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
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round three
Stern corner work for Zinad, whose coach tells him to “stop talking” and listen.
Bivol’s guard holds up against a double-jab and cross. Then Bivol comes forward with some spearing jabs.
Bivol’s distance management is so good.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round two
Bivol jabs to the body after blocking a slew of jabs upstairs.
Eventually a few get through for Zinad, and Bivol is not throwing much of his own offence.
Finally Bivol opens up with a one-two. Zinad’s own one-two doesn’t quite land.
Bivol steps in again, and Zinad’s nose is leaking blood now.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round one
Both men stand orthodox. Both are unbeaten, though Bivol’s resume is much stronger – including that famous 2022 title defence against Canelo.
Zinad shoots out a series of jabs. Bivol covers up well, then fires off two left hooks.
More good defence from Bivol as Zinad sticks with the jab.
A decent right gets through for Zinad eventually, and a stern jab!
OH! A brief firefight sees both men land a few blows, but it’s a clean left hook that sits down Zinad!!
He beats the referee’s count, but how much longer does he have?
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Next up: The only fight tonight that is not part of the 5 vs 5. Dmitry Bivol defends his WBA light-heavyweight belt against Malik Zinad.
The unbeaten Bivol was due to face Artur Beterbiev, also undefeated, in a long-awaited undisputed clash tonight, but the unified champ recently suffered an injury.
As such, Bivol boxes Zinad here to stay busy, with the Beterbiev fight set for later in the year – hopefully October!
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round 11
Sheeraz isn’t forcing the finish. Williams, meanwhile, is showing bravery to go after the Queensberry man.
But Sheeraz puts his shots together and has Williams staggering away badly... and the referee steps in! It’s all over!!
Hamzah Sheeraz def. Austin Williams via 11th-round TKO (0:45).
That’s two points to Sheeraz for the KO, but they’re doubled as he’s a captain: So, Queensberry 6-0 Matchroom!
Matchroom need two KOs from the last two fights to DRAW tonight; a Hrgovic KO for two points, and a Wilder KO for four points as captain...
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round 10
Prolonged barrage by Williams, who unloads lefts and rights to the body. But Sheeraz seems unfazed.
Sheeraz’s timing is beating Williams’s power at the moment.
OH! Another perfectly-timed cross by Sheeraz.
And there’s the shot! Sheeraz drops Williams to a knee with a grazing right hook!
Williams takes a moment then beats the count – just in time for the bell!
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round nine
Williams starts fast this round, throwing with volume and backing up Sheeraz.
Sheeraz weathers the storm, though, and his output has Williams’s hands flailing.
Williams is laying into his shots, but Sheeraz’s guard is holding up to them.
OH! Sheeraz staggers Williams with a perfectly-timed cross!
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round eight
Somehow Williams survives a brutal uppercut. He throws a couple of flurries to the body, favouring hooks.
Sheeraz with more piercing jabs. Williams looks tired. He misses with a step-in southpaw cross.
Wilder vs Zhang LIVE: Updates from Matchroom vs Queensberry fight card
Round seven
A much-needed spell of promise for Williams, who backs up Sheeraz to the ropes.
Sheeraz eventually circles away and parries a series of jabs. Lovely right uppercut from Sheeraz now.
Williams sees a pair of hooks blocked. Both men land uppercuts at point-blank range.
Triple-jab by Sheeraz, who then walks Sheeraz onto a right. And again!
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