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5vs5 Undercard: Sheeraz, Ball, Hutchinson Win For Warren
With three 5vs5 undercard fights in the record books, it was all Team Queensberry as their fighters scored victories against their Team Matchroom opponents with the two heavyweight bouts remaining in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Sheeraz Stops Williams in 11 Rounds
Hamzah Sheeraz makes Queensberry Promotions head man Frank Warren happy with the third straight win for the team. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing
The middleweight division welcomes a new star on the scene in Queenberry team captain Hamzah Sheeraz of London (20-0, 16 KOs). Sheeraz took down Austin “Tiger” Williams of Houston (16-1, 11 KOs) with a disciplined performance, forcing a referee stoppage in the 11th round. It was the 15th straight stoppage for Sheeraz and the first loss for Williams.
Austin Williams had a good start, but ran out of ideas when Hamzah Sheeraz settled in and took over. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing
Williams started off smartly, but as Sheeraz began to stop Williams from coming in with his jab and following with vicious right hooks, Williams and trainer Kevin Cunningham were out of tools. Williams never stopped giving it his best and scored with a power punch here and there, but Sheeraz dropped Williams at the bell in the tenth round. He made it stick in the 11th by not letting Williams off the hook.
“I knew what I was getting into. He’s fresh, he’s young. Me and Ricky (trainer Ricky Funez of the Ten Goose Boxing Gym in the San Fernando Valley of California, where Sheeraz trains) had a great game plan going into the fight. He’s a muscular lad. I had to slow him down.”
New Talent At Middleweight
Hamzah Sheeraz infuses new energy into the middleweight division. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing
The win makes Sheeraz the WBC mandatory challenger for the belt currently held by interim titleholder Carlos Adames. The WBC World title is vacant, with former champion Jermall Charlo being stripped by the sanctioning organization after having fought just once since 2021 and getting involved in serious criminal charges.
Asked if he’s ready to step up, Sheeraz said, “If I’m not ready now, I don’t think I’ll ever be.”The division is crying out for a star to replace the likes of Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin. Sheeraz is also ranked number one by the WBO.
With the win, Sheeraz scores double the points for the stoppage win at four points, and at this point of the card with only the heavyweight bouts left, Team Queenberry is pitching a shutout.
Nick Ball Hears “And The New”
Nick Ball celebrates his win over Raymond Ford to become the new WBA World Featherweight champion. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing
The featherweight bout delivered all the action expected and a brand-new WBA World Featherweight champion. Nick Ball of Liverpool (20-0-1, 11 KOs) wins his first world title, needing to dig deep for a split decision over Raymond Ford of Newark (15-1-1, 8 KOs). Scores were 115-113 on two cards for Ball, 115-113 on the third for Ford.
Nick Ball was the more aggressive fighter, coming on strong to take the narrow victory against a tough Raymond Ford. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing
The fight was lively from the opening bell and even all the way through. It seemed Ford had the edge after landing a hard shot to Ball’s face and likely breaking his nose. Ball didn’t let the bleeding bother him, pressing on. Both corners and both promoters told their fighters they needed to win the final round.
After the win, Ball said of his broken nose, “You’re going to get hit, it’s boxing … I had to dig deep, I wasn’t going home without that belt.”
Raymond Ford came on strong in the last few rounds but wasn't able to deliver any last-minute heroics. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing
Ball narrowly missed winning his first title one month ago with a draw against WBC champion Rey Vargas. It made his win all the sweeter on Saturday.
Ford has struggled to make the 126-pound featherweight limit. With the loss, Ford will no doubt move up to the 130-pound division to seek a new title there.
Hutchinson Scores Decision Over Richards in first 5vs5 Undercard Win
Willy Hutchinson becomes a serious contender at light heavyweight with a confident win over Craig Richards. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing
Willy Hutchinson of Scotland (18-1, 13 KOs) gave his Queensberry team a good start with a dominating performance over Matchroom’s Craig Richards of London (18-4-1, 11 KOs). Hutchinson won a clear decision victory with scores of 119-109, 117-111, and 116-112.
The veteran Richards took too long to warm up, losing round to the active, aggressive Hutchinson. His hooks couldn’t miss Richards in the first half of the fight. By the time Richards got into gear, he found himself in the “needs a knockout” territory. He gave it his best but he ran out of time.
Craig Richards started slowly and Willy Hutchinson took advantage of it. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing
Hutchinson wins the WBC Silver Light Heavyweight belt. “I'm young, hungry, sexy, and I'm taking over the world,” proclaimed the big Scot, who's a big personality in and out of the ring and fun to watch. He is a welcome addition to the light heavyweight division.
Willy Hutchinson celebrates his victory over Craig Richards to open the 5vs5 undercard. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing
