It seemed inevitable for Zhilei Zhang, who brought down Tuscaloosa native Deontay Wilder in the fifth round of their heavyweight bout at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.
Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs) struggled to gain control against Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KOs). Attempting one of his signature right-hand punches, Wilder was spun around, allowing Zhang to capitalize with a right hand that sent Wilder to the canvas. Though Wilder attempted to get up, he stumbled, prompting the referee to stop the fight with 1:51 left in the fifth round.
Wilder, the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, enjoyed a successful pro career that saw him become the WBC heavyweight champion from 2015 to 2020. This fight was part of the 5v5 Matchroom vs. Queensberry card between promoters Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn.
Deontay Wilder Struggles with His Right Hand
Wilder is known for his lethal right hand but had difficulty deploying it against Zhang. In the third round, Wilder managed to connect a few times but couldn't land the decisive shot. He only landed nine punches out of the 64 he attempted in the first three rounds.
### Wilder Faces a Significant Weight Disadvantage
Wilder, typically the smaller fighter in terms of weight, came in at 214 pounds, well below his career-high of 238 pounds against Tyson Fury. Even against Fury, who weighed over 270 pounds in one fight, Wilder hadn't faced an opponent with a 68-pound weight advantage like Zhang. Zhang used his size to corner Wilder effectively.
What's Next for Deontay Wilder?
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Wilder's future remains uncertain. He has previously mentioned retiring before turning 40 and has contemplated retirement after his recent fights. Saudi Arabian entertainment official Turki Alalshikh posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Wilder is slated to fight Jared Anderson in Los Angeles on August 3. However, his plans remain uncertain following this defeat.
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