Zhilei Zhang’s explosive right hook was enough to knock out Deontay Wilder in the fifth round of their showdown in Riyadh on Sunday.
Both fighters were looking to make a statement in this bout as their respective losses to Joseph Parker had raised doubts over their ability as contenders for the heavyweight crown.
Zhang looked the more likely to score a knockout with a flurry of punches and a big right hook in the second round to send Wilder to the ropes.
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Wilder tried to start spritely in the fourth and fifth rounds, but he lacked that lethal punching prowess he is known for instead opting for a more cautious approach.
The former WBC champion would eventually succumb to the constant pressure from the Chinese as he fell to the canvas, leaving him dazed and facing a seemingly impossible recovery battle.
The American tried to beat the referee’s count but was left on the receiving end of a devastating stoppage.
Wilder’s proposed fight with Anthony Joshua now looks unlikely as many speculate the former champion is considering retiring.
