“Hearn Picking a Guy That He’s Spent Years Publicly Calling S**t”: Deontay Wilder Chosen as Matchroom’s Captain for Queensberry 5 vs. 5 Event, Fans Outraged

Could you imagine a past adversary captaining your team? On June 1st, Riyadh becomes the backdrop for such a spectacle. Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing and Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions lock horns in a dramatic 5 vs. 5 boxing event. This time, Hearn rolls the dice oddly, appointing Deontay Wilder as Matchroom’s captain.

Isn’t Wilder a strange choice? A fighter Eddie has spent years publicly criticizing and then he becomes the one Hearn signed just now. Why would Hearn pick a former rival to lead his team? And how will this unexpected alliance play out on fight night?

Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev lead the event

The main attraction on the stacked fight card for the 5-on-5 bout is the undisputed light heavyweight title fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. But the real drama unfolds in the undercard, with fighters like Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, Daniel Dubois, Filip Hrgovic, and rising stars like Ray Ford and Austin Williams all set to square off.

Boxing journalist Michael Benson ignited the controversy on Twitter, revealing the captains and scoring system: “Eddie Hearn has selected Deontay Wilder (vs Zhilei Zhang) as his captain and Frank Warren has selected Hamzah Sheeraz (vs Ammo Williams) as his captain for the Matchroom-Queensberry 5 vs 5 on June 1st. Two points for stoppage win, one point for decision win, doubled for captains.”

The selection of Deontay Wilder as the captain didn’t stick well with the fans.

Will Deontay Wilder deliver or disappoint? 

One fan highlighted a potential imbalance, pointing out that Eddie Hearn’s strategic choice of Wilder, a fighter known for his knockout ability, might give Matchroom an unfair advantage.

Conversely, another fan reacted with dismay, humorously lamenting Hearn’s decision to appoint Wilder as captain. This response taps into a vein of skepticism about Wilder’s recent form and suitability for such a critical role.

Adding to the critical voices, another fan offered tactical advice, suggesting that Wilder needs to adopt a more aggressive approach by throwing combinations.

Meanwhile, another fan provides a historical perspective, remarking on how unexpected such a selection would have seemed back in 2018.

This fan injects a dose of irony into the discussion, pointing out the peculiarity of Hearn choosing someone he has previously disparaged. This reaction underscores the sometimes contradictory and theatrical aspects of boxing promotions, where past animosities can be set aside for strategic gains.

As we edge closer to the June 1 showdown, the anticipation and speculation only grow. Will Deontay Wilder vindicate Hearn’s bold decision, or will this gamble backfire amidst the high expectations? What are your thoughts on this strategic choice? Join the discussion.