Zhilei Zhang directed Deontay Wilder. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
In a battle between two knockout artists, Zhilei Zhang came home first, defeating former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder via KO in the fifth round.
Neither fighter looked very impressive, but it was a particularly bad night for Wilder, who looked tentative once again as commentators speculated whether his career was coming to an end. Both fighters seemed fully aware of each other’s strength, but it was Zhang who had found his home.
Zhang clearly hurt Wilder in the second round, but he couldn’t finish it. The end came in surprising fashion, when Wilder let an errant right hook spin, leaving him vulnerable to a brutal blow to the face from his opponent.
And it was him.
This was a must-win bout for both fighters, and that leaves Wilder in an unenviable position. The former WBC champion has now lost four of his last five fights and has not looked the same since his loss to Tyson Fury. He has openly discussed retirement in the lead-up to this fight and that seems very possible at the moment.
Meanwhile, Chang manages to survive a stumble in the aftermath of his win over Joe Joyce. He lost to Joseph Parker by majority decision in March, but has now scored another major win at the age of 41.
Zhang’s win was part of Queensberry’s 5-on-5 sweep against Matchroom, where he won $3 million in Riyadh. Here’s how it all went live:
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Result: Zhilei Zhang def. Deontay Wilder by KO at 1:51 of round five
Will we get AJ x Dubois at Wembley? I am depressed.
I think Wilder could have continued, but Chang would have likely cut him off again, and even if he could have escaped the round, he doesn’t look there. He was off balance, and seemed lost. He doesn’t have to be beaten anymore.
Zhang KOs Wilder in the 5th round in amazing fashion! Wilder looked lost for most of the fight, then turned his back on Zhang before landing a huge right hand that knocked out the former champion.
Round 4: Slightly better than Wilder, but still not enough to win the round. Chang stays busier, but that’s not saying much. A slow paced battle with not much action yet.
When pure punching starts to go down in boxing, you’re in trouble, baby. You are in trouble…
Wilder has never had good balance, but now his balance seems off, even when he’s not getting punched. However, Zhang does little to take advantage of this. Not now anyway.
Round 3: Chang makes Wilder very uncomfortable. He couldn’t find a suitable place for his right hand, and was beaten by the much larger Zhang.
Round 2: Chang may have hurt Wilder and was landing some shots in the corner that Wilder mostly avoided. Wilder doesn’t look like the old Wilder at all. Zhang supports him and takes him to the former champion.
Round 1: A bit of feeling between the two big men. Chang’s 68-pound size advantage is noticeable, but he didn’t let his hands get too far.
Next: Heavyweight main event between Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder.
Result: Daniel Dubois stops Filip Hrjovic at 57 seconds of the eighth round
The referee makes the doctor look at Hrjovic’s wounds and the referee calls for the match!
Round 7: Nice round for Dubois. I got some big shots and started to take control. Hrjovic appears gassed and is still standing. Maybe the bell saved her
Round 6: More punches from both sides, but Dubois looks strong.
Did someone ban body punches and no one told us?
Either Dubois has a chin of steel or Hrjovic just doesn’t punch hard.
Deontay Wilder vs. Chili Chang Fight card full results
Heavyweight: Zhilei Zhang def. Deontay Wilder by KO at 1:51 of round five
Heavyweight: Daniel Dubois defeated. Filip Hrjovic by TKO at 0:57 of round eight
Light Heavyweight: Dmitry Bivol def. Malek was defeated by TKO at 2:06 of the sixth round
Middleweight: Hamza Shiraz defeated. Austin Williams by TKO at 0:45 of round 11
Featherweight: Nick Paul Dave. Ray Ford by split decision (115-113, 113-115, 115-113)
