemed to set up a September clash with Anthony Joshua. Elsewhere on the card, Dmitry Bivol retained the WBA light-heavyweight belt by stopping Malik Zinad.
Re-live updates and see all results from the event below.
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Zhilei Zhang knocks out Deontay Wilder as Queensberry thrash Matchroom in 5 vs 5 event
WATCH: ‘Big Bang’ Zhang spectacularly knocks out Wilder
It was an incredible knockout by Zhilei Zhang last night and possibly spells the end of Deontay Wilder’s career.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: ‘Big Bang’ knockout seals Queensberry thrashing of Matchroom
Thank you so much for following our live coverage of the Queensberry vs Matchroom card!
Below is our report from the event.
Now, we move over to UFC 302...
Zhilei Zhang knocks out Deontay Wilder as Queensberry thrash Matchroom in 5 vs 5 card
Including extra points for knockouts and captains, Queensberry beat Matchroom by 10 points to zero
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round five
Zhang continues to press forward. He slips a cross nicely, but the next one lands for Wilder.
And another! All of a sudden the American is opening up here!
Zhang blocks a cross and lands one of his own.
A clubbing right hook lands for Wilder, but he’s countered by a right hook from Zhang and he’s out on his feet!!!
He spins around, and Zhang lands another right, which FOLDS Wilder!!
He somehow beats the ref’s count, but it’s waved off! The American is staggering about!!
Queensberry 10-0 Matchroom!
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round four
Zhang misses with a cross upstairs but digs a short right into the body.
Wilder thumps his chest, trying to fire himself up, after he recoils wildly under pressure from Zhang.
Zhang jabs to the midriff, and again, after Wilder overshoots with a straight.
A cross attempt from Wilder skids off Zhang’s forearm. Another comes up short.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round three
Wilder, backed up again, throws a cross to the body. He flicks out a few jabs, but he’s well out of range.
Zhang steps in with a decent southpaw cross. Wilder seems hesitant to commit to his right hand, in case he’s countered by “Big Bang”.
Wilder tests out a couple of crosses, but neither quite lands... Zhang with a left straight to the body, then one upstairs.
The Chinese heavyweight parries some teasing jabs from Wilder, who tries a left hook but to no avail.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round two
An uppercut gets through for Zhang, and he senses a finish!!
He pours on hooks against Wilder, who’s trapped in the corner! Wilder is covering up, but some of these shots are getting through...
Eventually Wilder gets free and circles to his right, but how much damage did he absorb there?
He gets to the bell with some safety-first boxing. He looks very cautious.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round one
Zhang presses forward, pawing with his lead hand from his usual southpaw stance.
Wilder tries a few orthodox crosses throughout the round, but they’re wide and/or short each time.
A tentative start from both men.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
One more fight: Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang.
Wilder is Matchroom’s captain, but even a knockout win and double points for the American can’t save Hearn now; it’s all over.
Can Zhang cap off a fine night for Queensberry with a win, though?
This should be a lot of fun, whichever way it goes. And it might be the last stand for whoever loses...
Heavyweight action incoming. The ring walks are underway.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round eight
Jab upstairs, cross downstairs by Dubois. He’s getting right after Hrgovic, whose left eye is a TOTAL mess.
Dubois backs his old sparring partner up to the ropes, and launches a huge hook! Hrgovic’s defence has totally deserted him.
The referee, Howard Foster, has asked a ringside doctor to check Hrgovic’s cuts... The doctor whispers in the ref’s ear...
AND THE FIGHT IS WAVED OFF! DUBOIS GETS THE TKO!
Queensberry 8-0 Matchroom! There’s no way back for Matchroom, it’s all over!
Dubois hands Hrgovic his first ever pro loss and collects the IBF interim heavyweight title.
Anthony Joshua could be next for Dubois, at Wembley in September...
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round seven
Dubois steps in immediately with a jab and left hook – always a tidy little combination.
Hrgovic has long been cut over his right eye, but his left brow is also dripping blood now.
Dubois is pouring it on! Hrgovic looks so exhausted, like he could go down at any moment!
Two spiteful left hooks from Dubois. And a right hand! Hrgovic is barely standing...
Dubois is warned by the ref for leading with his head.
A big left hook from Dubois right on the bell!
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