jack baer
Staff writer
In a fight between two knockout artists, Zhilei Zhang found home first, defeating former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder via KO in the fifth round.
Neither fighter looked very impressive all things considered, but it was an especially bad night for Wilder, who again looked tentative as the commentators speculated if his career was nearing its end. Both fighters seemed very aware of each other's power, but it was Zhang who was finding home.
Zhang clearly hurt Wilder in the second round, but couldn't finish it off. The ending came in surprising fashion, when an errant right hook left Wilder spinning, leaving him open to a brutal blow to the face from his opponent.
And that was it.
Deontay Wilder gets knocked out in the 5th round 😳 #5vs5
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 2, 2024
This was a must-win match for both fighters, and that leaves Wilder in an unenviable position. The former WBC champion has now lost four of his last five matches and simply hasn't looked the same since losing to Tyson Fury. He openly discussed retirement in the run-up for this fight and that is looking very possible right now.
Meanwhile, Zhang gets to stay alive after stumbling in the aftermath of his two wins over Joe Joyce. He lost to Joseph Parker via majority decision in March, but has now notched another big win at the age of 41.
Zhang's win was part of a clean sweep for Queensberry in its 5v5 against Matchroom, winning $3 million in Riyadh. Here's how everything went down live:
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Yahoo Sports Staff
RESULT: Zhilei Zhang def. Deontay Wilder by KO at 1:51 of Round 5
Deontay Wilder gets knocked out in the 5th round 😳 #5vs5
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
Are we getting AJ x Dubois at Wembley? I’m down.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
I think Wilder could have continued but Zhang would have likely clipped him again, and even if he could have escaped the round, he doesn't look right in there. His equilibrium is off, and he seems lost. He doesn't need to be getting hit anymore.
— Douglass Fischer (@dougiefischer) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
ZHANG STOPS WILDER IN THE 5TH
— 🌴ᴛʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴏꜰᴡᴀʀ🌴 (@TheArtOfWar6) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
It's a BIG win for BIG Bang... And an even bigger win for Queensberry...
1️⃣0️⃣ #QueensberryVsMatchroom 0️⃣#5vs5 @DAZNBoxing #ZhangWilder pic.twitter.com/1IQcAysYeS
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
BIG BANG ZHANG. Bloomfield, NJ represent.
He KOs Wilder, who I think is done. That wasn’t great.
10-0 QB beats MR. Damn.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
Zhang KOs Wilder in Round 5 in a stunner! Wilder looked lost for most of the fight, then turned his back to Zhang before Zhang landed the huge right hand that floored the former champ.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Down goes Wilder!!
Yahoo Sports Staff
Round 4: A tiny bit better from Wilder, but still not enough to win the round. Zhang staying busier, but that isn't saying much. Slow-paced fight with not much action so far.
Yahoo Sports Staff
When a pure puncher starts to purely box, you’re in trouble, baby. You’re in trouble…
— Sergio Mora 🐍 (@TheLatinSnake_) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
Wilder has never had good balance, but now it looks like his equilibrium is off, even when he hasn't been caught with a punch. Zhang isn't doing much to take advantage of this, tho. Not yet, anyway.
— Douglass Fischer (@dougiefischer) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
Round 3: Zhang is making Wilder very uncomfortable. He hasn't found a home for his right hand and he's getting pummeled by the much bigger Zhang.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Round 2: Zhang may have hurt Wilder and was unloading some shots in the corner that Wilder mostly avoided. Wilder doesn't look at all like the Wilder of old. Zhang is backing him down and taking it to the former champ.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Round 1: A bit of a feeling out round between the two big men. Zhang's 68-pound size advantage is noticeable, but he didn't let his hands go much.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Up next: The heavyweight main event between Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Result: Daniel Dubois stops Filip Hrgovic at 57 seconds of 8th round
The ref has the ring doctor look at Hrgovic's cuts and the ref calls the bout!
Yahoo Sports Staff
Round 7: Nice round for Dubois. Landed some big shots and is starting to take control. Hrgovic looks gassed and it's wild he is still standing. Saved by the bell perhaps
Yahoo Sports Staff
Round 6: More punches from both sides, but Dubois looks strong.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Did someone outlaw body punches and nobody told us?
Yahoo Sports Staff
Either Dubois has a chin of steel or Hrgovic doesn't punch really hard.
Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang fight card full results
Heavyweight: Zhilei Zhang def. Deontay Wilder by KO at 1:51 of Round 5
Heavyweight: Daniel Dubois def. Filip Hrgovic by TKO at 0:57 of Round 8
Light heavyweight: Dmitry Bivol def. Malik Zinad by TKO at 2:06 of Round 6
Middleweight: Hamzah Sheeraz def. Austin Williams by TKO at 0:45 of Round 11
Featherweight: Nick Ball def. Ray Ford by split decision (115-113, 113-115, 115-113)
Light heavyweight: Willy Hutchinson def. Craig Richards by unanimous decision (116-112, 117-111, 119-109)
