Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5v5: Everything You Need to Know

For the first time in the history of boxing, we saw two titans of British boxing, Queensberry and Matchroom face off in a groundbreaking 5v5 boxing event at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This high-stakes showdown, which took place on the 1st of June, 2024, brought Frank Warren of Queensberry and Eddie Hearn of Matchroom together for a clash that tested not only the grit and skill of their fighters but also the reputation and pride of both promotions.

The idea for this unprecedented event was born during a Riyadh Season press conference, which was held in London. There, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh took the microphone to announce some of his future plans and wish list.

To the surprise of many, including the two promoters who were sitting side by side, he opened his address by saying he wanted the best five of Queensberry to fight their Matchroom counterparts. Frank and Eddie immediately shook hands on the deal, setting the stage for an unforgettable night that could redefine the world of boxing as we know it today.

What is The 5v5 Boxing Event?

The Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5v5 boxing event is a head-to-head battle between two of Britain’s most well-established promotion teams. It’s a brand new and innovative concept that was agreed upon and organised by both promoters and H.E Turki Alalshikh, who helped bring it to life and make it part of Riyadh Season.

For this boxing event, Frank Warren’s Queensberry and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom each chose five fighters in the selected weight categories, with Queensberry picking two weights, Matchroom two and the final choice of weight was decided by H.E. Turki Alalshikh.

The goal is to outmatch the opposing team through superior team strategy and skill and get as many points for your team as possible. The ultimate winner is the team with the most points after the fifth fight.

Queensberry vs. Matchroom Event Rules

01. Team Lineups and Weight Class Selections

Each team had to carefully select fighters across the assigned weight categories. Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn had to choose two weight classes each while H.E. Turki Alalshikh made the final selection.

In the end, the final arrangement came down to two heavyweight bouts, while the remaining three fights were equally split across the light heavyweight, middleweight, and featherweight divisions, ensuring a balanced representation of weight classes across the 5 v 5 boxing card.

02. Points System

A point was awarded for a win while two points were awarded for a stoppage win, incentivising fighters to aim for KOs or TKOs.

For added drama, any win by the team captain counted double, giving them the ability to add potential game-changing points to their overall team score. The team with the most points claims victory.

03. Fight Strategy

Like we mentioned earlier, traditional boxing rules on rounds, scoring, and stoppages applied, but each fight’s results had greater consequences. This time around, fighters weren't just focused on winning.

They were competing for a bigger goal, which was to help their team secure victory. This emphasis on team performance meant that strategy, pace, and even defensive manoeuvres were often geared toward maximising points for the team.

Highlights from the Event: Queensberry’s Clean Sweep

The boxing 5 v 5 format at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh proved advantageous for Frank Warren’s Queensberry, who won in an astounding 10-0 sweep over Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom. Here is a quick summary of each fight:

Willy Hutchinson vs. Craig Richards

Willy Hutchinson opened the 5v5 boxing event with a win over former title challenger Craig Richards. That night, he not only claimed the WBC Silver title at light heavyweight but built a winning momentum that carried through the night.

Nick Ball vs. Raymond Ford

In one of the night’s most intense battles, Nick Ball clinched the WBC World Featherweight title after defeating the previously unbeaten WBA world champion Ray Ford of Matchroom as a result of a split decision. In what was a high-energy bout, Ball showcased his resilience and skill and managed to improve his record to 20-0-1.

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Austin Williams

The team captain for Queensberry, Hamzah Sheeraz defended his WBC silver middleweight title and earned double points after knocking out Austin Williams in round 11. Coming out victorious as a captain not only gave team Queensberry a boost in points but also improved team morale, which further solidified Queensberry’s advantage.

Daniel Dubois vs Filip Hrgovic

Dubois faced a tough opponent in the face of Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic. Previously undefeated, Hrgovic stood his ground and fought a hard fight, but ultimately lost due to TKO in round 8 of 12. Dubois not only won the fight but claimed the IBF title.

Zhilei Zhang Vs Deontay Wilder

In round number 5, heavyweight Zhang for team Queensberry secured a KO over Deontay Wilder. The decisive knockout highlighted Zhang’s power and ended Wilder’s hopes for victory. This delivered a significant blow to Team Matchroom.

When and Where Will The Next Event Take Place?

There is no official confirmation on when and where the next Queensberry vs Matchroom 5v5 boxing event will take place. The last Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5v5 event took place on the 1st of June 2024 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

If you’re interested in watching or attending a boxing event organised by Queensberry in the future, be it 5v5 or a standard boxing event, make sure to regularly keep an eye out for updates on the events page on the Queensberry Promotions website.

All events organised by Frank Warren and the team at Queensberry are announced on the events page, usually several months in advance, giving boxing fans plenty of time to organise their attendance.

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Who Is Fighting in 5v5 Boxing?

Each of the two participating teams will get to choose five fighters from their respective roster who will take part in the 5v5 boxing event. During the last 5v5 boxing event, which took place on the the 1st of June, 2024, the fighters chosen, starting with Frank Warren’s Queensberry include:

Zhilei Zhang (heavyweight)
Daniel Dubois (heavyweight)
Nick Ball (featherweight)
Hamzah Sheeraz (middleweight)
Willy Hutchinson (light heavyweight)

Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom chose the following five fighters to face Frank Warren’s five:

Deontay Wilder (heavyweight)
Filip Hrgovic (heavyweight)
Raymond Ford (featherweight)
Austin Williams (middleweight)
Craig Richards (light heavyweight)

Who Organises the 5v5 Boxing Event?

The 5v5 boxing event was a collaboration between Queensberry Promotions, headed by Frank Warren, and Matchroom Boxing, led by Eddie Hearn. These two promotions have dominated the British boxing scene for decades, and the 5v5 event was a natural extension of their rivalry.

As we mentioned earlier, H.E. Turki Alalshikh also played a pivotal role in bringing this unique boxing event to life. His Excellency not only suggested that such an event should take place, but his extended support helped make it part of his vision for Riyadh Season.

How Does 5 vs 5 Boxing Work?

Five versus five boxing is team-based, meaning that each fighter’s performance will impact not only their own career and professional record but also their team’s overall score. Each fighter must adapt their approach based on the team’s score and prioritise either aggression or caution as needed.

This strategy-oriented approach gives fans a new way to engage with boxing and the fighters that are taking part, especially as each bout affects the team’s overall standing.

The addition of coaching strategies to such an event also brings in a new dynamic. Coaches from either team must balance out the strengths and weaknesses of their fighters to ensure that the lineup can counter the opposing team’s choices.

Queensberry 5vs5