Zhang puts the icing on the 5v5 cake by icing Wilder

THE RESULT: Zhilei Zhang landed two thudding proper palms on Deontay Wilder, eliminating the former WBC champion in spherical 5. This was the closing contest of the Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5v5 invoice in Riyadh.

The first proper hook badly surprised Wilder. The second practically turned his lights out. To his credit score, the previously feared finisher staggered to his ft and tried to persuade ref Kieran McCann that he was OK. The ref and the boxing public thought in any other case, and his night time (and probably complete profession) was over similar to that.

KEY MOMENTS: Even although Wilder appeared barely buzzed early on in the contest, the halfway level of spherical 5 produced the foremost second as Zhang detonated the proper hooks. Wilder had truly proven some belated indicators of life in that spherical earlier than the stoppage.

RECORDS: Zhang improves to 27-2-1 (22 KOs). Wilder falls to 43-4-1 (42 KOs).

TALKING POINT: So many speaking factors round this battle, earlier than, throughout and after. Wilder was extremely mild once more, weighing 68 kilos lower than his opponent. Could Zhang retain that devastating hand pace regardless of his age and weight? You wager he might.

Could Wilder rediscover the killer intuition of outdated? No, he couldn’t. The identical torpid Wilder who misplaced to Joseph Parker returned to the Kingdom. 

As for Zhang, he additionally misplaced to Parker, nevertheless it was right down to a scarcity of ring exercise and any type of work price. His exercise was barely any higher right here, however he didn’t should journey the full 12 rounds.

QUOTABLE: Speaking by way of a translator, Zhang celebrated his ‘Big Bang’ proper hand and Chinese energy. He additionally spoke on how necessary it was to remove the proper hand whereas confirming that Deontay’s energy was extraordinarily authentic.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?: This was Wilder’s fourth profession loss and the third by devastating stoppage. He was speaking about retirement beforehand, and it’s laborious to see the place he goes from right here aside from hanging up the gloves.

Even although Zhang received the bout, he’s no spring rooster at 41, and his power and stamina points won’t go away at this stage. After this win, although, one other bumper payday is coming his approach. Names like Parker (rematch) or Agit Kabayel have been talked about.