5-STAR SWEEP🧹: Queensbury sweep Matchroom in first ever 5v5 boxing card!

A concept new to boxing. "5 of your best against 5 of mine". To decide which one of these two historic promotions is the number 1 in boxing. Queensbury and Matchroom have been promotional rivals for decades, and thanks to Turki Al-Shaikh, they finally had the opportunity to flex their muscles and earn major bragging rights inside the ring. A great new concept for the sport and a fitting development in time for the new era of boxing.

Boxing fans around the world were looking forward to the 5v5 due to the number of competitive 50/50 fights on the card. Fighters that included world champions, title contenders, experienced veterans and highly rated prospects. The 5v5 looked set to capture the imagination of fans globally and did not disappoint in a memorable night of boxing. 1 point for a decision win. 2 points for a KO win. 0 points for a draw. Team Captains get double points.

Craig Richards vs. Willy Hutchinson. Light Heavyweight.

To start the card, it was a domestic Light Heavyweight fight with veteran and world title challenger Craig Richards taking on talented Scotsman Willy Hutchinson. My pick going into to the fight was Richards by Decision, as I thought his experience at the elite level would be the difference against the ‘relatively untested' Hutchinson. The underdog Hutchinson ended up proving myself and many others wrong, putting on a slick display against Richards and schooling him for a lot of the rounds. Richards looked lively in exchanges but in the end, the nine year age gap turned out to be a big factor. Hutchinson won the fight by Unanimous Decision. Great start for Queensbury as the underdog gets the upset. 1 - 0 Queensbury.

Raymond Ford vs. Nick Ball. WBA Featherweight World Title.

The only 'legitimate' world title fight in the 5v5 (Bivol-Malik was separate to the 5v5, Hrgovic-Dubois for the interim IBF title). Ford vs Ball had all the ingredients to be a great fight, and from the first bell it was all action. Many thought the champion, Ray Ford, would box on the outside and fight Ball off the jab. Instead, Ford fought on the inside, giving up his height and reach advantage to trade punches with Nick Ball. This suited Ball's style perfectly. A high volume puncher who is never far away from his target. Ball stayed active for the full 12 rounds on his way to a razor close Split Decision victory. #ANDTHENEW. Nick Ball wins his first world title. 2 - 0 Queensbury.

Hamzah Sheeraz (C) vs. Austin 'Ammo' Williams. Middleweight.

Arguably the most anticipated fight in the 5v5. For a shot at the Middleweight World Title. Talented London prospect Hamzah Sheeraz took on dangerous American 'Ammo' Williams. Not only was this fight a world title eliminator, but Sheeraz was the Queensbury team captain. This meant that any points Sheeraz won would be doubled. Sheeraz put on the performance of a captain against Williams, remaining disciplined defensively and punishing Williams with his sharp jab and big right hand. Williams was tough, but the damage done throughout the fight was too much in the end. The ref stopped it in Round 11 and Sheeraz secured a major TKO victory in Riyadh. Queensbury were on a roll! 6 - 0 Queensbury.

Filip Hrgovic vs. Daniel 'Dynamite' Dubois. Heavyweight.

The first of the two heavyweight fights on the card looked like it would be an exciting match up. Interim IBF champ Hrgovic was taking on familiar foe Daniel 'Dynamite' Dubois. Having previously sparred when Dubois was a much younger heavyweight contender, there was history going into the fight. Hrgovic looked like his skills and experience would lean the fight in his favour, but Dubois' strength, athleticism and sheer will overwhelmed Hrgovic. Dubois opened up big cuts above of both Hrgovic's eyes in a dominant Round 7, before the ref stopped the fight in Round 8. A great victory for Dubois, who looks set for a world title shot against Anthony Joshua next. 8 - 0 Queensbury. One way traffic.

Deontay Wilder (C) vs. Zhieli 'Big Bang' Zhang. Heavyweight.

The final fight of the 5v5 was another heavyweight battle. Hopes of victory for Matchroom were dead in the water at this point. Matchroom captain Wilder was now fighting for the competitive pride of the company, and more importantly, his career at the top level. Both Wilder and Zhang were fresh off losses to Joseph Parker, and looked to make a statement. Early warning shots were fired by both men, and it wasn’t going to be long before a big one would land. Wilder struggled to throw his vintage right hand with any real venom, but when he did in the 5th round, Zhang countered expertly with a right hand of his own. BANG! Wilder sent spinning in a full 360 before Zhang added the final finishing blow, sealing the sweep for Queensbury. 10 - 0 Queensbury. And that was all she wrote.

*Dmitry Bivol vs. Malik Zanid. WBA Light Heavyweight World Title.

After the Sheeraz-Williams fight, Light Heavyweight world champion was set to defend his WBA title against Malik Zanid. Bivol was originally scheduled to main event in an undisputed title fight against fellow Russian and Light Heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev. Unfortunately, Betetbiev suffered a ruptured meniscus in training camp. With that fight now scheduled to take place in October, Bivol stayed active against unbeaten challenger Malik Zinad. Zinad was a live dog throughout the fight, even after being dropped in the first round. Bivol stepped up the levels in the 5th round and unloaded a barrage of punches, before the ref stepped in and stopped the contest. Bivol secures his first KO victory in 6 years ahead of his Undisputed title fight.

The Queensbury vs. Matchroom 5v5 proved to be a great success (except for Matchroom) as fans were treated to a great night of boxing. It will be great to see this concept again in the future, with different promotions trying their own imitations of the idea. We will always remember the original show though, and it definitely provided us with some memorable fights. With a rivalry so deep, it's not crazy to think Queensbury vs. Matchroom could be boxing's answer to the Ryder Cup.

- AE