Zhang vs Wilder Fight Results: Zhilei Zhang Knocks Out Wilder

He promised Chinese power all week, and we all witnessed it during the main event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Zhilei Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KOs) put it all together and scored a fifth-round knockout victory over Deontay Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs). It was a simple counter overhand right by Zhang that caught Wilder enough to spin him around and Zhang came right back with another overhand right that knocked down Wilder. He did get up but Wilder was knocked out on his feet.

The first round consisted of both fighters pawing with their lead hand. Wilder avoided Zhang’s straight left hand, but he was able to land some right hands on Zhang early in the first round. Zhang kept the pressure on Wilder in the second round and forced him to a corner where he unloaded on Wilder. Wilder would get out of the corner, but Zhang would land a looping right hand that would get Wilder’s attention.

Zhang continued his pressure and landed more of his overhand right, which caused Wilder issues throughout the third round. Wilder kept looking for the perfect shot, but it didn’t present itself during the round. Both fighters were cautious in the fourth round as Zhang’s pressure pushed Wilder back.

In the fifth round, Zhang caught Wilder, spun him around, and landed the crushing left hand that ended the fight. During the in-ring interview, Zhang was asked about Wilder’s punching power, and he said, “I blocked a few punches, but hell yeah, he hits hard.” Now Zhang is in a great position to either demand the Anthony Joshua fight or get the rematch with Joseph Parker. Either way, Zhang has regained the momentum he lost earlier this year.

Abraham Gonzalez

Abraham Gonzalez is the founder of FightsATW. His journalistic work has been published and used across several platforms to include online, network TV and promotional companies. He is an American Public University alumnus and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). Abraham was the Managing Editor for NYFights, Big Fight Weekend, contributed to FanSidedMMA and ProBoxTV.

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