Heavyweight Contender Zhilei Zhang Knocks Out Deontay Wilder in Five Rounds, Eyes World Titles and Showdown with Anthony Joshua
In a stunning upset, heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang, 27-2-1 (22 KOs), dominated former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, knocking him out in the fifth round of their bout in Saudi Arabia. The victory, the most significant of Zhang’s career, comes just three months after he was upset by Joseph Parker, but puts the Chinese southpaw back in the title picture.
“Losing to Joseph Parker was silly. I highly underestimated him and I learned a lot from that fight,” Zhang admitted. “I know now what I can do.”
Despite respecting Wilder’s renowned power early on, Zhang stepped on the gas as the former champion seemed unable to pull the trigger.
A Decisive Knockout
A right hand appeared to hurt Wilder in the fifth round, making him turn around unsteadily before Zhang landed another devastating shot that sent Wilder crashing to the canvas. Though Wilder complained about the stoppage, Zhang defended the referee’s decision.
“The referee is the man in charge, and he stopped the fight for a good reason. If he hadn’t, I would have got up and unleashed my bombs, and that wouldn’t have ended well for Wilder.”
Chasing World Title Ambitions
The victory leaves Zhang, now 41 years old, eyeing a world title shot “this year or next year.” While the rematch with Parker, stipulated in their initial contract, remains a possibility, Zhang expressed his desire to face heavyweight star Anthony Joshua.
“I believe the Parker rematch will come next, but Joshua is always someone I want to fight.”
With this career-defining win, Zhang has firmly re-established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division, and the boxing world eagerly awaits his next move as he chases his world title dreams.
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