Zhang Zhilei defeats Deontay Wilder. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
In a battle of two knockout artists, Zhang Zhilei took the lead by knocking out former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in the fifth round.
Neither fighter was particularly impressive overall, but Wilder had a particularly bad night, looking tentative again as commentators speculated his career was nearing its end, and while both fighters seemed well aware of the other’s strength, it was Zhang who held his own.
Zhang clearly hurt Wilder in the second round but couldn’t finish it, ending in surprising fashion when a missed right hook sent Wilder spinning and leaving him vulnerable to brutal strikes to the face from his opponent.
that’s all.
This is a must-win bout for both men, and Wilder is the underdog. The former WBC champion has lost four of his last five fights and has not been his former self since his loss to Tyson Fury. He had publicly called it quits leading up to this fight, and retirement is now very much on the cards.
Zhang, meanwhile, stumbled after two wins over Joe Joyce and survived, losing a majority decision to Joseph Parker in March, before scoring another big win at age 41.
Chan’s win was part of Queensberry’s comprehensive 5-on-5 victory over Matchroom, which earned her $3 million in Riyadh. Watch the live coverage below:
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Result: Zhang Jie Lei defeats Deontay Wilder by knockout at 1 minute 51 seconds of the fifth round
I think Wilder could have stayed in the fight, but Zhang would probably have hit him again, and even if Wilder had escaped that round, he doesn’t look good. He looks off-balance and confused. He doesn’t need to take any more hits.
Zhang won by a stunning KO in the fifth round! Wilder looked lost for much of the fight, but the moment he turned his back to Zhang, Zhang landed a powerful right punch that knocked the former champion down.
Round 4: Wilder has a slight advantage but not enough to win the round. Zhang is busier but it doesn’t mean much. A slow-paced fight so far with not much action.
When a pure puncher starts doing pure boxing, you’re in trouble, baby. You’re in trouble…
Wilder has never been particularly well-balanced — he looks off-balance even when he’s not getting punched — but Zhang hasn’t taken much advantage of this, at least not yet.
Round 3: Zhang is making Wilder really struggle, unable to find a place to land his right hand and constantly getting pummeled by the much bigger Zhang.
Round 2: Zhang may have done some damage to Wilder, landing some punches in the corner that Wilder mostly avoided. Wilder looks nothing like the Wilder of old. Zhang is forcing him back and challenging the former champion.
Round 1: A bit of a probing round between the two big men, with Zhang’s 68-pound size advantage noticeable, but he doesn’t put in much effort.
Up next is the heavyweight main event between Zhang Zhilei and Deontay Wilder.
Result: Daniel Dubois stops Filip Hrgovic in 57 seconds of the eighth round
The referee had the ring doctor examine Hrgovic’s cut and then called the bout over.
Round 7: Good round for Dubois. He lands some big shots and starts to take control. Hrgovic looks tired and it’s amazing he’s still standing. Maybe the bell saved him.
Round 6: More punches from both fighters, but Dubois looks the stronger.
Did someone ban body punches and no one tell us?
Either Dubois has a chin of steel or Hrgovic doesn’t punch that hard.
Deontay Wilder vs. Zhang Zhilei Full match results
Heavyweight: Zhang Zilei defeats Deontay Wilder by knockout at 1 minute 51 seconds in the fifth round
Heavyweight: Daniel Dubois defeats Filip Hrgovic by TKO at 0:57 of the 8th round
Light heavyweight: Dmitry Bivol defeats Malik Zinad by TKO at 2:06 in the sixth round
Middleweight: Hamza Sheeraz defeats Austin Williams by TKO at 0:45 in the 11th round
Featherweight: Nick Ball defeats Ray Ford by split decision (115-113, 113-115, 115-113)
