Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang engaged in an exhilarating heavyweight boxing match on Saturday evening. Wilder fought hard but lost within the fifth round round after Zhang brutally knocked him out. After all, the jarring end to the fight has social media in a daze.
Zhilei Zhang gave a near-perfect counter to certainly one of Wilder’s punches within the fifth round, leaving him stunned. Zhang quickly rushed in and delivered a right hand that sent Wilder to the bottom. Wilder gathered himself and stood up but was unsteady. In consequence, the official called the match, which led to an important win for Zhang.
The defeat was the fourth fight Deontay Wilder lost in his last five matches. Fans on social media applauded Zhang for his outstanding effort but were equally as critical of Wilder’s performance.
“He’s 38 and rapidly declining offensively and defensively,” one X user commented. “Too small for heavyweight. [His] chin is gone, [and] he doesn’t even throw punches anymore.”
“Is that this the top of Deontay Wilder’s profession?” one other fan boldly proposed.
Others criticized Wilder’s technique and approach.
“Wilder’s technique is catching up with him in his old age. Can only get away with 1 punching people for therefore long. When the facility is gone, it is time to wrap it up,” an X user said.
Many fans noted that Wilder has not been the identical since his loss to Tyson Fury.
“I said it persistently before. After Wilder’s first loss against Tyson, he became a shell of himself. He remained in the sport just for money, knowing he could never regain the title,” one fan claimed.
Despite harsh reactions from fans, Zhilei Zhang gave Wilder a number of credit.
Zhilei Zhang gives Deontay Wilder credit after brutal knockdown
Zhang had a standout defensive night and countered when it mattered most. Nevertheless, he gave Wilder respect after the fight.
“I give him a number of respect. He’s a heavy puncher…I successfully took his right hand away,” Zhang said, per ESPN.
Zhang entered the fight as ESPN’s No. 6 heavyweight. He won a silver medal as an excellent heavyweight on the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Meanwhile, Wilder had claimed bronze within the heavyweight division. Zhang’s victory has put him on what he calls the “road to champion.” He aspires to face Oleksandr Usyk, who beat Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight championship in Riyadh in May.
It stays to be seen what Deontay Wilder’s next move will probably be. He took a tricky loss, however it is rarely too late to bounce back. Will fans see him in one other high-level boxing match soon?
