Deontay Wilder knocked out by Zhilei Zhang in fifth round

Deontay Wilder was knocked out by Zhilei Zhang in the fifth round on Saturday as Queensberry dominated Matchroom in a unique team-based event in Saudi Arabia.

The innovative format saw Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren each choose their representatives across five matchups, with Wilder the former's appointed man and Hamzah Sheeraz his Queensberry counterpart.

Fighters were awarded one point for a decision win, two points for a knockout or a technical knockout and zero points for a draw, with the captains’ points worth double.

Wilder and Zhang both looked tentative to start the bout, but – in the clash of heavy hitters – Zhang struck first.

A heavy blow caught the American in the second round, but Zhang was unable to land a decisive follow-up strike.

Wilder was clearly rattled however, and it took just three more rounds for Zhang to land the winning combo, spinning the Bronze Bomber with a heavy right and following up as Wilder stumbled towards the corner.

The result capped off a 10-0 whitewash for Queensberry, who were first on the scoreboard when Scottish light heavyweight Willy Hutchinson claimed a unanimous decision victory over Craig Richards.

After the early rounds, Hutchinson looked to have the slightest advantage, and while Richards began to turn the tide, it was too little, too late, with the scores reading 116-112, 117-111, and 119-109.

Ball kept the Queensberry momentum going, securing a split-decision victory and the WBA world featherweight title in a thrilling battle with Raymond Ford that, throughout the 12 rounds, looked like it could go either opponent’s way.

And while the first judge ruled 115-113 in favour of the more measured Ford, the tenacity of the Merseyside man prevailed as the next decisions were given his way