Is the 5v5 Format the Future of Boxing? A Look at the Matchroom vs Queensberry Showdown

by , 6 June 2024

In a historic event, Saudi Arabia hosted the inaugural 5v5 boxing format, marking a potential turning point in the sport. Queensberry Promotions dominated with a 10-0 victory over Matchroom Boxing. This innovative team-based format, featuring five boxers from each promotion camp, captivated the worldwide TV audience. Luke Andrews looks back on the event and asks, “Is the 5v5 format the future of boxing?”

Two professional boxers, each wearing orange gloves, are engaged in an intense bout in a well-lit boxing ring. The fighter on the left, a muscular black man with a determined expression, lands a powerful punch on his opponent's face, a muscular white man with a beard. The text 'Queensberry' and 'Matchroom' are prominently displayed in the centre, symbolising the rivalry between the two boxing promotions. The background features bright lights and a blurred audience, highlighting the high-energy atmosphere of the match.

The 5v5 boxing format, introduced in Saudi Arabia last weekend, showcased an innovative concept where five boxers from Queensberry Promotions faced off against five from Matchroom Boxing. The event proved very popular for visitors to the best boxing betting sites, as many of the fights were almost too close to call.

Held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, this groundbreaking event aimed to settle scores between Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, bringing their decade-long rivalry to the forefront.

Queensberry and Matchroom Background: Rivalry and Collaboration

The rivalry between Warren’s Queensberry Promotions and Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing dates back to when Frank Warren and Barry Hearn, Eddie’s father, competed for the top spot in UK boxing promotion.

This rivalry intensified when Eddie secured a significant deal with Sky Sports, the UK’s premier sports broadcaster. Their reluctance to collaborate was evident, making this event even more remarkable.

Last October, his Excellency Turki Alalshikh’s involvement in the sport enabled this unprecedented collaboration. Warren and Hearn worked together on the Day of Reckoning card in December, where Anthony Joshua famously knocked out Otto Wallin, signaling a new era of cooperation.

However, the competitive spirit remained alive, leading to this weekend’s 5v5 tournament, where Queensberry and Matchroom once again aimed for bragging rights.

Queensberry vs Matchroom: Event Highlights

Weight Class Selections and Wildcard Picks: Alalshikh permitted Warren and Hearn to select two weight classes each: Warren chose heavyweight and middleweight, while Hearn opted for featherweight and light heavyweight.

Alalshikh himself selected heavyweight as the final weight class. Both promoters were also allowed to draft a wildcard pick from outside their current rosters. Eddie Hearn selected former long-reigning heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder as his pick and captain, while Frank Warren appointed Hamzah Sheeraz as his captain. This strategic move added an intriguing twist to the event, promising thrilling matchups and showcasing both promoters’ expertise and strategic acumen.

Queensberry vs Matchroom 5v5: Key Matches and Results

The night kicked off with a clash between Craig Richards of Matchroom Boxing and Willy Hutchinson of Queensberry Promotions. Hutchinson, demonstrating superior technique and agility, secured an early victory, putting Queensberry in the lead.

Next was the WBA featherweight title fight between Nick Ball and Raymond Ford. The bout was a gruelling 12-round war that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Ball, representing Queensberry, outlasted Ford in a display of endurance and tactical prowess, earning the WBA featherweight title and further extending Queensberry’s lead.

The middleweight contest between Hamzah Sheeraz and Ammo Williams was another highlight. Sheeraz dominated Williams in a final eliminator for the WBC middleweight title, resulting in a stoppage win that secured double points for Queensberry.

In the heavyweight division, Filip Hrgovic faced off against Daniel Dubois. With his explosive power and relentless pressure, Dubois managed to defeat Hrgovic in a battle for the IBF interim heavyweight title.

The final bout featured Deontay Wilder for Matchroom and Zhilei Zhang for Queensberry. Both fighters were looking to bounce back from recent defeats. Wilder was beaten soundly by Joseph Parker in December, the same opponent who also beat Zhang in March.

Zhang delivered a stunning performance, stopping Wilder in the fifth round and securing a clean sweep for Queensberry. The manner of victory was so convincing that many pundits expect Wilder to retire. Since the American’s three fights with Tyson Fury (one draw, two defeats), the 38-year-old has only managed to win once (Robert Helenius) in his last three.

Potential for Future Queensberry vs Matchroom 5v5 Events

Benefits and Future Matchups: – The success of the Queensberry vs Matchroom 5v5 event paves the way for future tournaments. The competitive nature of the bouts kept fans on the edge of their seats, proving the concept’s potential.

Plans for future iterations are already being discussed, including a potential USA vs Mexico event, which Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez could headline. Given the inaugural event’s success, a rematch between Queensberry and Matchroom seems inevitable. Another intriguing possibility is a UK vs USA event, capitalising on the long-standing boxing rivalry between the two nations. Several potential matchups have already been proposed for future 5v5 events.

For instance, a trans-Atlantic clash could feature Devin Haney against Dalton Smith, Nick Ball versus Stephen Fulton, and Daniel Dubois taking on Jared Anderson. These fights would attract fans from both sides of the Atlantic and provide a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills on a grand stage.

The 5v5 boxing format has demonstrated its viability and potential to revolutionise the sport. Creating compelling narratives and delivering high-quality entertainment has captured the imagination of boxing fans worldwide.

With influential figures like Turki Alalshikh advocating for more such events, the future looks bright for team-based boxing competitions. The anticipation for the next instalment is already building, and the boxing community eagerly awaits to see how this innovative format will evolve.

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