Zhilei Zhang Scores Stunning TKO Victory Over Deontay Wilder in Round 5
Zhang's Major Upset Over Wilder
Zhilei Zhang scored the biggest win of his career Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, potentially ending former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder's run in the process.
Fight Details and Outcome
China's Zhang, 41, landed a perfectly timed counter right hook that left Wilder in a daze. With Wilder defenseless, Zhang (27-2-1, 21 KOs) sprinted in and delivered another right hand that knocked the American hard to the canvas. Wilder, 38, managed to get to his feet before the count of 10, but his legs were unsteady, and the referee wisely stopped the fight at 1:51 of Round 5.
Zhang's Reaction
"I blocked a few punches, but hell yeah, he punches hard," Zhang said through an interpreter about Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs), known as one of the most powerful punchers in heavyweight history. "I give him a lot of respect. He's a heavy puncher. ... I successfully took his right hand away."
Wilder's Recent Struggles
Wilder has lost four of his past five fights, including a decision defeat to Joseph Parker in December and two losses to Tyson Fury in their heavyweight championship trilogy. Wilder had stated before the fight that if he lost, "this could be the final goodbye, the farewell of Deontay Wilder."
Zhang's Comeback
Zhang was also coming off a decision defeat to Parker, despite flooring him twice in March. Now, he is back on what he called the "road to the champion," currently Oleksandr Usyk, who defeated Fury last month in Riyadh for the undisputed championship.
Betting and Rankings
Zhang closed as the -150 favorite against Wilder, according to ESPN BET. He is ESPN's No. 6 heavyweight, with Wilder at No. 7. Zhang won a silver medal as a super heavyweight at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, while Wilder claimed bronze in the heavyweight division.
Physical Advantages and Fight Dynamics
They appeared to be in different weight classes, with Zhang outweighing Wilder by 68.2 pounds — 282.8 compared to Wilder's 214.6. There is no weight limit in boxing's heavyweight division. Zhang used his size advantage to bully Wilder and smother him on the ropes. As a southpaw, Zhang connected with right hooks that scored repeatedly while Wilder rarely let his vaunted right hand go.
The Decisive Round
In Round 5, Zhang began to unleash his best weapon. Wilder had just landed a chopping right hand when Zhang countered with a right hook for the finish.
Promotional Battle and Prize
The victory completed a clean sweep for Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions against Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing in a unique 5 vs. 5 team concept created by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority. After Zhang's TKO win, Alalshikh presented Warren with a check for $3 million.
