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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

Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Correspondent
Sunday 02 June 2024 10:00 BST
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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.

Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card

Round three

Hutchinson is orthodox for now. Richards jabs to the body. He covers up as Hutchinson rushes in with a pair of hooks.

Richards blocked those, but he was wobbled off balance a bit. Hutchinson switches southpaw again. Another body jab by Richards.

Hutchinson responds in kind, then goes orthodox again.

Two big crosses land for Hutchinson! Richards retreats. He aims to get back behind his jab. Worrying times for Hearn’s man.

Alex Pattle1 June 2024 19:41

Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card

Round two

Hutchinson stays southpaw for now. He jabs hard to the body.

He switches back and catches out Richards with that left hook and cross in the corner! A cleaner land than last time.

He throws the combination again, and Richards looks a little vulnerable right now.

Hutchinson leans back to avoid a right cross from the Londoner. Richards comes forward, and Hutchinson just misses with a counter left hook.

Alex Pattle1 June 2024 19:38

Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card

Round one

Both men stand orthodox. Richards is the more active fighter in the early moments, fighting behind his jab and holding the middle of the ring.

Hutchinson closes range with a left hook and a right cross, which just about land, as Richards is backed into the corner.

Richards circles away and walks Hutchinson onto a jab. That’s been the best weapon of the round for either fighter, but that one-two by Hutchinson in the corner was decent work.

Now Hutchinson goes southpaw, late in the round.

Alex Pattle1 June 2024 19:33

Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card

We get the card under way with Craig “Spider” Richards vs Willy Hutchinson!

This is a light-heavyweight bout, scheduled for 12 rounds. The vacant WBC Silver belt is on the line.

Richards fights for Matchroom; Hutchinson represents Queensberry.

Londoner Richards is 18-3-1 (11 KOs), while Scotland’s Hutchinson is 17-1 (13 KOs).

Alex Pattle1 June 2024 19:28

Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card

Rules/format:

• Each boxer will earn one point for a decision victory or two for a knockout.

• No points are earned in the case of a draw.

Captains (Wilder for Matchroom; Sheeraz for Queensberry) will see their personal points doubled.

• The team with the most points overall wins.

• Per Give Me Sport, the winning team will earn $3m in prize money between them. Individual purses have not been disclosed.

Matchroom vs Queensberry: 5 vs 5 format, rules and prize money explained

Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang headlines a 5 vs 5 event between Matchroom and Queensberry

Alex Pattle1 June 2024 18:20

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