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.
Daniel Dubois: ‘Many things make up a heavy hitter – starting with who your parents are’
Major call made on Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed status ahead of Tyson Fury rematch
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight postponed due to heavyweight legend’s health scare
Zhilei Zhang knocks out Deontay Wilder as Queensberry thrash Matchroom in 5 vs 5 event
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Willy Hutchinson def. Craig Richards via unanimous decision 116-112, 117-111, 119-109.
Comprehensive!!!
It’s Matchroom 0-1 Queensberry, with Hutchinson picking up one point for that decision win.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round 12
Into the final round. Hutchinson should win this fairly comfortably if he can avoid any grave danger here.
Sharp jab by Richards, and a cross. Hutchinson’s right eye is sporting some swelling underneath.
A flurry of short body hooks from Hutchinson now. He’s trying to stay light on his feet.
He’s bleeding from the nose but doesn’t care. He’s boxed fairly smartly and elusively in this frame.
The final bell sounds, and that should be a win for Hutchinson, Warren and Queensberry.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round 11
Into the championship rounds. Before tonight, Hutchinson had never been past round seven!
Clean right straight from Hutchinson as he switches to orthodox. Both men land clean shots.
They are utterly exhausted. Hearn and Warren are screaming from ringside.
Richards buckles Hutchinson’s legs with a right and left! Back comes Hutchinson with a grazing overhand right!
Clean right cross by Richards! Hutchinson with a messy left hook and right cross. Hutchinson teeters onto a short right hook.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round 10
Hard body hooks by Hutchinson. Richards fires back, though, backing up Hutchinson and landing a clean overhand right!
Hutchinson is taking too many risks now; he’s in a firefight with Richards all of a sudden, eating shots too frequently.
Hutchinson looks tired. There’s a warning for him for excessive holding. A couple of wild misses follow for Richards, and Hutchinson lands two big rights!
It’s gotten very sloppy, but Hutchinson is overwhelming Richards with an onslaught now! Richards is teetering!
Can Hutchinson get the finish?! There’s not much time left in the round... No, he can’t!
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round nine
Well-timed jab by Hutchinson, again forcing Richards to glance at the ceiling. An emphatic right hand lands for Hutchinson now.
Hutchinson is feeling himself, taunting Richards and varying his offence, sliding in uppercuts and curling in hooks.
Still, Richards lands one or two nice jabs. Hutchinson with a series of his own jabs, which hover in front of Richards’s face like irksome flies.
Richards with a good spell late in the round! For the first time in the fight, Hutchinson looks a little perturbed!
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round eight
Richards presses forward with a one-two, but the shots are off-target. At least he knows he needs to increase the tempo.
Both men land simultaneous jabs, snapping back their heads. A swiping left hook just misses for Hutchinson.
Clean, short left hook for Hutchinson now! Lovely shot.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round seven
Into the second half of the fight. Now Hutchinson holds the centre of the ring and jabs to the body.
Both fighters land jabs upstairs. They clinch and trade hooks to the body.
Messy throws by Richards, after he covers up to block some heavy offence from Hutchinson.
A wild left hook by Richards misses. He was very off-balance throwing that. He looks tired, despite a relative lack of output!
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round six
Lots more jabs from both men. Clever right uppercut from Hutchinson, with his back against the ropes.
A long left hook grazes Hutchinson. One-two to the body by Richards now.
This is a better spell for Hearn’s man, who is increasing his output. There’s a “Spider” chant from the crowd.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round five
Another good right cross lands for Hutchinson! Richards with a pawing left hook.
A battle of jabs ensues, and Hutchinson is the slicker fighter.
Again Hutchinson troubles Richards, backing the Londoner into the corner! Richards holds. The boxers separate, and Hutchinson hurls a right hook to the body.
A left hook to the body by Hutchinson this time, as he slips under Richards’s offence.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round four
Richards, despite his struggles in the last round, comes forward again.
Hutchinson turns southpaw and jabs to the body. He backs up to the ropes and keeps his stance very fluid.
As he moves forward and off the ropes, he lands another clean right hand! There’s a clinch, and Hutchinson catches Richards with another right when they break...
Richards again looks to work behind the jab, but he needs something more significant. He’s tagged on the end of a left hook, as Hutchinson stands orthodox for now.
Hutchinson with a bit of showboating late in the round.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments