RIYADH — Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), recently revealed plans for an unprecedented boxing extravaganza, the 5 vs 5, a Riyadh Season Original event scheduled to captivate audiences in Riyadh on June 1. This groundbreaking format will witness top fighters from two major boxing promotional companies, Queensberry and Matchroom, competing in a novel team-based competition.
A key highlight of Riyadh Season will be the "4 Crown Showdown," a historic clash between light heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. Set to unfold at the Kingdom Arena, this eagerly anticipated bout will see both undefeated champions battling for supremacy, with all world title belts at 175lbs up for grabs.
Aside from this marquee matchup, the event promises a lineup of gripping contests across various weight divisions. Among these is a heavyweight showdown between Daniel Dubois representing Queensberry and Filip Hrgovic for Matchroom, determining the next contender for the IBF World Heavyweight title. Another heavyweight spectacle will feature Queensberry's Zhilei Zhang facing off against Matchroom's Deontay Wilder, a former WBC world champion renowned for his explosive knockouts.
In the featherweight category, fans can expect a potential 'fight of the year' as Queensberry’s Nick Ball takes on Matchroom’s reigning WBA World Featherweight champion Ray Ford. Additionally, a crucial middleweight bout will showcase Queensberry's Hamzah Sheeraz against Matchroom’s Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, with the victor earning a shot at the WBC World Middleweight title.
The light heavyweight division will also witness action, with Queensberry’s Willy Hutchinson squaring off against Matchroom’s Craig ‘Spider’ Richards in a matchup promising technical brilliance.
Expressing his excitement about the event, Turki Alalshikh stated, “The 5 vs 5 a Riyadh Season Original match is an exceptional event embodying the spirit of Riyadh Season, featuring top-tier talent and fostering partnerships that deliver unprecedented entertainment to our global audience.”
Frank Warren of Queensberry emphasized the event's significance, noting, "Thanks to Turki Alalshikh’s vision, Riyadh has become a fixture in the world boxing calendar, hosting spectacular events showcasing our elite champions."
Eddie Hearn of Matchroom also lauded the initiative, recognizing the opportunity to showcase some of the world’s finest champions in this globally beloved sport and expressing gratitude to Alalshikh for the chance to participate in this momentous event in Saudi Arabia.
