Zhang Zhilei knocks out Deontay Wilder in heavyweight clash, puts exclamation point on 5v5 clean sweep for Warren
- Chinese heavyweight sends American crashing to canvas in fifth round of final fight in Saudi Arabia
- Contest pitched fighters promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and Frank Warren’s Queensberry
Zhang Zhilei put an exclamation point on a night of fights between Queensberry Promotions and Matchroom boxing by knocking out American Deontay Wilder, and likely ending the former heavyweight champion’s career in the process.
The pair’s bout was the last on the 5 v 5 card in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, in an event that pitched fighters promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and Frank Warren’s Queensberry.
Warren’s stable produced a clean sweep of wins, taking the US$3 million prize in the process.
In the final fight of the night, Zhang caught Wilder, who looked like a shadow of his former self, with a punishing right that sent the 38-year-old crashing to the canvas.
Wilder managed to get back to his feet, but wobbled as he walked toward the referee, and was counted out.
“I would like to thank every friend who came here [from all] over the world and fans in China, it is midnight there and you are watching me,” Zhang told DAZN after the fight.
