WATCH: Heavyweight title contender Zhilei Zhang knock out Deontay Wilder in the 5th round
If that was it for Deontay Wilder, he went out with a bang – the powerful right hand of “Big Bang’’ Zhilei Zhang.
Zhang knocked out Wilder at 1:51 of the fifth round of their heavyweight bout in Saudi Arabia, sending the American boxer to his fourth defeat in his past five fights — in what might have been his last fight.
Before the fight, Wilder called the bout a make-or-break moment and entertained the possibility of retirement. He looked broken when he got hit by two Zhang rights in the fifth round that dropped him to the canvas.
The 6-foot-6 Zhang weighed in at 282 pounds, 68 pounds heavier than Wilder did at 214.
The proof was in the punch.
When Zhang landed the knockout punch, it was with massive force.
The 6-foot-7 Wilder did land a few powerful right hands earlier in the round. But Zhang absorbed them before finishing off Wilder.
Wilder had grazed Zhang with a right hand and appeared to be complaining to the referee before he got hit with the knockout punch. Wilder did not participate in an in-ring interview after the fight.
Wilder, 38, fell to 43-4-1. Zhang, the 41-year-old southpaw from China, improved to 27-2-1.
Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang: Round 1
Big Bang Zhang, wow, looking BIG all right. Especially as he backs Wilder into a corner. Wilder slides free. More than a minute in, waiting on the first real punch. Wilder throws a right, but nothing memorable. Boxers pawing at each other. With that 68-pound weight advantage, Zhang looks like the natural aggressor. Zhang 10, Wilder 9.
Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang: Round 2
Wilder lands a right, but looks scared. Zhang now unloading as he corners Wilder. Wilder trying to punch his way out. Zhang lets him free, but he’s backing him into the corner again. Wilder not looking confident at all. Wilder lands a right, but no follow-up as he drifts into the corner again and takes a hard right. Zhang 20, Wilder 18.
Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang: Round 3
Zhang moves forward like a battle carrier. Lands a left and Wilder already looks to be in trouble, looking for a safe place. Wonder what happened to Wilder’s electric right hand? Did they lose it at baggage claim? Once again, Wilder in the corner. Zhang lands a couple of lefts. Zhang 30, Wilder 27.
Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang: Round 4
Wilder scurries away from Zhang, almost falls to the canvas. These two might set a Compubox record for fewest punches per round. To do it, you won’t need all of your fingers and toes. Wilder throws a hard right, Zhang counters with a left. Zhang 40, Wilder 36.
Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang: Round 5
Wilder connects with a right. Follows with another. Here comes Wilder! Throwing thunder. Zhang fights back and they get tangled up. Wilder unleashes another, and he looks like a different fighter now. Well, DOWN he goes! Zhang floors Wilder with a HUGE right. Wilder does not make the count.
Related Posts
-
Watch: Dong Hyun Kim cartwheel kick helps him win in UFC Fight Night 79
-
Arianny Celeste Domestic Violence Charges Dropped Due to ‘Insufficient Evidence’ – MMA Fighting
-
UFC Girl Jessica Cambensy opens eyes with LSP hair and World Cup ads
-
Chinese boxer Xiong Zhao Zhong Makes History With WBC Title Win
About The Author
