Zhilei Zhang finishes Deontay Wilder in brutal 5th-round TKO
Zhilei Zhang scored the biggest win of his career on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, possibly ending former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder's career in the process.
China's Zhang, 41, landed a perfectly timed counter right hook that left Wilder dazed. Zhang (27-2-1, 21 KOs) then rushed in and delivered another right hand, sending Wilder hard to the canvas.
Wilder, 38, managed to get up before the count of 10, but his unsteady legs prompted the referee to stop the fight at 1:51 of Round 5.
**Punch Stats**
| | Wilder | Zhang |
|---------------|--------|-------|
| Total landed | 16 | 33 |
| Total thrown | 95 | 73 |
| Percent | 17% | 45% |
| Jabs landed | 5 | 4 |
| Jabs thrown | 53 | 16 |
| Percent | 9% | 25% |
| Power landed | 11 | 29 |
| Power thrown | 42 | 57 |
| Percent | 26% | 51% |
**Source: CompuBox**
"I blocked a few punches, but hell yeah, he punches hard," Zhang said through an interpreter about Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs), known as one of the most powerful punchers in heavyweight history. "I give him a lot of respect. He's a heavy puncher. ... I successfully took his right hand away."
Wilder has now lost four of his past five fights, including a decision defeat to Joseph Parker in December and two losses to Tyson Fury in their heavyweight championship trilogy. Before the fight, Wilder indicated that a loss might signal the end of his career.
Zhang, also coming off a decision loss to Parker, has now revived his quest for the championship, currently held by Oleksandr Usyk, who defeated Fury for the undisputed title.
Zhang was the -150 favorite against Wilder, according to ESPN BET. Ranked No. 6 by ESPN, Zhang faced No. 7-ranked Wilder. Zhang won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics, while Wilder took bronze. Zhang's size advantage was significant, weighing 68.2 pounds more than Wilder.
Using his size, Zhang bullied Wilder and landed right hooks consistently. In Round 5, after Wilder scored with a chopping right hand, Zhang countered with a decisive right that ended the fight.
This victory was part of a unique 5 vs. 5 team concept between Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions and Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, created by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority. Following Zhang's TKO win, Alalshikh presented Warren with a $3 million check.
Daniel Dubois also achieved a notable victory, stopping Filip Hrgovic on cuts in Round 8, setting up a fight against Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium. Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs) won the IBF interim title with his win. Hrgovic, suffering cuts above both eyes, could not continue after the eighth round.
Hamzah Sheeraz secured a middleweight world title shot by stopping Austin Williams in the 11th round. Sheeraz (20-0, 16 KOs) will face the winner of Carlos Adames vs. Terrell Gausha.
Dmitry Bivol retained his WBA light heavyweight title with a sixth-round TKO of Malik Zinad. Bivol (23-0, 11 KOs) is set to face Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed light heavyweight championship in October.
Nick Ball captured the WBA featherweight title with a split points win over Raymond Ford. Ball (20-0-1, 11 KOs) felt vindicated after being denied victory in his previous title fight.
Willy Hutchinson dominated Craig Richards in the opening fight, winning a unanimous decision and securing the vacant WBC Silver light heavyweight title.
The unique event, headlined by Zhang's victory, showcased a mix of emerging and established talent, with implications for the future of the heavyweight division and beyond.
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