Zhang KOs Wilder in 5th round, probably ending his career
Chinese slugger hammers former world titleholder with big shots to hand him fourth defeat in past five fights
A note to Fight Freaks Unite readers: I created Fight Freaks Unite in January 2021 and eight months later it also became available for paid subscriptions for additional content — and as a way to help keep this newsletter going and for readers to support independent journalism. If you haven’t upgraded to a paid subscription please consider it. If you have already, I truly appreciate it! Also, consider a gift subscription for the Fight Freak in your life.
Heavyweight slugger Zhilei Zhang is best known for the destructive power in his straight left hand but it was a pair of right hooks that ended Deontay Wilder’s night in the fifth round and perhaps his career.
Zhang handed the former WBC titleholder his fourth loss — third by knockout — in his last five fights in the main event of the “5 vs. 5” card pitting fighters promoted by Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn against those on the roster of Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions on Saturday night at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where it was hours into Sunday morning by the time the card was over.
Team Queensberry had already clinched the team competition by the time Zhang knocked out Wilder, but his win gave Warren’s crew a clean sweep.
I am in my 25th year of full-time boxing coverage. Take advantage of that experience by upgrading to a paid subscription to read the rest of this post and for full access to all posts and comments — and also support independent journalism.
