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

[KiwiRider]

The biggest key to Wilder's "success" was Sulaiman

Yep, a lot if credit due there, and to Shelly.
Until they underestimated fat Fury, and gentleman Joe, then it was cash out quick- and they have.

[robbydecker]

Zhang wants to take on AJ for his next bout.

That will be very interesting.

I'm leaning towards AJ to pull off the win.
Tko in round 8 or 9 would be what I'd expect.
If Zhang went the distance then that'd be a good moral victory and a perfect time to ride into the sunset, at least for awhile, until Hollywood knocks on his door, for new money making opportunities.

Zhang is a really nice and likeable fellow(Humble and Soft Spoken), so I hope he'd retire, following a bout with AJ, and then get into movies, as quite a few commenters on YouTube have strongly suggested for his behalf.

At 41, it really is the time to start seriously considering a good potential back-up plan.
Zhang would definitely be a good fit in action flicks.

[Cas]

wilder had a good run, made loads of money and was a big player in the diivision for years.

but so much quantity over quality in that win column. 43 wins and stiverne and brezeale still among tthe top 3 guys he beat. think about that

His top five wins is pretty bad

1 - Old, fat, slow Ortiz
2 - Old, fat, slow Ortiz
3 - Old, fat, slow and shit Stiverne
4 and 5 is interchangeable--any of Glass Jaw Helenius, Crap Brezeale, Plodder Duhappes, "The Man Named After a Nipple" Chris Arreola.

Also consider that Fury 1 was a cherry pick too.

When he signed to fight Fury, he thought Tyson wasn't ready to face him and it's true, Tyson Fury wasn't actually ready, but he still had enough to avoid defeat against Wilder and was probably unlucky not to get the win.

Wilder is surely done now.

He managed to achieve a decent amount considering his limited skillset and I don't think it's right or fair for him to see out his days as a punchbag, which is surely what awaits him should he continue to fight.

Wilder in a nutshell is a classic case of somebody who was managed very well throughout his career. The US needed a heavyweight champion and Wilder ticked the boxes, his power and delivery of knockouts was what the caught the eye of the public.. The casuals were drawn for this reason to Wilder and I guess you cant blame them. I do remember many on this board questioning Wilder's abilities and the fact he was predominately crushing poor opposition for most part.

Wilder's best win is surely Ortiz where he really struggled in those fights and was almost knocked out. Wilder did show great heart and grit to get through it but it become quite evident a boxer with a bit of pedigree would wipe the floor with him.

I very doubt history will be to kind to Wilder looking back though. I feel there are so many questions but if you do watch his fights it makes you think what he was learning in the gym. He never fought differently and relied on raw power only. He never had many other tools or defensive abilities or maybe he didn't want to learn any of that stuff.

Anyway, It appears to me that once Wilder stepped up it was all down hill from there i.e. Ortiz, Fury, Parker, Zhang. Some will say Wilder was washed, well okay, but isn't it a little coincidence one he fought real opposition he started to look out of his depth in there.

I guess for Wilder now there is no where to really go because he cant hang with the current crop. He's made a ton of money too and is a family man. He's took a hell lot of punishment and should probably think about hanging em up or maybe go out against somebody he will beat without taking anymore damage.

[Boxerbeetle]

Once you acknowledged that the Wilder right hand was real........some people took longer to accept it........his fights were never boring because you were constantly looking for that right hand.

Those days are over now but there was a time when the right hand made him worth watching.

imo Wilder is an over achiever.
A 215-225lb heavyweight with his boxing skills(lol) aren't supposed to get past an Ortiz, Stiverne, Washington or Duhuapas. He shouldn't have been a threat to Fury either but he was.
At heavyweight a one trick pony who is usually outweighed in the ring isn't supposed to get as far as he did.

The closest thing to compare him to is Ingemar Johansson and Earnie Shavers, and he went farther than both of those guys.

How well do you think Shavers would do in this current era? He was definitely better than Wilder, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he smashed up Fury & Joshua early. So potentially number 2 heavyweight in the world behind Usyk?

[ironbeard]

Once you acknowledged that the Wilder right hand was real........some people took longer to accept it........his fights were never boring because you were constantly looking for that right hand.

Those days are over now but there was a time when the right hand made him worth watching.

imo Wilder is an over achiever.
A 215-225lb heavyweight with his boxing skills(lol) aren't supposed to get past an Ortiz, Stiverne, Washington or Duhuapas. He shouldn't have been a threat to Fury either but he was.
At heavyweight a one trick pony who is usually outweighed in the ring isn't supposed to get as far as he did.

The closest thing to compare him to is Ingemar Johansson and Earnie Shavers, and he went farther than both of those guys.

How well do you think Shavers would do in this current era? He was definitely better than Wilder, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he smashed up Fury & Joshua early. So potentially number 2 heavyweight in the world behind Usyk?

Similar to Wilder, Shavers was always in a fight. However, the current versions of AJ and Fury would likely stop him, like Quarry, Cobb, Mercado, Holmes and others did.

[tigermoth87]

Once you acknowledged that the Wilder right hand was real........some people took longer to accept it........his fights were never boring because you were constantly looking for that right hand.

Those days are over now but there was a time when the right hand made him worth watching.

imo Wilder is an over achiever.
A 215-225lb heavyweight with his boxing skills(lol) aren't supposed to get past an Ortiz, Stiverne, Washington or Duhuapas. He shouldn't have been a threat to Fury either but he was.
At heavyweight a one trick pony who is usually outweighed in the ring isn't supposed to get as far as he did.

The closest thing to compare him to is Ingemar Johansson and Earnie Shavers, and he went farther than both of those guys.

How well do you think Shavers would do in this current era? He was definitely better than Wilder, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he smashed up Fury & Joshua early. So potentially number 2 heavyweight in the world behind Usyk?

Behave, boxers get better with every generation. And Shavers is like 6 foot tall. He'd be a journeyman.

[Evander]

Good win for Zhang, puts him right back in the thick of things.
Wilder, way too much weight against a vulnerable chin, kind of saw it coming

[Boxerbeetle]

The closest thing to compare him to is Ingemar Johansson and Earnie Shavers, and he went farther than both of those guys.

How well do you think Shavers would do in this current era? He was definitely better than Wilder, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he smashed up Fury & Joshua early. So potentially number 2 heavyweight in the world behind Usyk?

Behave, boxers get better with every generation. And Shavers is like 6 foot tall. He'd be a journeyman.

Nah, he would have smashed "prime" Wilder into next week

[NazNaci1]

How well do you think Shavers would do in this current era? He was definitely better than Wilder, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he smashed up Fury & Joshua early. So potentially number 2 heavyweight in the world behind Usyk?

Behave, boxers get better with every generation. And Shavers is like 6 foot tall. He'd be a journeyman.

Nah, he would have smashed "prime" Wilder into next week

Yup, Wilder doesn't last long at all. When you've been fighting Ali, Holmes, Norton etc....as opposed to Stiverne, Ortiz, etc...you tend to pick up a few things. That aside, he punched way harder. Wilder would be lucky to make it to round 3.

Every generation does not mean, automatically, better. Not sure why some believe this. Examples, Ray Robinson, Ray Leonard or Thomas Hears, at WW, would destroy what is around today. Ditto Duran at LW & Khaosai Galaxy @ Super Bantam, Salvador Sanchez at FW, Lennox Lewis etc... Next generation does not equate to better. Period.

If anything, they get worse, smaller pools of fighters, less skill, less demanding fights, soooo many titles, allowed to 'duck' others. There are very few exceptions, but that is what they are, exceptions.

[jamesmcdonnell]

How well do you think Shavers would do in this current era? He was definitely better than Wilder, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he smashed up Fury & Joshua early. So potentially number 2 heavyweight in the world behind Usyk?

Behave, boxers get better with every generation. And Shavers is like 6 foot tall. He'd be a journeyman.

Nah, he would have smashed "prime" Wilder into next week

Shavers had better skills than wilder no doubt, he gave both Holmes and Ali very hard fights, and battered Ken Norton, in a single round. Whilst he was regarded as a slugger, compared to the likes of Ali and Holmes, his skills were on another planet to someone like wilder.

[IRONFIST]

Wilder completely shot to pieces, he needs to hang up the gloves, no chance Fast Eddie risks his boy Joshua with Big Bang Zhang, Dubois exposed the overrated rubbish Hrgovic, needs to be more aggressive though if he fights Joshua.

[damage]

The closest thing to compare him to is Ingemar Johansson and Earnie Shavers, and he went farther than both of those guys.

How well do you think Shavers would do in this current era? He was definitely better than Wilder, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he smashed up Fury & Joshua early. So potentially number 2 heavyweight in the world behind Usyk?

Behave, boxers get better with every generation. And Shavers is like 6 foot tall. He'd be a journeyman.

Which heavyweight today would you say had a better jab than Larry Holmes?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dubois exposed the overrated rubbish Hrgovic, needs to be more aggressive though if he fights Joshua.

He did no such thing. Hrg was in control til Dubois got his head involved.. Eventualy took it's toll.

Hrg didn't even bother complaining.

[robbydecker]

The closest thing to compare him to is Ingemar Johansson and Earnie Shavers, and he went farther than both of those guys.

How well do you think Shavers would do in this current era? He was definitely better than Wilder, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he smashed up Fury & Joshua early. So potentially number 2 heavyweight in the world behind Usyk?

Similar to Wilder, Shavers was always in a fight. However, the current versions of AJ and Fury would likely stop him, like Quarry, Cobb, Mercado, Holmes and others did.

Ernie Shavers lost to Ron Lyle in Very Brutal Fashion.

He was totally completely lights out Sparked in that bout.

It WAS Quite competitive for the first few rounds though.

Wilder definitely Needs to retire. 38, going on 39, and getting badly Ko'd by 41 year old Zhang.
The Parker bout was already a clear indication that Wilder would've been ready to retire right then and there.
That Fire and Might had already fizzled away.

It would be very sad to see Big Bang Zhang get starched out, similar to what AJ did to Ngannou.
If I were Zhang, I'd be of much more preference to get The Really Big Bout, and Payday, versus Usyk instead.
It's like comparing dodging missiles, to dodging falling tree branches.

[ironbeard]

How well do you think Shavers would do in this current era? He was definitely better than Wilder, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he smashed up Fury & Joshua early. So potentially number 2 heavyweight in the world behind Usyk?

Similar to Wilder, Shavers was always in a fight. However, the current versions of AJ and Fury would likely stop him, like Quarry, Cobb, Mercado, Holmes and others did.

Ernie Shavers lost to Ron Lyle in Very Brutal Fashion.

He was totally completely lights out Sparked in that bout.

It WAS Quite competitive for the first few rounds though.

Wilder definitely Needs to retire. 38, going on 39, and getting badly Ko'd by 41 year old Zhang.
The Parker bout was already a clear indication that Wilder would've been ready to retire right then and there.
That Fire and Might had already fizzled away.

It would be very sad to see Big Bang Zhang get starched out, similar to what AJ did to Ngannou.
If I were Zhang, I'd be of much more preference to get The Really Big Bout, and Payday, versus Usyk instead.
It's like comparing dodging missiles, to dodging falling tree branches.

100%

Zhang should build his homeland stature with a big “knockover” fight and, if The World’s Champion Boxer gets by Fury again, invite Usyk to Beijing for a National Stadium historic event around this time next year.

Only The World’s Champion Boxer has the cajones to take that challenge on.

[margaret thatcher]

big difference between zhang and ngganou tbf. zhang is a top boxer, big amateur career, who is consistently beating or giving hell to top opposition and not just a 1 off. highly doubt he'd get blasted to oblivion in 2 like fran did. that said aj i do think would beat him. aj also dropped them in their olympic fight 12 years ago

a big hw fight in china would be cool. surprised it hasnt happened. i wouldnt even mind a knockover for zhang to see a huge chinese spectacle.

[robbydecker]

big difference between zhang and ngganou tbf. zhang is a top boxer, big amateur career, who is consistently beating or giving hell to top opposition. highly doubt he'd get blasted to oblivion in 2 like fran did. that said aj i do think would beat him. aj also dropped them in their olympic fight 12 years ago

a big hw fight in china would be cool. surprised it hasnt happened. i wouldnt even mind a knockover for zhang to see a huge chinese spectacle. usyk-zhang would be cool of course

Yeah, like I stated in an earlier post, I think that AJ would get Zhang in the 8th or 9th round.

Obviously a world of difference between the overall boxing capacities/capabilities of Zhang and Ngannou.

I just think that being 41, will be a main factor in Zhang becoming too worn out by round 8, to be able to defend properly versus AJ, and also too arm weary to do enough offensively by that point as well.

His best chance versus AJ would be to go for it early. Go for Broke as they say.
Like I stated though, if I were Zhang, I'd Much Prefer to take on Usyk at this point in my carear.
At 41, a boxer's mind needs to be completely dialed in to maxing out ones earnings/revenue, as opposed to gaining bragging rights or seeking revenge of some sort.

[ironbeard]

If AJ v Dubois comes off:

1. If AJ wins he should get Fury (win or lose v Usyk).
2. If Dubois wins there will likely be a rematch.
3. If Usyk beats Fury again he should go to China v Zhang and retire if he wins. Same goes for Zhang if he pulled off the upset.

Now THAT is a lot of ifs.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Aj matches well against zhang. He had problems with quick fisted counterpunching from ruiz and usyk and zhang is d and slow

Of course zhang is the best one punch puncher in many years (he hits harder than wilder did) so hes very dangerous early

[gilgamesh]

Once you acknowledged that the Wilder right hand was real........some people took longer to accept it........his fights were never boring because you were constantly looking for that right hand.

Those days are over now but there was a time when the right hand made him worth watching.

imo Wilder is an over achiever.
A 215-225lb heavyweight with his boxing skills(lol) aren't supposed to get past an Ortiz, Stiverne, Washington or Duhuapas. He shouldn't have been a threat to Fury either but he was.
At heavyweight a one trick pony who is usually outweighed in the ring isn't supposed to get as far as he did.

The closest thing to compare him to is Ingemar Johansson and Earnie Shavers, and he went farther than both of those guys.

How well do you think Shavers would do in this current era? He was definitely better than Wilder, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he smashed up Fury & Joshua early. So potentially number 2 heavyweight in the world behind Usyk?

He had a better overall game than Wilder, but Wilder was faster, better reach, and better stamina, so it's kinda a wash.

I think Shavers would wind up being the 3rd or 4th best guy of this era if you could drop him into it. Although head to head against Wilder, I think I'd pick Wilder because I think Wilder would beat him to the punch.

[robbydecker]

Behave, boxers get better with every generation. And Shavers is like 6 foot tall. He'd be a journeyman.

Nah, he would have smashed "prime" Wilder into next week

Yup, Wilder doesn't last long at all. When you've been fighting Ali, Holmes, Norton etc....as opposed to Stiverne, Ortiz, etc...you tend to pick up a few things. That aside, he punched way harder. Wilder would be lucky to make it to round 3.

Every generation does not mean, automatically, better. Not sure why some believe this. Examples, Ray Robinson, Ray Leonard or Thomas Hears, at WW, would destroy what is around today. Ditto Duran at LW & Khaosai Galaxy @ Super Bantam, Salvador Sanchez at FW, Lennox Lewis etc... Next generation does not equate to better. Period.

If anything, they get worse, smaller pools of fighters, less skill, less demanding fights, soooo many titles, allowed to 'duck' others. There are very few exceptions, but that is what they are, exceptions.

Good Post.
You left out the inactivity phenomenon of the modern era.
Not to mention, the proverbial chronic diva antics and attitudes of many modern day boxers.
The businessman first, boxer second mentality of many modern day boxers as well.

-Greed Greed Greed.
-Greedy Belly weight bullies.
-Big mouth divas.
-Fronting for attention, and then not backing it up.

[Ruthless-RKO]