5 v 5 card. Over rated?

[forcefraser]

This is a great card, no denying that, but is it being overated on the basis that it is simply much better than what we have become used to?

Hatman on YouTube did a video comparing this to the mighty Don King cards of the 90's. The line ups on those cards were incredible. 5 or 6 deep in world championship fights.

The 5 v 5 is good and a cracking main event, but it doesn't come close to some of those King cards

[joshj909]

This is a great card, no denying that, but is it being overated on the basis that it is simply much better than what we have become used to?

Hatman on YouTube did a video comparing this to the mighty Don King cards of the 90's. The line ups on those cards were incredible. 5 or 6 deep in world championship fights.

The 5 v 5 is good and a cracking main event, but it doesn't come close to some of those King cards

It's easier to put together a good card when you don't intend to pay your athletes.

[stujones]

Think the format it being Hearn vs Warren is a bit childish and silly really - captains worth double and all that crap.

Good card - just feels completely wrong its in Saudi - at least they made it a bit continental with some of the fighters.

[stujones]

This is a great card, no denying that, but is it being overated on the basis that it is simply much better than what we have become used to?

Hatman on YouTube did a video comparing this to the mighty Don King cards of the 90's. The line ups on those cards were incredible. 5 or 6 deep in world championship fights.

The 5 v 5 is good and a cracking main event, but it doesn't come close to some of those King cards

Yeah I am pretty certain Tyson vs Holyfield 1 had 2 world title fights not shown on TV!

Although will say the 5 v 5 is a undercard - but they way they are promoting it - next time it will be a main event and a PPV in its own right.

Two world title fights were pretty standard for UK legs of PPVs back in the day and no way (at the time) would Sky have them as a PPV in their own right. Case in point - Benn vs Collins 1 was a normal Sky fight.

[forcefraser]

If we are being critical then Richards v Hutchinson is standard fare, Sheeran v Williams is two fairly unproven prospects and Wilder v Zhang is two 40 year old heavyweights who lost their last fights and looked bad doing so

[Crease]

5 v 5 card. Over rated?

It depends on how you look at it.

As a theory I do like it, just for the sheer fact that it is bringing together probably the two biggest promoters in the UK - that can only be a good things for the sport. From what I have heard, the two men who deserve the most credit for making this happen are Frank Smith (Matchroom) and George Warren (Queensbury) - who apparently have an excellent working relationship. Things have improved between Eddie and Frank but it's very friendly, friendly for the cameras...
As a concept both men picking five of their best fighters to pair off and fight is compelling, so I can definitely get on board with that.

In reality, I was somewhat underwhelmed by the card. I was hoping that the likes of Josh Kelly, Josh Warrington or Billy Joe Saunders - let them get involved in earning some of that Saudi money. But as it stands, it looks like Eddie is bringing in the Americans.

I hope that Frank Smith and George Warren are able to continue working cross-promotionally to make bigger and better fights happen in the future. The 5 vs 5 idea could get even better with better fighters in it - imagine 5 World Championships over 5 different weight classes that would be something...

[jamesmcdonnell]

5 v 5 card. Over rated?

It depends on how you look at it.

As a theory I do like it, just for the sheer fact that it is bringing together probably the two biggest promoters in the UK - that can only be a good things for the sport. From what I have heard, the two men who deserve the most credit for making this happen are Frank Smith (Matchroom) and George Warren (Queensbury) - who apparently have an excellent working relationship. Things have improved between Eddie and Frank but it's very friendly, friendly for the cameras...
As a concept both men picking five of their best fighters to pair off and fight is compelling, so I can definitely get on board with that.

In reality, I was somewhat underwhelmed by the card. I was hoping that the likes of Josh Kelly, Josh Warrington or Billy Joe Saunders - let them get involved in earning some of that Saudi money. But as it stands, it looks like Eddie is bringing in the Americans.

I hope that Frank Smith and George Warren are able to continue working cross-promotionally to make bigger and better fights happen in the future. The 5 vs 5 idea could get even better with better fighters in it - imagine 5 World Championships over 5 different weight classes that would be something...

What, you actually want to watch Saunders? Hasn't he earned enough money for such a boring fighter?

[golden_labrador]

If we are being critical then Richards v Hutchinson is standard fare, Sheeran v Williams is two fairly unproven prospects and Wilder v Zhang is two 40 year old heavyweights who lost their last fights and looked bad doing so

Hutchinson, Sheeraz, Wilder and Zhang can all bang though. I think the Saudis just want to see big KOs.

[cormack]

I was hoping that the likes of Josh Kelly, Josh Warrington or Billy Joe Saunders - let them get involved in earning some of that Saudi money.

Personally I wouldn't want to see three of the most obnoxious characters in British boxing get anything like 'that Saudi money'

warrington and saunders are both twats & deserve diddly agreed .

but Josh Kelly come on !

[Crease]

What, you actually want to watch Saunders? Hasn't he earned enough money for such a boring fighter?

Yeah, I'm sure that we can all agree that Saunders has his biggest day out against Canelo and was defeated soundly. But I just don't think that boxing is done with Billy Joe - I for one wouldn't mind seeing him in a rematch with Eubank and Super Middleweight.

[margaret thatcher]

no thx, billy joe can stay retired

[Crease]

Jack Catterall deserves a spot after losing two years of his career being f*cked about by Taylor.

I definitely agree with that, sir. I was cheering Taylor and wanted him to win, but I do think that Jack won their fight. I hope that he gets in with someone like a Regis Prograism which I think is a very winnable fight for him - or even better opponents like Teofimo Lopez or Ryan Garcia (after he loses to Haney). There are options and big money out there for Jack, especially in America.

Leigh Wood definitely deserves a spot before Warrington (Wood did beat him after all and he's only scored one win is his last six fights)

I was so, so impressed with what Leigh did to Warrington. I think he's pretty much coming toward the end of his career - but I'd love to see him going out with a blast against Lopez, which is a fight that I could see him winning.

The reason that I mentioned John is that I think that he could do with another big opportunity, as you pointed out he's not been on the best run recently. Again, I think that he maybe coming to the end of his fighting journey too.

Saunders has already won the lottery once with the Canelo fight and he's probably set for life financially, there are a lot of fighters far more deserving of 'that Saudi money'

Fair enough, it's a matter of opinion and it's all subjective.

[Crease]

Queensbury vs Matchroom

Zhilei Zhang (11th) vs Deontay Wilder (9th)

Daniel DuBois (7th) vs Filip Hrgovic (16th)

Willy Hutchinson (30th) vs Craig Richards (10th)

Hamzah Sheeraz (8th) vs Austin Williams (11th)

Nick Ball (4th) vs Raymond Ford (9th)

* By the current BoxRec rankings...

[Crease]

Thanks for taking the time to compose such a detailed response.
I agree 100% regarding Leigh, he probably only has a couple of fights left in him, and I'm a bit worried he's wasting the last part of his career hanging about for this (in my opinion) completely unnecessary rematch with Warrington.

I think the same. I wouldn't be terribly disappointed if both men agreed to go at it again, I know that I would watch it - but it's very likely to have a similar outcome. There are other fights out there for both men, and that both of them could go out on a high with a W.

[SeanBrennan]

This is a great card, no denying that, but is it being overated on the basis that it is simply much better than what we have become used to?

Hatman on YouTube did a video comparing this to the mighty Don King cards of the 90's. The line ups on those cards were incredible. 5 or 6 deep in world championship fights.

The 5 v 5 is good and a cracking main event, but it doesn't come close to some of those King cards

what were some of those cards Fraser? They were before my time mainly.

[SeanBrennan]

Apparently there was a bust up between them at Manchester last week.

there is genuine needle there isn't there.

[SeanBrennan]

This is a great card, no denying that, but is it being overated on the basis that it is simply much better than what we have become used to?

Hatman on YouTube did a video comparing this to the mighty Don King cards of the 90's. The line ups on those cards were incredible. 5 or 6 deep in world championship fights.

The 5 v 5 is good and a cracking main event, but it doesn't come close to some of those King cards

It's easier to put together a good card when you don't intend to pay your athletes.

hahaha King did indeed have a uniquely efficient business model.

[SeanBrennan]

If we are being critical then Richards v Hutchinson is standard fare, Sheeran v Williams is two fairly unproven prospects and Wilder v Zhang is two 40 year old heavyweights who lost their last fights and looked bad doing so

Hutchinson, Sheeraz, Wilder and Zhang can all bang though. I think the Saudis just want to see big KOs.

I think in some respects we all do don't we? We're going to be waiting a long time if we seek ethically-led boxing.

[margaret thatcher]

you can tear apart virtually any card, this one is great. elite undisputed p4p clash, backed by several very competitive fights between a mix highly ranked fighters, huge punchers, and top prospects. richards-hutchison stands out a bit as being worse than the others, but even then it could be pretty good if hutch doesnt fall apart quickly

[tonyevs]

Really good card, on paper lots 50/50 fights.

I remember having a discussion with a mate about who was the best young s-middle prospect. He argued for Kody Davies who I didn't hold very high at all - I argued Willy Hutchison who he didn't regard very highly .. we both got proved right/wrong.

But I still think Hutchison will come good now he is up a weight ..

[forcefraser]

This is a great card, no denying that, but is it being overated on the basis that it is simply much better than what we have become used to?

Hatman on YouTube did a video comparing this to the mighty Don King cards of the 90's. The line ups on those cards were incredible. 5 or 6 deep in world championship fights.

The 5 v 5 is good and a cracking main event, but it doesn't come close to some of those King cards

what were some of those cards Fraser? They were before my time mainly.

Here's one. All world title fights I believe

Julio Cesar Chavez C VS Frankie Randall II
G. McCellan vs Julian Jackson II
Azumah Nelson vs Jesse James Leija
Terry Norris vs Simon Brown
Ricardo Lopez 36-0 fought an undefeated Kermin Guardia at 21-0

Plus Meldrick Taylor

Chavez looking to avenge his first defeat after going 90 -0 or something similar

[forcefraser]

Mike Tyson W-TKO Donovan Ruddock
Simon Brown W-TKO Maurice Blocker
Julio Cesar ChavezW-TKO John Duplessis
Pat Lawlor W-TKO Roberto Duran
Greg Page W-TKO Mark Young
Bernard Hopkins W-TKO Steve Langley
Justin Juuko W-RTD Gilberto Diaz

Another good card. All stoppages

[forcefraser]

Friday 28, September 1979
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
promoter Don King
Larry Holmes W-TKO Earnie Shavers
Wilfredo Gomez W-TKO Carlos Mendoza
Sugar Ray Leonard W-KO Andy Price
Jimmy Young L-UD Michael Dokes
Roberto Duran W-UD Zeferino Gonzalez
Jim Ingram W-PTS Clarence Geigger
Idika Nsofor W-KO Junior Foster

Some all time greats on this card from way back in 79

I know Hearn is a promoter, but to claim the 5v 5 card as the best in history is absolute nonsense.

It's the best we have had for a long time but Hutchinson, Richards, Williams, Sheeraz, Ball, Ford, Hrgovic, Dubois.... compared to the names on the cards above??

The only match up on the Saudi card that stacks up historically against the great card is Beterbiev v Bivol. That is for me the best fight in boxing right now alongside Canelo v Benevidez

[veriton]

It's a fantastic headline fight with a decent undercard and no 60-54s or women's boxing. In current times I'm taking that as a big win but it's not as historically great as some of the above.

AJ v Wilder and Yarde v Buatsi would have made it an absolute better.

[forcefraser]

Turki is the man. He won't stand for no women's points bore to ruin a card.

Fair play to him