The fights were announced today for the Matchroom—Queensberry 5-v-5 undercard, which will air on June 1st on ESPN in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The card did not have any real surprises, but it did feature some good fights, including one world champion and a couple of potential future world champions.
The real gem of the card is arguably the heavyweight match between Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois. This should be an interesting match-up, with the winner in position for a lucrative fight against Anthony Joshua for the vacant IBF heavyweight title.
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang will battle it out in a crossroads fight where the winner moves on to bigger and better things, while the loser could be facing retirement.
Promoter’s Takes
“Coming off a defeat, I think he’ll be more dangerous than ever. I believe this man is going to make a real statement,” said Eddie Hearn today during today’s press conference about Deontay Wilder facing Zhilei Zhang on the 5v5 card on June 1st.
“His career is on the line, and the same with Zhilei,” said promoter Frank Warren.
“I’m very confident. I’m just ready to prove. We had a spar a long time ago, but I’m a different animal now,” said Daniel Diubois about his fight against Filip Hrgovic.
“I hope he’s changed because that spar didn’t go well for him,” said Hrgovic.
“I never thought me and Eddie would ever be working together,” said Deontay Wilder. “This is what it’s about, the best fighting the best. I love the scenery. I love the way His Excellency has changed the way boxing is done. I’m looking forward to the fight. Zhang is a great fighter. It’s my time and I’ve been through a lot.
“Things just don’t change overnight. you have to keep pushing until you get what you want. We’ll see on the night of the fight if I’ve still got it or not. I see this fight as my last chance, and I’m just ready to be the Wilder that I’ve always known. I’ve lost my hunger for the sport, but now I have the opportunity to be around people that love the sport.”
Full Card:
- Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – (Undisputed light-heavyweight titles
- Deontay Wilder (Matchroom) vs Zhilei Zhang (Queensberry)
- Daniel Dubois (Queensberry) vs Filip Hrgovic (Matchroom)
- Raymond Ford (Matchroom) vs Nick Ball (Queensberry) – (WBA featherweight title)
- Craig Richards (Matchroom) vs Willy Hutchinson (Queensberry)
- Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (Matchroom) vs Hamzah Sheeraz (Queensberry)
