Heavyweight Boxing Icon Deontay Wilder’s Career in Jeopardy After Shock Knockout Loss
Deontay Wilder’s reign as a top heavyweight contender and perhaps his entire professional boxing career are now in serious jeopardy following a devastating knockout loss to Zhilei Zhang in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
The former WBC heavyweight champion, known as the “Bronze Bomber,” was caught flush by a short right hand from Zhang in the fifth round, which sent him crashing to the canvas. Wilder managed to beat the count, but referee Kieran McCann rightfully stopped the contest, as the American was clearly in no condition to continue.
Wilder’s professional record now stands at 43 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw, with an impressive 42 knockouts. However, his aura of invincibility has been shattered in recent years, with a three-fight series against Tyson Fury resulting in two losses and a draw, and his last outing against Joseph Parker in December 2022 also ending in defeat.
“While Wilder’s power has always been his primary weapon, his technical deficiencies in the ring have been exposed time and time again.”
Against the towering Zhang, the 37-year-old appeared hesitant and lacked the urgency that had previously carried him to 40 straight victories to begin his career. Zhang, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist, seized the opportunity to secure the biggest win of his professional journey. The Chinese heavyweight boxed smartly, weathering Wilder’s early onslaught before landing the decisive blows in the fifth round. This victory represents a crucial bounce-back for Zhang, who had suffered a defeat to Joseph Parker in his previous outing.
The “5 vs 5” card, a collaboration between Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions, ultimately proved to be a one-sided affair, with Warren’s fighters emerging victorious in each of the evening’s contests.
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