Zhilei Zhang eliminated Deontay Wilder. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
In a battle between two knockout artists, Zhilei Zhang found home first, defeating former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder via fifth-round KO.
Neither fighter looked particularly impressive all things considered, but it was a particularly bad night for Wilder, who once again looked cautious as the commentators speculated whether his career was nearing its end. Both fighters seemed very aware of each other’s strength, but it was Zhang who found his home.
Zhang clearly hurt Wilder in the second round but couldn’t finish. The end came in surprising fashion, when an errant right hook spun Wilder, leaving him open for a brutal punch to his opponent’s face.
And that was it.
This was a must-win match for both fighters, and that puts Wilder in an unenviable position. The former WBC champion has now lost four of his last five bouts and simply hasn’t looked the same since the defeat to Tyson Fury. He openly discussed retirement leading up to this fight and that seems entirely possible at this point.
Meanwhile, Zhang can stay alive after stumbling in the aftermath of his two wins over Joe Joyce. He lost by majority decision to Joseph Parker in March, but has now scored another big win at the age of 41.
I think Wilder could have continued, but Zhang probably would have clipped him again, and even if he could have escaped the round, he doesn’t look good. His balance is disturbed and he seems lost. He doesn’t need to be hit anymore.
Zhang beats Wilder in round 5 with a stunner! Wilder looked lost for most of the fight, but then turned his back on Zhang before Zhang landed the huge right hand that floored the former champion.
Round 4: A little better from Wilder, but still not enough to win the round. Zhang remains busier, but that doesn’t say much. Slow fight with not much action so far.
When a pure puncher starts boxing pure, you’re in trouble, baby. You are in trouble…
Wilder has never had good balance, but now it seems his balance is off, even when he hasn’t been caught with a punch. Zhang doesn’t do much to take advantage of this. Not yet anyway.
Round 3: Zhang makes Wilder very uncomfortable. He hasn’t found a home for his right hand and he’s being pummeled by the much bigger Zhang.
Round 2: Zhang may have hurt Wilder and fired some shots in the corner that Wilder largely avoided. Wilder looks nothing like the Wilder of old. Zhang backs him up and takes it to the former champion.
Round 1: A bit of a feeling between the two big men. Zhang’s advantage at 68 pounds is noticeable, but he didn’t let go of his hands much.
Next: The heavyweight main event between Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder.
Result: Daniel Dubois stops Filip Hrgovic at 57 seconds of the 8th round
The referee has the ring doctor look at Hrgovic’s cuts and the referee calls off the fight!
Round 7: Nice round for Dubois. Landed some big shots and is starting to take control. Hrgovic looks gassed and it’s wild that he’s still standing. Saved by the bell perhaps
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 Hrgovic doesn’t really hit hard.
Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang fight card full results
Heavyweight: Zhilei Zhang def. Deontay Wilder by KO at 1:51 of round 5
Heavyweight: Daniel Dubois def. Filip Hrgovic by technical knockout at 0:57 of round 8
Light Heavyweight: Dmitry Bivol def. Malik Zinad by TKO at 2:06 of round 6
Middleweight: Hamzah Sheeraz def. Austin Williams by TKO at 0:45 of round 11
Featherweight: Nick Ball def. Ray Ford via split decision (115-113, 113-115, 115-113)
