Deontay Wilder was KO'd in his make-or-break fight against Zhilei Zhang on the Matchroom vs Queensberry 5vs5 card.
'The Bronze Bomber' failed to ever get going against fellow KO artist Zhang and was dropped in the fifth round by two right hands. Wilder made it back to his feet by the fight was waved off as he was beaten for the third time in his last four fights. Daniel Dubois picked up the biggest win of his career by stopping Filip Hrgovic in the co-main event.
It was a whitewash for Queensberry Promotions who won the night by 10-0. Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn was gracious in defeat and admitted he was gutted to lose bragging rights to rival promoter Frank Warren. Follow the best reaction right here...
"I always felt we picked a very strong team. I said all of my guys were here to win and they did in style. Some cracking and close fights, I'm sure everybody enjoyed it because it was a brilliant concept," Warren said.
"The main thing is the card was inciredble. I put on a brave face but I'm gutted, because I beleived we would come away victorious. We kept clutching at straws as the night went on, I want the rematch. We are going to run it back, this is just the beginning of this concept," Hearn said after the event.
Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua is 'nailed on' to fight Fury or Wilder this year
That KO for Zhang means it's a whitewash for Queensberry, who beat Matchroom by 10-0.
Queensberry boss Frank Warren is presented with a $3million cheque in the ring for his team's win.
A sad showing from Wilder who never got going in the fight, but a great return to the win column for Zhang. The Chinese KO artist is now back in the mix with the top heavyweights after the biggest win of his career.
"I learned a lot from my loss to [Joseph] Parker. I had to stay focused from the moment the bell rings. I had to avoid his right hand but I successfully took that away," Zhang said after his win.
Official result: Zhilei Zhang bts Deontay Wilder by KO - Round 5, 1:51
It's a BIG win for BIG Bang... And an even bigger win for Queensberry...
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) June 2, 2024
#QueensberryVsMatchroom #5vs5 @DAZNBoxing #ZhangWilder pic.twitter.com/1IQcAysYeS
Big right hand lands for Zhang and Wilder turns his back, another right hand and he is down! He just beats the count but the fight is waved off, that could be the end for ‘The Bronze Bomber.
Wilder is really struggling to pull the trigger and Zhang is easily winning these rounds because of the American’s inactivity. Another good lead hook lands for Zhang, not good so far for Wilder.
Wilder looks unsteady on his feet and is putting himself in a corner. Good bodywork from Zhang. Another nervy round for ‘The Bronze Bomber’ who looks like a shell of his former self.
Good flurry from Zhang! He backs Wilder into a corner and unloads, but Wilder is trying his best to counter. Lead hook for Zhang lands, great shot. Another good round for 'Big Bang'.
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Good opening round for Zhang, who is forcing Wilder against the ropes and mixing up his shot selection. Nothing major landed for either man, but Wilder does look more aggressive than in his last fight against Joseph Parker.
It's (finally) time for the main event between Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang...
8-0 for Queensberry, can Wilder score some consolation points?
This is close to being a whitewash for Queensberry over Matchroom as Dubois' TKO win against Hrgovic means it's now 8-0.
What a win for Dubois. The Brit was losing the opening rounds against Filip Hrgovic but came back strong to get the stoppage thanks to two nasty cuts on Hrgovic's eyebrows.
"I have full respect for Hrgovic, he is a good fighter. To come through that was a learning experience for me, onto the next. I was a bit to cold to start off with, but my corner has been supporting me since day one and we come through anything," Dubois said.
Official result: Daniel Dubois bts Filip Hrgovic by TKO - Round 8, 0:57
Congratulations, @danieldubois_
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) June 1, 2024
#QueensberryVsMatchroom
Game, set, match.#DuboisHrgvovic #5vs5 #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/wS49hEtOse
The referee takes a close look at Hrgovic’s eye and the fight is waved off! What a win for Dubois! The Brit proves his doubters wrong again.
Better work from Dubois, who backs Hrgovic up against the ropes and works on the inside. Double jab and right hand from Dubois hurts Hrgovic! Left hook from Dubois and the Croatian is saved by the bell. What a round from Dubois... Hrgovic is a bloody mess.
Hrgovic is getting the better of many of these rounds and Dubois continues to get caught by the Croatian’s right hand. More activity needed from Dubois in the second half of this fight.
Good right hand from Hrgovic puts Dubois on the backfoot. Hrgovic’s face is a bloody mess but he’s fighting well in this round as Dubois looks to clinch. Another two-punch combination lands for Hrgovic and Dubois comes back with a right hand of his own.
Dubois comes out aggressive again but Hrgovic is finding his rhythm. Dubois’ dad is almost in the ring as he encouraged his soon from the corner. The cut on Hrgovic’s right eyebrow is BIG. Another evenly contested round.
Hrgovic is cut next to his right eye and Dubois lands another big right hand. Double jab by Hrgovic followed by a right hand. Back and forth action with both men having their moments throughout the first three rounds.
Dubois is getting caught with some big right hands. The Brit lands a big shot of his own and follows up with a left hook, but Hrgovic takes it well. Good double jab from Dubois and he backs Hrgovic up against the ropes. A better round for the Brit.
Strong start for Hrgovic, who is connecting with some big punches early on. Overhand right lands for Dubois but he is caught by another big punch. Exciting opening round.
Daniel Dubois looks to continue Queensberry's flawless streak, but he is up for a tough task against long-time mandatory world title challenger Filip Hrgovic.
Frank Warren watches on as DDD gets ready for WAR #QueensberryvsMatchroom | NOW | @boxingontnt | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/aoOXnVoH11
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) June 1, 2024
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will fight for the undisputed light-heavyweight world titles on October 12!
It wasn't as easy as many fans thought it would be, but Bivol wins his first fight by TKO in SIX YEARS as he stops Malik Zinad in the sixth round.
That win WON'T count towards the Matchroom vs Queensbury scoring.
"I am happy that I won this fight, great I think, my coach and team are happy. We are professional boxers, we have to change our tactic at any moment even in the ring. I believe my power was always with me and I didn't have doubt about this," Bivol said after his win.
Official result: Dmitry Bivol bts Malik Zinad by TKO - Round 6, 2:06
Big right hand from Bivol hurts Zinad and the Libyan is hurt! Referee Howard Foster is watching Zinad closely and it’s over! The first stoppage win for Bivol in six years.
Anything other than a stoppage win will be underwhelming for Bivol, but Zinad is making it hard for the Russian. Bivol is still in cruise control but Zinad has only landed just three less punches so far.
Zinad’s lead hand is by his waist as he tries to bait Bivol into his right hand. Good jabs from Bivol and Zinad taunts him at the end of the round by getting in his face.
Zinad’s speed is getting the respect of Bivol, the Libyan is proving to be no pushover despite being dropped in the opening round. Bivol is getting the better of these rounds, but Zinad is looking good given the odds are against him.
Blood is already coming from the nose of Zinad. Bivol is in and out of these exchanges before Zinad can even think about getting a punch off.
Zinad looks sharp in this opening round but he walks onto a big punch and is dropped! The Libyan seems to have recovered well but you get the sense Bivol can end this whenever he wants to.
Dmitry Bivol defends his WBA and IBO light-heavyweight world titles against Malik Zinad.
This fight is NOT included in the scoring for Matchroom vs Queensberry.
