5 vs 5 Queensberry vs Matchroom preview: part 1

On Saturday night, Queensberry Promotions and Matchroom will collide in a unique, one-night tournament in Saudi Arabia.

The promotional powerhouses spent years at odds but have come together to create this weekend’s unique ‘5 Vs. 5’ show. Each has selected five fighters and will pit them against each other on the packed card. For the latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.

The list of fights is as follows with Queensberry’s fighters listed first and Matchroom’s boxers listed second.

Willy Hutchinson v Craig Richards – Light Heavyweight
Nick Ball v Ray Ford – Featherweight
Hamzah Sheeraz v Austin Williams – Middleweight
Daniel Dubois v Filip Hrgovic – Heavyweight
Zhilei Zhang v Deontay Wilder – Heavyweight

So, what are the rules of the competition?

Each winner will collect one point for their team. A knockout victory will earn them two points. The team captain’s points tallies will be doubled meaning that Queensberry skipper Sheeraz would collect two points if he outpoints Williams whilst Matchroom captain, Wilder, will get four points for knocking out Zhang. Neither combatant will earn anything if their fight ends as a draw.

There are five competitive fights on the show and this week we will break them all down. Let’s start with the first two fights on the card.

WILLY HUTCHINSON (Queensberry) v CRAIG RICHARDS (Matchroom)

Hutchinson, 17-1 (13 KO’s), is the wildcard of the whole event. The 25-year-old hasn’t competed anywhere near the level that Richards has but he was a world youth amateur champion and looked to be a special talent as he blazed through the early part of his career. Back in 2021 he came unstuck when he attempted to boil his 6ft 1in tall frame down to 12 stone and was stopped by Lennox Clarke in their British title fight.

Since then, the off-the-wall Scot has reeled off four straight victories and begun to once again show the raw, natural ability that made him such an exciting talent. Hutchinson has played the fool and attempted to unsettle Richards whenever they have come face-to-face. His unpredictable character and style makes him a hard man to get a handle on. Hutchinson is priced at 59/50 with 32Red.

Richards is a rock solid operator

Richards, 18-3-1 (11 KO’s), isn’t the type to get unsettled by Hutchinson’s antics. The 34-year-old South Londoner has been boxing at a high level for seven years. He has lost three times but was competitive against Frank Buglioni and Joshua Buatsi and took the brilliant Dmitry Bivol the distance back in 2021.

The former British champion is a rock solid operator who trains at one of the country’s most successful gyms under Shane McGuigan. Although he has been in big fights, he has waited and waited to be a featured fighter on a major event and will relishing the chance to perform on such a stage. Richards is priced at 13/20.

So, Richards must surely be a knocking bet to get a point on the board for Matchroom?

The pick is for Richards to get the victory but to do so he will have to overcome a strong start from a hyperactive Hutchinson. Hutchinson is sure to make a fast start and his quick hands and variety may cause Richards a problem or two. Richards can keep his composure, bide his time and break down the younger man. Richards to win between rounds 7-9 is available at 6/1.

RAY FORD (Matchroom) v NICK BALL (Queensberry)

The WBA featherweight title fight is the only world title fight on the show. It’s a tremendous battle between top class operators with extremely similar CV’s.

Ford, 15-0-1 (8 KO’s),will be making the first defence of the title he won in March when he stopped Otabek Kholmatov with just seven seconds remaining. The New Jersey southpaw is a classy operator who likes to dictate the pace and distance a fight is fought at. But as his confidence has grown, the 25-year-old has begun to sit down on his shots a little more and punch in combination.

He has got better as his opposition has improved; over the past twelve months he has beaten Sakaria Lukas, Jessie Magdaleno and Kholmatov.

Ford ticked another box against Kholmatov. When things weren’t going to plan, he dug in and found a way to win. Ford is a handy favourite at 4/7.

Ball might just be too relentless

Ball, 19-0-1 (11 KO’s), is also taking part in his second world title fight within three months. A week after Ford won his title, Ball appeared to bully WBC champion, Rey Vargas, dropping him twice and dominating the second half of the fight. Still, Ball had to settle for a split draw.

The all-action 5ft 2in tall Liverpudlian figured out how to get close to the tall, gangly Vargas and has made his bones against fighters of Ford’s stature. Ball, 27, proved that his chin, power and uniquely aggressive style of fighting are effective at the highest level. He earned his shot at Vargas by beating up former world champion, Isaac Dogboe, and he will be extremely confident of imposing himself on Ford. Ball is the outsider and is priced at 11/8.

Ball might just be too relentless and physical for Ford who works hard to make the 126lb weight limit. Ford may be a southpaw but Ball has a way of forcing himself into range however his opponent boxes. Once he gets close, he is relentless. Ford is too talented not to have his moments but he will have to work hard for every second of the fight. Value may be found in betting that Ball will eventually grind him down and earn a late stoppage. Ball to win between rounds 10 and 12 is priced at 17/1.

Tomorrow, we will look at the remaining fights on the show and suggest an accumulator.

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