PROMOTIONAL POWERHOUSES PREPARE TO COLLIDE

The week that has had British boxing fans frothing at the mouth is finally here.

Five of Frank Warren’s stars from his Queensberry stable take on five of Eddie Hearn’s stars from his Matchroom stable as we FINALLY get to find out who really is the king of boxing in the UK and arguably the world.

With the weight classes picked and the fighters’ picked, including a wildcard pick from Uncle Eddie in the form of Deontay Wilder, the fights are now set in stone so let’s take a closer look at them.

Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang:

A slight cop out when it comes to Matchroom vs Queensberry, but an almighty heavyweight showdown between two of the division’s most engrossing styles.

There is just no way a 290lb southpaw colliding with a 213lb knockout artist doesn’t make for some form of boxing amusement.

Of course, heavyweight boxing isn’t all beer and skittles - both men did put in fairly uninspiring performances last time out, and so will be seeking a swift change in fortune.

But if Zhang can be bothered to hunt Wilder and tie him in his horrible boxing web, he could do some real damage. Whereas the American must ensure that he takes advantage of what is a fairly static and sizeable target.

Daniel Dubois vs Filip Hrgovic:

With a potential crack at the IBF world title and Anthony Joshua on offer for the winner, this one has been a long-time coming for Hrgovic, who no doubt would’ve thought he’d have already challenged for world honours by now.

His 17-fight CV is pretty muffled, with a wrongful victory over Zhang more recently shadowed by a final round stoppage of Dempsey McKean and a round one KO of the man who learnt to box on YouTube, Mark De Mori.

Dubois’ world title challenge ended pretty sourly last summer in Poland, but an undeniable power blended with certain frailty make him a shoo-in for delivering entertainment.

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Ammo Williams:

Although it will always be hard to take the light from the big boys, there is a general consensus that this might just be the best fight of the lot in the 5 vs 5 line up.

It is 19-0 vs 16-0; 16 KOs vs 11KOs; Ring Magazine #7 vs Ring Magazine #10.

Both are ranked favourably in several of the governing bodies, and in a fairly lifeless 160lb division, they are ready to mix it at the top. Their first port of call, however, is each other.

Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball:

You could argue that this one should well be a world title unification after Ford’s savage victory over Otabek Kholmatov was matched by Ball against a straying Rey Vargas.

Both men were down on the cards before their advances swung world title glory in their favour. The difference? Ford managed to make his man cave inside the stretch.

Vargas, on the other hand, hung on against Ball, who himself had to overcome a considerable size disadvantage, creating a cluttered yet compelling 12 rounds.

Now let’s see what transpires when the two men go head-to-head.

Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards:

A fight that doesn’t quite scream Saudi Arabia, but one that both men will argue they more than deserve after chipping away at a bulky light-heavyweight scene.

Richards’ new training set-up bought with it a glossy performance earlier this year, whilst Hutchinson’s road in the wake of his 2021 defeat to Lennox Clarke has been one of destruction, indicated by 16 rounds in four wins.

The pair will know that victory in the desert - and the fractioning belts in the wake of Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev - could set them on path for glory before 2024 is out.

June 1st, superb.

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