Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang | PPV - 1 June 2024

[Ricky]

I’m struggling to see how anyone gives Wilder a decent chance in this.

Zhang bangs him out inside 6 and weakens the Fury legacy even further.

Zhang isn't that hard to hit, wouldn't be surprised at all if Wilder did him in a round or 2. Feels like a fight where the first decent dig wins.

[Frostieballs]

I’m struggling to see how anyone gives Wilder a decent chance in this.

Zhang bangs him out inside 6 and weakens the Fury legacy even further.

Zhang isn't that hard to hit, wouldn't be surprised at all if Wilder did him in a round or 2. Feels like a fight where the first decent dig wins.

Whilst I agree that Zhang is no Pernell Whitaker, he is the twice the boxer Wilder is.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Have to go with Zhang here, tidier boxer, much better balance, shorter tighter punches, provided he doesn't leave his chin out to try, I see him detonating a couple of big ones early, and stopping Wilder inside the first 6 rounds.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Have to go with Zhang here, tidier boxer, much better balance, shorter tighter punches, provided he doesn't leave his chin out to try, I see him detonating a couple of big ones early, and stopping Wilder inside the first 6 rounds.

[margaret thatcher]

dont be surprised if this is a slow ugly fight. if neither kos the other quick you'll have a tired zhang plodding after a jittery wilder

on the flip side, it could be explosive early

[tonyevs]

Wilder doesn`t have the skills to box defensively whilst positioning himself to land that big right hand - his only hope is to fight very negatively in the hope Zhang tires .. I just don`t see Wilder being prepared to be booed whilst looking such a pu$$y.

Its not just Zhangs big punch, its also his big size. Zhang is a unit and I agree, if Wilder couldn`t handle a fat 19st fella in Fury - he will struggle a lot more against a solid 19st unit in Zhang.

Wilders legs are looking increasingly skinny - is he cutting corners and avoiding leg day more nowadays.

[margaret thatcher]

wilders style is cautious and low output, he only opens up when he hurts someone. his showing vs parker suggests he has no problem hardly throwing punches. and no one in saudi gonna boo any way

[tonyevs]

Zhang will present more opportunities for Wilder - which will also leave more opportunities for Zhang if Wilder takes them

[jamesmcdonnell]

Thee Anthony Joshua fanboys have to understand this - Anthony Joshua is still DUCKING Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. Remember that Barry Hearn fishing video on IFL TV? . Filip Hrgovic beats Anthony Joshua 7 days a week, twice on Sunday.

You'd think that in mental institutions they would discourage the inmates from engaging on social media - especially when they are so obviously disturbed by it.

[SeanBrennan]

Thee Anthony Joshua fanboys have to understand this - Anthony Joshua is still DUCKING Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. Remember that Barry Hearn fishing video on IFL TV? . Filip Hrgovic beats Anthony Joshua 7 days a week, twice on Sunday.

You'd think that in mental institutions they would discourage the inmates from engaging on social media - especially when they are so obviously disturbed by it.

it's nice that they're still getting out and about though James, bless them. And they're called patients now, so let's give special quickey a special wave.

[quickeyg]

Anthony Joshua fanboys will do anything for a used aj jockstrap, even if it means the jockstrap has s**t stains they will still take it.

[Cas]

I see Zhang taking this and closing the Wilder story. He is just better all round to be honest. I think he will seize the moment and close the show within around four rounds. Zhang is a massive bloke and should be able to bully Wilder, lean on him and make it difficult.

That said If Wilder is still there after the 6th I'll start to fancy his chances at stopping an exhausted Zhang.

[tonyevs]

Both went the distance in losing to Parker, but I think it'll only benefit Zhang and not Wilder.

It'll improve Zhang's stamina (if only a bit) and help him pace a fight better. For Wilder it will likely have knocked his confidence and put additional miles and wear on him.

Looking forward to the fight now.

[Giancarlo]

Thee Anthony Joshua fanboys have to understand this - Anthony Joshua is still DUCKING Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. Remember that Barry Hearn fishing video on IFL TV? . Filip Hrgovic beats Anthony Joshua 7 days a week, twice on Sunday.

You'd think that in mental institutions they would discourage the inmates from engaging on social media - especially when they are so obviously disturbed by it.

it's nice that they're still getting out and about though James, bless them. And they're called patients now, so let's give special quickey a special wave.

It's possible it could be Spud hiding in a burka.

Let's be nice so we don't scare him off again.

[joshj909]

[IRONFIST]

Good fight unless Wilder is totally shot. In a way you want Wilder to win to finally have a massive showdown with Joshua, if Zhang wins they'll avoid him. I reckon Zhang will win inside six rounds.

[joshj909]

Good fight unless Wilder is totally shot. In a way you want Wilder to win to finally have a massive showdown with Joshua, if Zhang wins they'll avoid him. I reckon Zhang will win inside six rounds.

If Zhang and Hrgovic win. Joshua will face Hrgovic, Wilder will possibly retire. Zhang would be left with Kabayel or the likes of Ruiz, Anderson, Bakole, Ajagba and Whyte.

[IRONFIST]

Good fight unless Wilder is totally shot. In a way you want Wilder to win to finally have a massive showdown with Joshua, if Zhang wins they'll avoid him. I reckon Zhang will win inside six rounds.

If Zhang and Hrgovic win. Joshua will face Hrgovic, Wilder will possibly retire. Zhang would be left with Kabayel or the likes of Ruiz, Anderson, Bakole, Ajagba and Whyte.

What happens if Dubois beats Hrgovic and Wilder wins?

[Heldenjaeger]

What happens if Dubois beats Hrgovic and Wilder wins?

Dubois to fight Joshua at Wembley, Hearn and Warren pretty much confirmed that in an interview and Wilder already has a deal to fight Jared Anderson.

[IRONFIST]

What happens if Dubois beats Hrgovic and Wilder wins?

Dubois to fight Joshua at Wembley, Hearn and Warren pretty much confirmed that in an interview and Wilder already has a deal to fight Jared Anderson.

A shame I was hoping for a Wembley showdown with Wilder and Joshua, if Wilder wins on Saturday.

[Ruthless-RKO]

If any one facies changing their votes?

You can do

[Ruthless-RKO]

Here’s how the experts see it:

THE RING

ANSON WAINWRIGHT: ZHANG TKO 5

“This is fascinating because this fight has so many questions. We have no clue what to expect from these two big-punching fighters. I could see any outcome in this fight. Wilder looked awful last time out and maybe he is a shot fighter. Zhang had moments against Joseph Parker but also struggled. It seems if you can get through the early going against Zhang you can outhustle him in the second half of the fight but that’s not Wilder’s style. Both have the power to hurt the other and it’s probably who strikes first. I don’t think this fight goes into the second half with both knowing one mistake could likely spell the end. I think Zhang’s southpaw stance and extra weight could be key. I’ll go without too much conviction for Zhang to catch and stop Wilder in five rounds.”

LEE GROVES: ZHANG KO 7

“Talk about a great pairing of nicknames — “The Bronze Bomber” versus “Big Bang” Zhang. This is a fight that demands a knockout ending, and according to the oddsmakers who have Zhang a slight favorite, one has the right to assume they’re most swayed by the difference in punch resistance that favors Zhang as well as Wilder’s dismal performance against common conqueror Joseph Parker, a man Zhang floored twice before losing on points. If Zhang lands his lethal left cross on Wilder’s chin, especially early, there will be no opportunity for Wilder to exploit Zhang’s biggest weakness, stamina. That’s what happened in the Joe Joyce rematch and the pick is that Zhang’s “Big Bang” will be enough to take out the “Bronze Bomber.”

DIEGO MORILLA: WILDER UD

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen Wilder perform to our best expectations, but the basics are still there. Zhang may be surging and enjoying a good moment, but in terms of speed and even power he is noticeably a notch below Wilder. Zhang has a puncher’s chance, but if the best Wilder shows up on fight night, Zhang will be in trouble. My money is on the latter.”

MARTIN MULCAHY: WILDER TKO 5

“I have never been a big backer of Deontay Wilder… nor Zhilei Zhang. When evaluating both, I feel Zhang is the perfect opponent for Wilder to get his grove back and some of his reputation as a finisher. Wilder has been beaten by good boxers who understand the use of space, and has problem with boxers that are quick fisted or faster with their feet. Zhang is none of those, but I do rate his toughness and ability to deliver shots at close range. I don’t think Zhang can crowd Wilder or cut off the ring, thus leaving that punching space Wilder wants to unfurl his long armed bombs. Unless Wilder is completely shot, I see him avoiding Zhang’s charges and countering at will, eventually catching Zhang so often his corner or referee is forced to step in before the halfway point has been reached. Going with a fifth round stoppage, probably by the referee jumping in as a barrage of punches leaves Zhang helpless in the corner.”

MICHAEL MONTERO: ZHANG TKO

“Both men suffered losses to Joseph Parker in their last fight. However, Wilder was dominated, while Zhang kept it close. As long as he has stayed in shape over the last few months, I like Zhang to beat up and stop Wilder. This feels like a cash out for the American. Gimme ‘Big Bang’ by late stoppage.”

RON BORGES: WILDER TKO

“Not so long ago I would have picked Wilder by KO and not thought twice about. But Wilder’s recent performances have me wondering if, like many KO guys, they fade quickly. Wilder looks to be in that fading point of his career. Having said that Zhang is a step down from Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker. Then again, Parker dominated Wilder while Zhang lost to him by majority decision in a close fight. So who wins? Zhang could easily beat Wilder if the latter continues to fade but this is also a crossroads fight for Wilder. He has to understand, one would think, that a fourth loss in his last five fights means an end to him as a legitimate contender and big payday money maker. So I’ll go with the more desperate fighter in Wilder and pick him by TKO. But I’m not doing it with a lot of conviction, to be honest.”

BOXING INSIDERS

DUKE MCKENZIE (FORMER THREE-DIVISION TITLEHOLDER/TV ANALYST): ZHANG TKO 10

“I won’t state the obvious and I would be disappointed if either tried to change tactics in this mouth-watering battle. Zhang’s southpaw style will cause Wilder problems. Neither of these two have great stamina which only spices things up even more. They will have to stand and trade blows, Wilder’s only hope of getting the TKO has to come early. If Zhang can get past the early rounds it’s his fight, bigger, stronger and has a better ring IQ than Wilder. Zhang wins inside 10-rounds by TKO and sends Wilder into retirement.”

TOM GRAY (FORMER MANAGING EDITOR FOR THE RING): WILDER TKO 4

“Zhang might be the perfect opponent for Wilder at this point. The Chinese colossus is 41 years old, he fights at a slow pace and he’s very heavy footed. Wilder’s ability to position himself to punch is massively underrated, and Zhang, while he judges distance well, can’t match him in this area. The former champ needs to watch what’s coming back at him because Zhang is a murderous hitter himself. I’ve just got a hunch that Wilder is going to land with something supersonic and end this fight in an instant.”

STEVE KIM (THE 3 KNOCKDOWN RULE): ZHANG TKO

“This is a fight between two heavyweights that can really bang. Unlike Joseph Parker, Zhang will be much easier to find for Wilder. There are clear pathways for his right hand to land versus the huge Chinese southpaw. But just as he did against Fury, he is facing a huge weight deficit, and if he gets pushed back, his right hand is that much less effective. If Zhang come in a bit lighter (and therefore a bit more mobile than he was in his last fight) I expect him to put Wilder on the back foot and eventually stop Wilder in the seventh or eighth round. Wilder is still somewhat dangerous, but I wonder if he has his legs underneath him.”

JOE ROTONDA (MATCHMAKER, MAIN EVENTS): ZHANG TKO

“I like this fight a lot, two giant heavyweights in a situation where a loss could be the end any hopes of getting to the top of the division. I think Wilder has to be in desperation mode here. He’s only won a single bout since 2019 and he’ll be 39-years-old in just a couple of months. He has had an incredible career, but I don’t like what I saw in his last bout with Joseph Parker. The legs just were not present and neither was any killer instinct on Deontay’s part. Although Zhang lost his previous bout as well, also to Joseph Parker, I think even at 41-years of age he has a lot of fight left in him. I think he overwhelms the Bronze Bomber en route to a stoppage win halfway through the bout.”

ROBERT DIAZ (MATCHMAKER): WILDER KO 9

“Interesting fight, anytime you have two big boys who can punch, expect a barnburner, this will not be the exception. It is a must win for both, while I am hearing Wilder may fight again on August 3 against Jared Anderson he needs to stay focused as Zhang can derail that. I see a slow beginning as they will both be cautious of each other’s power in the early rounds. Deontay will use his reach to keep Zhang outside and Zhang will use his size and weight to muscle his way inside. In the fourth or fifth round, the first big bomb lands and I expect a knockdown. I can see Wilder getting caught and going down. He gets up and in Wilder fashion begins to land his bombs. The fight is on, Zhang has shown some stamina issues in the past and begins to tire in the seventh. By the ninth round both are exhausted but the famous Bomb Squad lands Wilder KO 9!”

RICH MAROTTA (COMMENTATOR): ZHANG KO 8

“Here’s another intriguing fight in a whole series of 2024 interesting matchups. Two big old guys, two big punchers. This could go a number of ways, and I’m hoping its not a boring, plodding affair. My feeling is that it will go to the other side of the coin. It should provide tense, edge-of-the-seat stuff because of the thudding power each possesses. I would not be at all surprised to see each man knocked down in this one. Wilder looked like he was seriously deteriorating in the match against Parker, who boxed smartly. However, Parker has a whole different skillset than Zhang, so I don’t see the Chinese star being able to use the same strategy. In trying to visualize, I see both landing power shots, but Zhang better able to absorb, and eventually knocking out Wilder somewhere around the eighth round.”

JOLENE MIZZONE (MANAGER): ZHANG UD

“Let me start off by saying, you know when it is a good fight when you go back and forth with your pick. My first pick was Wilder because of his power and how he did well with Ortiz who is a southpaw, but then I go back to Zhang who has been in with punchers and did well (i.e. Hrgovic and Joyce). They both fought the same guy in Parker, and both didn’t look great, but I am going to go with Zhang simple because he had Parker down twice in the fight with him. This is why you have to love heavyweight fighting because one punch can change it all. They both have power so I think someone will go down.”

ALEX STEEDMAN (COMMENTATOR): ZHANG KO

“The big question here is which version of Zhang and Wilder is going to show up? Because both men, in different ways, were notably poor last time. Wilder looked like he’d been toking on pacifiers for months while Zhang was simply too heavy and incapable of sustaining attacks. But at both their best and their worst, this pair could still come together to create a memorable firefight. Wilder only needs one moment and Zhang needs to get close to be effective so he will be in danger. But we simply can’t trust Wilder’s approach or mindset right now and Zhang is one of the more technical opponents he’s been in with. Zhang, if motivated, can carve out the openings for a spectacular win.”

CAMILLE ESTEPHAN (PROMOTER, EYE OF THE TIGER): ZHANG KO

“I believe this one is of the don’t-blink material. Both guys have devastating power, so needless to say the odds of going the distance are very slim. Although Wilder does have the faster hands, overall I feel Zhang is in a better place physically at the moment and is more able to handle a shot than Wilder is. I favour Zhang to win by knockout.”

STEVE FARHOOD (TV ANALYST): WILDER PTS

“Ouch! Wilder has won once since 2019! Zhang is over 40 and can be outboxed. My guess is that if Wilder fights a controlled fight, he’ll win on points. I just can’t see him fighting as poorly as he did in his loss to Parker.”

AGIT KABAYEL (HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER): ZHANG KO

“I think it will be a tough fight because both are big punchers. The open question for me is how Deontay deals with a big southpaw like Zhang? For some reason my gut feeling tells me Zhang will win by KO and end the career of Deontay Wilder.”

MATTHEW MACKLIN (FORMER WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER/ COMMENTATOR): ZHANG KO

“A really tough one to call because it’s really hard to tell where Wilder is at. Prior to the Joseph Parker fight I’d have said Wilder as Zhang ain’t that hard to find and Wilder’s power is devastating. Now, obviously ring rust would have been a factor for Wilder’s poor showing but also Joseph Parker’s movement and self-belief were also factors. On top of that, listening to Wilder in interviews, he seemed like a guy that was on a spiritual journey trying to find himself. Now whilst that might make him a better person, it probably strips him of that vicious streak you need as a fighter. In summary, from what I can gather from the outside looking in, I don’t think Wilder really wants to box anymore and is most likely cashing out, so I go with Zhang by KO, but obviously Wilder only needs one clean punch so who knows?”

WAYNE MCCULLOUGH (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/ TRAINER): WILDER KO 3

“The winner of the upcoming fight between Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang should set them up to get back into the mix of the heavyweight division. Ironically, they are both coming off loses to Joseph Parker. They can both bang hard but they lack basic boxing skills. I think Zhang will give Wilder problems early on with his southpaw right jabs and straight lefts to the head. He could catch Wilder with the left and drop him. But I think Wilder will be smart enough to use his jab following it up by a straight right to Zhang’s head, a punch that works well against southpaws, dropping him to get the knockout win inside three rounds.”

RUDY HERNANDEZ: (TRAINER): WILDER TKO

“Strong punchers, according to Parker who fought them both. Wilder is training knowing this is his last chance at getting a title shot or he’ll have to retire. I see this fight at a slow pace, round after round. Both touching, when the explosion happens and Wilder right hand lands flush and hurts Zhang, he may not get dropped but the ref steps in and waves the fight off somewhere between six and eight rounds.”

Final Tally: Zhang 12-8

[Ruthless-RKO]

Queensberry vs. Matchroom Rules Explained

Both Eddie Hearn and allegedly were both given the chance to pick two weight classes for the card, as was Turki Alalshikh, who heads up Riyadh Season.

That has led to the five fights being established for the night and the following points system for the outcome of each contest.

- Two points are given for a knockout victory, and one point is given for a win decided on the judges’ scorecards.
- Drawn fights are awarded no points.
- There is the chance for one boxer, designated the team captain, to score double points.
- - For Matchroom, their captain is Deontay Wilder, and for Queensberry it is Hamzah Sheeraz.

That means, for example, if Wilder beats Zhilei Zhang by decision, he will garner two points, but if Wilder wins by knockout, Team Matchroom will be awarded four points.

[Heldenjaeger]

Wilder was never a great technical boxer; his movement patterns were never smooth. He moves awkwardly and makes a lot of basic mistakes. His defense is leaky, and he often relies on leaning back. His work rate is low, not only because he's not good at creating openings but also due to poor stamina. His stance changes after a couple of minutes, sometimes even in the first round, and it gets worse than it was in the beginning. What made him stand out despite all of his flaws was his right-hand power, the confidence in it, and the savagery behind it, paired with extremely careful (or good) matchmaking. He had three noteworthy opponents and only beat one of them. Parker outboxed him for 36 minutes and never gave Wilder a chance to land cleanly.

And Zhilei Zhang? He was also matched very carefully and struggled with Jerry Forrest -who was his best opponent by far - less than three years ago, when Zhang was already 38 years old. His team claimed the bad performance was due to kidney failure and dehydration, but I'd say kidney failure and dehydration are a result of exhaustion due to his lack of stamina and not vice versa. He then lost a close fight to Filip Hrgovic in 2022, arguably also because of his bad engine. However, when we really look at how both fights went, Zhang was outboxed by Hrgovic and Forrest and only made it close because of his power. The Joyce fight showed more of the same; Zhang was on his way to gassing out again. The rematch was Zhang's career-best performance, a clean knockout of Joyce. Parker outboxed Zhang convincingly. The power was still there for Zhang, but that's about it.

I'll wait for the weigh-in to pick a winner. Zhang might come in above 300 pounds; he is getting heavier each time.

[Ruthless-RKO]