Boxing Superstar Wilder Suffers Shock Defeat, Hints at Retirement
In a stunning turn of events, former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder suffered a decisive defeat at the hands of Zhilei Zhang in their main event fight at the ‘5 vs 5’ event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The loss has raised serious questions about Wilder’s future in the sport, with the American boxer hinting at potential retirement if he failed to emerge victorious.
Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs) was stopped in the fifth round by the 41-year-old Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KOs), marking a clean sweep for Queensberry Promotions over Matchroom Boxing. The concussive blow delivered by Zhang proved to be the final punch of the fight, as Wilder’s unsteady legs and foggy eyes prompted referee Kieran McCann to stop the contest at 1:51 of the fifth round, despite Wilder’s objections.
Earlier in the week, Wilder had expressed the gravity of the situation, stating,
“This fight I am holding as my last stand, my last chance, and that’s what I am taking it accordingly as.”
The 38-year-old boxer, known for his warrior mentality and unwavering determination, had vowed to prove he still had what it takes to compete at the highest level. However, the harsh reality of his fourth loss in his last five fights, three of which were knockout defeats, has left Wilder contemplating his future in the sport.
As Wilder was filmed leaving the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, he did not provide any comments or conduct interviews, suggesting a time for deep introspection. The former champion’s defeat marked a significant shift in the boxing landscape, with Queensberry Promotions emerging victorious over their rivals, Matchroom Boxing, in this highly anticipated bout.
🔗 Source
