Eddie Hearn vs Frank Warren fights announced including Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang

Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren

Deontay Wilder will take on Zhilei Zhang in Saudi Arabia on June 1 in a heavyweight crossroads fight as part of Frank Warren’s head to head to with Eddie Hearn.

Also on the card, featherweight world champion Raymond Ford defend his title against on Nick Ball. In the middleweight division, the unbeaten Hamzah Sheeraz will take on Ammo Williams while Craig Richards will take on Willy Hutchinson in an all-British light-heavyweight clash. And Daniel Dubois will face Filip Hrgovic in another must-win heavyweight showdown.

The promoters picked two weight divisions each with the final category chosen by Saudi Arabian’s boxing chief. One point will be awarded to fighters who win on points, two points if they win by stoppage and no points for a draw. The respective captains will earn double points if they win their bouts.

Hearn said: “I have to say, they are all 50/50 fights. You could argue 60/40 for either promoter but that is why this card is so special. We have two thrilling heavyweight fights, a world title fight, and a domestic fight and an England vs America. They should strap us up with a heart monitor on the night because one of us could go over.”

Warren added: “Every fighter we picked because we want them to win. I do think we have a very strong team. He has some strong fighters but I think we have a really, strong team. This is got excitement written all over it. The fighters are all up for it because they are representing themselves and their promotional companies.”

The fights will form the undercard to the undisputed light-heavyweight fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitri Bivol. “Everybody who likes boxing asks me when I’m going to fight Beterbiev,” Bivol said. “When I signed the contract to be a pro boxer I had a goal to be the undisputed champion. Everything I went through was for my goal, even the fight against canelo, was my ticket to big fights. Now I’m happy that I will have the fight on June 1 for all of the belts.

“Every time when I’m in training camp I think my opponent is the most dangerous opponent in the world and that’s helped me focus and be serious in my training camp. Of course he is one of the most dangerous opponents but it makes me more excited to fight against this guy because I love challenges. I love to be tested and this is a huge test.

“I believe in my skills; i have been in boxing for 28 years. I love the sport and I think my experience and my mentality could help me. I just believe that I can be undisputed.” Beterbiev, meanwhile, said simply: “I’m collecting belts and I need one more.”