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Underdogs: Can Wilder, Dubois, Williams, Ball and Hutchinson tip the scales?

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ONE of the most enticing features of Saturday’s Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5v5 are the matchups that were created.

Promoters Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn were asked to choose two weight classes for this unique event, and Turki Alalshikh – the man responsible for ending the Cool War in British boxing – chose the fifth. With Warren and Hearn talking to each other and working together, the fights have been made and there is something to look forward to.

This weekend, Deontay Wilder, Daniel Dubois, Austin “Ammo” Williams, Nick Ball and Willy Hutchinson are favored to lose to Zhilei Zhang, Filip Hrgovic, Hamzah Sheeraz, Raymond Ford and Craig Richards respectively.

But will they do it? assesses what chances the five weaker teams have to win in Riyad.


DEONTAY WILDER vs. Zhilei Zhang (heavyweight)

Some may be surprised that Wilder (13/10) is not the favorite in this heavyweight fight given his pedigree, but his last performance against Joseph Parker was so terrible that maybe it’s a shock that his chances aren’t better. The “Brown Bomber”, once the era’s most devastating punch, now looked as plain and one-dimensional as many thought it lacked concealer.

That being said, Wilder promises to “rediscover” the aggression that was lost next time against the tactically astute Parker. Zhang (13/08) may not be as delicate as the Up-to-date Zealander, but he has a powerful force that could end Wilder and possibly his career once and for all.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 15: Zhilei Zhang faces Deontay Wilder during a 5-on-5 press conference ahead of their fight in the Artur Beterbiev and Dmitril Bivol WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO delicate heavyweight fight at Outernet London on April 15, 2024 in London , England. (Photo: Richard Pelham/Getty Images).


DANIEL DUBOIS vs. Filip Hrgovic (heavyweight)

Dubois’ career has been full of ups and downs, and “Dynamite” is now one victory away from another shot at the world title. Before he was stopped, the Londoner gave his all against heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk nine months ago. Against Jarrell Miller in December, Dubois fared better against the uncompromising heavyweight whose strongest trait was his work ethic.

Dubois jumped in his face and stopped the American in the final round. Hrgovic, the current mandatory challenger for the IBF title, is a different prospect, but one who projects both warm and frigid. The Croatian (4/9) is expected to be over-skilled compared to the Briton (7/4), but his performance against Miller really boosted his confidence.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 23: Daniel Dubois watches the heavyweight fight between Daniel Dubois and Jarrell Miller during Day of Reckoning: Fight Night at Kingdom Arena on December 23, 2023 in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. (Photo: Richard Pelham/Getty Images).


AUSTIN “AMMO” WILLIAMS vs. Hamzah Sheeraz (middleweight)

Since signing Williams at Matchroom over five years ago, Williams’ promoter Eddie Hearn has always had high hopes for the Texan. The 28-year-old’s progress has been solid but unspectacular, and against Sheeraz he will be up against one of the UK’s most invigorating talents.

This long-awaited clash of middleweight contenders will be a litmus test in both men’s careers. Williams (7/4) may be the type of fighter who needs someone as risky as Sheeraz (4/9) to get the best out of him. The American does most things well, but lacks the same constant threat that Sheeraz carries throughout the fight.

Austin Williams opens for Kieron Conway in Las Vegas on September 17 (Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)


NICK BALL vs. Raymond Ford (featherweight)

Ball was one point card away from becoming the WBC featherweight champion in March against Rey Vargas. Instead, the Scouser received a double draw for his efforts. This time he will face WBA champion Raymond Ford, who won the title against Otabek Kholmatov in stunning style in March.

Ball then faces a more arduous task. Ford showed that he had overdue power, could dig deep and stay in the fight from the first to the twelfth round. But did the Up-to-date Jersey native stay at 126 pounds for too long? Ball (11/8) already knows he’s among the best in the world, and he needs to make Ford (4/7) uncomfortable from the start to see how arduous it was for the titleholder to reach the championship weight.

Nick Ball

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WILLY HUTCHINSON vs. Craig Richards (delicate heavyweight)

Hutchinson has long been considered a top talent, but things went from bad to worse when, despite his relative inexperience, he showed his skills against Lennox Clarke three years ago. The British’s title loss was a painful lesson for the Scot, who won four matches against average opposition. Richards is tried and tested and looked better than ever against Boris Crighton in February, with fresh coach Shane McGuigan in his corner.

The hard-hitting Hutchinson will have to deliver the performance Frank Warren has been waiting for against another experienced campaigner like Richards (8/11), whose defeats to Dmitry Bivol and Joshua Buatsi confirmed his world-class credentials. It’s another leap of faith for Hutchinson (11/10).

Willy Hutchinson


OVERALL VERDICT: If either favorite loses, it will most likely be Zhang and Richards.

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Boxing results: Janibek Alimkhanuly stops Andrei Mikhailovich

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Image: Janibek Alimkhanuly Ready for Andrei Mikhailovich

IBF and WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly stopped IBF Pan Pacific title and WBO world champion “King” Andrei Mikhailovich in a ninth-round war on Friday night at The Star in Sydney, Novel South Wales, Australia.

The fight had to take place in July in Las Vegas when Alimkhanuly passed out on fight day due to weight gain.

IBF middleweight champion Aimkhanuly (15-0, 10 KO) knocked out Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KO) at 2:45 of the ninth round in a fight scheduled for 12 rounds.

Aimkhanuly used his jab effectively in the first round, rocking Mikhailovich mid-round with a left hand to the chin. Mikhailovich landed a solid shot right to Aimkhanuly’s chin after the bell.

In the second round, after a minute of Mikahilovich holding firm against punches, Aimkhanuly was landed behind the head and warned by referee Katsuhiko Nakamura.

Aimkhanuly rocked Mikhailovich, knocking him to his feet. In the last seconds, Aimkhanuly’s left to the chin knocked down Mikahilovich for 8 from referee Nakamura.

In the third round, Aimkhanuly was dominated by Mikhailovich, who fought well but was lost until the bell. In the fourth round, Aimkhanuly outperformed the tough Mikhailovich throughout, keeping the fight single.

In the fifth round, Mikahilovich kept him inside, not allowing Aimkhanuly to break free with his knockout power for half the round. In the last round, Aimkhanuly had Mikhailovich on defense.

Aimkhanuly drew blood from Mikahilovich’s nose in the first minute of the sixth. It was Aimkhanuly who stood his ground, and Mikahilovich came back and fought well.

Aimkhanuly landed three or four punches at once in the seventh set. Arriving two days before the fight may have had an impact on Aimkhanuly as Mikahliovich fought well.

In the eighth round, Aimkhanuly sucked blood from Mikhailovich’s mouth in the first minute. Mikhailovich was punished several times by referee Nakamura for using his head. In the final seconds, Aimkhanuly’s left uppercut injured Mikahliovich.

In the ninth round, Aimkhanuly left Mikhailovich almost defenseless, bleeding from his nose and mouth. Aimkhanuly took Mikhailovich to the ropes and almost knocked him to the ground when referee Nakamura wisely called a timeout.

IBO featherweight champion Mea Motu (20-0, 8 KO) defeated Shannon O’Connell (24-8-1, 12 KO) at 1:06 of the fourth round of a scheduled 10-round fight.

In the first round, 41-year-old former Commonwealth champion O’Connell, who was playing as a substitute, endured a solid round by both her and Motu until heads clashed midway through the round, which resulted in O’Connell suffering a massive gash after right side of the head, which caused the doctor on duty to come and check it out.

In the second round, O’Connell, with blood streaming down her face, fought bravely until the final seconds when she was crushed by a Motu combination.

There was no blood flowing in the third round of action, but by the end an egg-sized lump appeared on O’Connell’s forehead.

In the fourth round, both were landing punches mid-round when the towel was thrown in and O’Connell was concussed by a Motu punch, causing referee Andrew Lazich to order a stoppage.

O’Connell was a true fighter in defeat and was expected to fight for the WIBF World Super Bantam title in Germany, taking the fight on tiny notice. Motu showed her respect by hugging O’Connell after the break.

Lightweight Charlie Kazzi (7-0, 3 KO) knocked out Lui Magavia (4-7 (1 KO) featherweight) at 1:18 of the seventh round of a scheduled eight-round fight in an action-packed fight for the vacant WBC Australasia silver title.

It was a fast-paced action with the taller Kazzi going to the body, ending the round with a strenuous punch right to Magavia’s chin. In the final seconds, Kazzi rocked Magavia with a left hook to the chin.

In the third round, referee Will Soulis warned Kazzi not to stop punching. In the final thirty seconds, Kazzi rocked Magavia with a solid punch to the chin.

In the last twenty seconds of the fifth round, Kazzi rocked Magavia, who took a lot of blows to the head. In the seventh round, Kazzi landed a series of punches that caused referee Soulis to stop play, possibly prematurely, much to Magavia’s displeasure.

Lightweight Amed Reda (3-0, 3 KO) defeated super featherweight Joe Kara (5-7-1, 5 KO) by knockout in the second round of a scheduled six-round fight.

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Who is on the Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios undercard?

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Nick Ball will defend his WBA featherweight title against Ronny Rios for the first time at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Saturday evening. The player is used to competing at world level, but he does not have the pedigree to beat the best.

While the little guys deal with it in the main event, let’s see what else is worth watching on the TNT card, brought together by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.


Henry Turner vs. Jack Rafferty

A high-quality battle of the undefeated as London’s Henry Turner takes on Jack Rafferty. Turner brings his WBC silver title to the table and Rafferty is the Commonwealth super-lightweight king. Add in the vacant British title and it should be a solid battle.

Rafferty fought 10 more fights and impressively knocked out Lee Appleyard in a round. Turner wins over the undoubtedly fading Tom Farrell and Billy Allington.


Andrew Cain vs. Lazaro Casseres

The once beaten Cain can punch challenging and performed well in his last fight, beating British and Commonwealth champion Ashley Lane in five rounds. Casseres has only lost once, and that was on the only occasion he dared to leave Colombia, which probably tells you all you need to know about his chances here.


Jader Herrera vs. Oliver Flores fight

Cuban Herrera rates the situation at 15-0 with 13 KOs. The 22-year-old smoked Andres Navarrete in one round in Belfast to boost his qualifications. Experienced Nicaraguan Flores has been in the ring with Miguel Berchelt and Felix Verdejo, but he is approaching the limit.


James McGivern Reuquen Cona Facundo Arce Fight

In June at the SSE Arena in Belfast, James McGivern defeated Rashid Omar in the second round with a powerful finishing shot. The comfortable boxer sometimes resembles Jack Catterall in that he plays it safe and sound and southpaw. Dangerman Arce is an underrated puncher who has already given Archie Pointed and Ray Moylette numbers this year. McGivern should keep him long enough to avoid such concerns.


Brad Strand vs. Marvin Solano

The Strand local lost his undefeated record to Dennis McCann in his last appearance. The experience he gained that night should stand him in good stead for a comeback. Journeyman Solano shouldn’t cause much trouble, although he has been unstoppable in eight fights.


Ball vs. card Rios – the best of the rest

Morecambe’s Nelson Birchall is losing strength, as is Birmingham heavyweight Boma Brown. Lucas Biswana makes his debut from Liverpool and Walter Fury maintains that family name is significant in super locks. Well-supported Joe Cooper is fighting for the second time since his summer debut in Belfast.

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Liam Paro in the mandatory defense of Richardson Hitchins on December 7 in San Juan, PR

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Liam Paro took the IBF junior welterweight title from Subriel Matias. (Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)

Liam Paro was an underdog contender before his previous trip to Puerto Rico.

This time it’s a man on a mountaintop trying to defend his crown.

In June, the 28-year-old Australian was given the unenviable task of traveling to the Caribbean island to challenge local hero and IBF junior welterweight champion Subriel Matias at the Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu in Manati.

Paro had little chance of winning against the powerful Matias (20-2, 20 KO), widely considered the division’s boogeyman. However, the challenger started swift, weathered the storm in the middle rounds and came home with saturated sails to win by unanimous decision on scores 116-111 and 115-112 twice in enemy territory.

Paro (25-0, 15 KO) will return to the island to defend his title against Richardson Hitchins (18-0, 7 KO) on December 7 at the Roberto Clemente Coliseo in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The battle of undefeated 140-pounders will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.

“All the so-called massive fighters at 140 pounds have lost their tongues, so I decided to start my mandatory defense against Hitchins early and prepare my way for 2025,” said Paro, who is ranked third in The Ring rankings behind champion Teofimo Lopez. “I can’t wait to fight and show again why I’m a top contender at 140 pounds! I’m coming to shine again in stunning Puerto Rico!”

Hitchins has yet to be tested at this level. In his last fight in April, he went to the death against Argentine Gustavo Lemos and won by decision.

Still, the 27-year-old American is confident he has the tools to get the job done.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve told anyone who would listen that I was the best 140-pound fighter in the world. On December 7, I will finally have the opportunity to cement it,” said Hitchins, who is ranked No. 10 in The Ring rankings.

“Hats off to Liam Paro, he beat the so-called boogeyman of this division, but I’m not Subriel Matias. He’s never fought a fighter like me before. He didn’t want this fight, and for good reason.

“This is my unit. I’m a 140-pound man and when I get that belt, I’ll take it back to Up-to-date York and it’ll all go through me. And up-to-date!”

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