Promoter Eddie Hearn was left stunned after witnessing his Matchroom team suffer a devastating 5-0 defeat to Frank Warren’s Queensberry squad at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last Saturday night. Despite Hearn’s confidence in his selections, his fighters were no match for Queensberry’s formidable lineup, which dominated the evening’s five bouts.
The Fights:
Zhilei Zhang TKO 5 Deontay Wilder
Daniel Dubois TKO 8 Filip Hrgovic
Hamzah Sheeraz TKO 11 Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams
Nick Ball SD 12 Raymond Ford
Willy Hutchinson UD 12 Craig Richards
Hearn, reflecting on the night, admitted his disappointment but expressed determination for a rematch. “Five nil sounds better than ten nil. We got a spanking. It was a great night of fights,” he told iFL TV. “I hated the results. I’m absolutely gutted. Dust yourself off and get ready for the rematch, which is being planned right now. We shall get revenge.”
Hearn's Hopes Dashed
Heavyweight Filip Hrgovic, considered a key player for Matchroom, fell apart after the fourth round against Dubois, underlining the difficulties Hearn’s team faced. Hrgovic, expected to be a stalwart, struggled after sustaining cuts over both eyes.
“I thought the [Raymond] Ford fight could have gone our way. It wouldn’t have changed the result,” Hearn noted. “It might have changed the momentum, but no, it was a straight sweep. Every fight was competitive, but unfortunately, the coin toss didn’t go our way.”
Hearn also acknowledged that selecting Ford to face Nick Ball was a miscalculation. Ford, already struggling to make weight and coming off a grueling bout in March, was not in top form. Despite a valiant effort, he was defeated by split decision.
The Road Ahead
Despite the loss, Hearn remains optimistic and is already planning the next 5 vs. 5 competition. He hinted at potential matchups, including a significant bout between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois in September at Wembley. “Yeah, it’s a big possibility,” Hearn said about the Joshua vs. Dubois fight. “I’m going to start planning that Wembley card and start talking about the next 5 vs. 5.”
However, Hearn must tread carefully with his matchmaking. While he considers Joshua vs. Dubois, he acknowledges the risk and the need to protect Joshua’s brand. “If Hearn has already decided that Joshua will be fighting in September, he must match him against another soft opponent to ensure he doesn’t lose again,” the article suggests.
Looking Forward
As the dust settles, Hearn remains resolute in his pursuit of redemption. “Congratulations, Queensberry, and on we go. The passion was through the roof. It would have been nice to get the win,” Hearn remarked. Despite the setback, he is already strategizing for the next event, determined to field a stronger team and reclaim victory.
The rematch is eagerly anticipated, and with Hearn’s promise of a more competitive lineup, boxing fans can look forward to another thrilling showdown between Queensberry and Matchroom.
