In a shocking turn of events, former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder was brutally knocked out by Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang during the main event of the Queensberry vs Matchroom 5 vs 5 tournament in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night. The fight, which was highly anticipated by boxing fans, ended in dramatic fashion, leaving many questioning Wilder’s future in the sport.
In the fifth round, Zhang landed a devastating counter-right hook that left Wilder confused and concussed. The blow, which came after a strategic counter, visibly disoriented Wilder, who appeared to seek assistance from the referee. The Chinese heavyweight, who outweighed Wilder by five stone on fight night, capitalized on the opportunity by chasing his opponent and delivering a ruthless follow-up punch that floored Wilder.
The brutal punch sent Wilder’s head bouncing off the canvas, and he lay motionless for a moment, creating a tense atmosphere around the ring. The dramatic footage, released by DAZN, showed ‘The Bronze Bomber’ struggling to regain his composure. Wilder managed to get back on his feet by the referee’s count of nine, but his staggering steps towards the official prompted the referee to wave off the bout, declaring Zhang the winner.
Boxing fans quickly took to social media to express their reactions to the fight. The ringside footage sparked a flurry of comments and questions about Wilder’s performance and his apparent disorientation during the final moments. One fan tweeted, “He got Rocked!!!!” while another remarked, “He was caught totally off guard.” Some fans were puzzled by Wilder’s actions, with one asking, “What was he spinning around like that for?” and another commenting, “What was he trying to tell the ref?”
This loss significantly impacts Wilder’s future prospects, including a much-discussed potential fight with Anthony Joshua, which now seems unlikely given Wilder’s recent record. After starting his career with an impressive 42-0-1 record, including 41 knockouts, Wilder has now lost four of his last five fights, casting a shadow over his once-dominant career.
At 38 years old, Wilder has yet to comment on his future in boxing. However, the back-to-back losses suggest that retirement could be on the horizon. Fans and analysts alike are waiting to see whether ‘The Bronze Bomber’ will decide to hang up his gloves or attempt another comeback in the ring.
The knockout by Zhilei Zhang not only showcases the Chinese heavyweight’s rising prominence in the sport but also underscores the unpredictable and often brutal nature of boxing. As the dust settles from this stunning upset, the boxing world is left to ponder the future of one of its most formidable fighters.
