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.
“I lost to [Joseph] Parker, it was a fair loss. He was the better man that night. I’ve learned since then. As long as the bell doesn’t ring, stay focused.
“I had to pretend Wilder didn’t have a right hand and I successfully took it away. Wilder punches hard, I give him a lot of respect.”
The Chinese 41-year-old lost his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) interim heavyweight title to Parker in March by majority decision, but seemed determined to get back on the path towards a heavyweight title.
As for Wilder, the calls for him to retire will be stronger than ever, and commentator Mike Costello said the America “looked at times like a man who had already retired”.
Wilder mounted 10 successful defences of his WBC title from 2015 to 2020 and boasts a career record of 42 knockouts in 43 wins, but has only won one of three fights since his second defeat to Tyson Fury.
In the night’s penultimate contest, Britain’s Daniel Dubois took a huge step towards heavyweight world title contention after stopping IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic in the eighth round of their fight.
Referee John Latham intervened 57 seconds into the round on doctors’ advice at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh with the big Croatian bleeding from cuts over the eyes.
The fight was for the interim belt, which could become a world championship title if Ukraine’s undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk relinquishes his or is stripped by the sanctioning body.
The winner could also be lined up for a title fight with former champion Anthony Joshua, who was watching from ringside.
“I’ve heard the next opponent will be AJ, so bring it on,” Dubois told DAZN after the outstanding performance of his career to date. “I’m anxious to become the best, this is my era and my time. I’m glad I’ve got this IBF belt and on to the next.”
Promoter Frank Warren said that fight could be at London’s Wembley in September.
The defeat was a professional first for Hrgovic, who now has a record of 17-1 while Dubois has 21 wins and two defeats, including a loss to Usyk in August.
Hrgovic led the opening rounds but the blood started flowing from the second round and Dubois sensed events were going his way.
The Croatian looked out on his feet in the seventh, with Dubois landing some punishing blows and adding to the damage from the cuts, but somehow made it to the bell.
“The round before the last, I was getting to him. It was just coming together like magic,” said Dubois, who admitted he had taken time to warm up.
“It’s all a learning experience. I’ve come from rock bottom last year and now we’re back on top.”
