Zhilei Zhang has positioned himself as one of the top heavyweight contenders in recent times, so is well-placed to assess the power of his rivals.
Zhang himself is known to pack a serious punch as one of the heaviest men in the banner division. He showed this once more with his latest victory out in Saudi Arabia on the 5 v 5 Matchroom versus Queensberry event when he stopped Deontay Wilder inside five.
After pushing ‘The Bronze Bomber’ back for most of the fight, he caught him with a right hand in the fifth round which sent him spinning around, back towards the ropes. One more right hand was enough to send the former WBC champion to the canvas and, many believe, quite possibly into retirement.
Speaking to Title Sports Network, Zhang was asked to compare Wilder’s power to anybody else he has shared the ring with, but made the surprising admission that he didn’t really feel it.
“Not as hard as I thought but it could possibly be that he didn’t really unleash the power, I didn’t really feel it. It is what it is.”
Of Wilder’s 43 wins he has won 42 by KO and is commonly regarded as one of the hardest hitters in the history of the sport.
Zhang has now stated he wants a second fight with Joseph Parker in order to try and reverse the loss he suffered in their first encounter before he goes after world titles. At 41 years of age, he will have to move fast if he is to fulfil those dreams.
