Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang face off at the top of the bill this weekend in Riyadh, with the loser facing serious questions about retirement.
The two heavy-hitters are both coming off losses to Joseph Parker, adding more intrigue on top of the already explosive style match-up.
Zhang, 41, managed to drop Parker twice but ultimately dropped rounds in the second half of the fight and lost a majority decision. Wilder on the other hand looked tentative and gun-shy – a description not suited to his career up until that point. The American lost a shut-out unanimous decision.
Whilst Parker moves closer to world titles, Zhang and Wilder must bounce back in a big way. With over 60 knockouts between them, not many fans will be backing this one to go the distance.
That includes trainer Shane McGuigan, who fancies Zhang to time ‘The Bronze Bomber’ with his heavy shots from the southpaw stance. He told Seconds Out the 37-year-old American ‘looks shot.’
“No. I feel like if Zhang trains for it he should time him. He’s got underrated boxing ability. He’s got good timing. Parker’s got a better chin for a single shot than Wilder does. I just think Wilder doesn’t look at the races. Something looks missing. If he can come back from that last one, bravo because he just looked shot.”
The pair do battle as part of the 5 vs 5 concept between promoters Matchroom and Queensberry. Fans can tune in live on DAZN this Saturday night.
