Frank Warren saw his Queensbury fighters dominate Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom team in a 5v5 card with the former more than happy to bask in his victory as seen in a social media video
Frank Warren has poked fun at Eddie Hearn after he cleaned up in their 5v5 fight night in Riyadh.
The two promoters each took five fighters to Saudi Arabia for a unique match up, which saw them each have a fighter representing their brands across each fight. It turned out to be a night to remember for Warren, who saw each of his five boxers claim victory.
Zhilei Zhang delivered the night’s knockout blow as he floored Deontay Wilder to win the main event. Hearn jetted home after an embarrassing night, but found himself sat in first class alongside Warren, who was more than happy to stick the knife in.
Hearn put a video of himself on social media with the caption: “When you thought it couldn’t get any worse”. He was sat down and began: “Obviously disappointing night in Riyadh, great show but long journey home now, looking forward to a nice quiet trip…” The camera then panned to Warren, who went on to deliver a host of one-liners that involved the number five.
He said: “It’s a five hour delay, they reckon it’ll take five hours to get to the airport, I’m sitting in row five… anyway high five.”
Brit Daniel Dubois won the interim IBF heavyweight title with a sensational eighth-round stoppage of Filip Hrgovic to set up a potential fight with Anthony Joshua in September. “I’ve heard the next opponent will be AJ, so bring it on,” Dubois said with Joshua sat ringside. He also said: “I’m anxious to become the best – this is my future, my time and time to come through the best.”
Warren’s Queensbury stable cleaned up with victories for Zhang and Dubois coming after Willy Hutchinson, captain Hamzah Sheeraz and featherweight Nick Ball had all seen their hands raised.
Hearn reflected on the night and he said: “Listen I’ve loved it, didn’t quite love the results. We got spanked tonight, but I loved being part ot it, all the build up. I loved giving the fighters the opportunity out here.”
Quizzed on whether Wilder would call time on his career he added: “Look it is up to him, just not letting his hands go, kept moving to the right, walking onto the southpaw shot. Confidence is everything in this game and it doesn’t seem that he has that belief anymore. He tried his best, he talked himself into it, trained really hard, but if it is not there it is not there.”