5 vs. 5 Main Event at Kingdom Arena! Odds of a Deontay Wilder Comeback Against Zhilei Zhang, With Undercard Predictions
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By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (May 30th, 2024)– The Bronze Bomber, Deontay Wilder, 43-3-1 with 22 knockouts, age 38, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, will attempt a comeback at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday evening, June 1, 2024, in a scheduled 12 rounder against durable southpaw Zhilei Zhang, 26-2-1 with 21 knockouts, Bloomfield, New Jersey, by way of Zhoukou, China, age 41. The five versus five show in Riyadh will feature five Queensberry fighters versus five Matchroom fighters, pitting promoter Frank Warren against promoter Eddie Hearn in a unique promoter versus promoter five bout DAZN and ESPN +pay-per-view’battle royale’.
Wilder stands 6’7″ to Zhang’s 6’6″. Wilder weighs in vicinity 213 to 238 pounds, while Zhang will outweigh Wilder by 60 to 80 pounds at 277 to 291 pounds. Wilder will have superior mobility by weight, however Zhang, as evidenced by his second round rematch knockout of Joe Joyce, has the edge in size and power. Wilder hinted this could be the final pro bout of his career.
Against Joseph Parker, Wilder’s power, punches and timing were way off. Clearly he had not prepared for a durable, superior ring technician outworking him. Zhang did better against Parker, needing to flip only one round to earn a majority draw, decking parker twice. Clearly, Wilder will need to be in superior conditioning. If Zhang hits Wilder flush, he will go down. The key is whether Wilder can train for accuracy to be able to take Zhang out. WIdler is not a superior boxer. Wilder could knock Zhang out. To do this, Wilder will have to have superior maneuverability in the ring, and pinpoint perfect timing, sort of like Muhammad Ali’s ability to time George Foreman. Zhang is an older boxer, but has more ring smarts and raw boxing skill than Foreman.
The outcome of the 12 round bout hinges on which version of Deontay Wilder shows up in Riyadh. A tired version of Wilder in a long affair will leave him susceptible to getting knocked out. If Wilder can move out of range and nail Zhang over the top, Zhang’s chin will be tested. Zhang’s career started late and blossomed late, and he beat Joe Joyce twice.
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Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang Betting Odds
The following Zhang vs. Wilder odds are courtesy of Bovada:
Zhilei Zhang (-170), Deontay Wilder (+130), Over 7.5 rounds (+105), Under 7.5 rounds (-135). Oddsmakers have Zhang (-170) as the favorite over Wilder. As a -170 favorite, Zhang has an implied chance of almost 63% to win. Wilder will likely see plenty of support from public bettors, but Zhang is the current favorite at boxing betting sites. The over/under line is set at 7.5 rounds, so the bookmakers expect a knockout in this one! Zhang is several years older than Wilder, who could have a great advantage at a lower weight than Zhang if Wilder can stick and move, and throw power shots on the move. Zhang is a modern day version of George Foreman, only Zhang is heavier and moves slower than Foreman. The only advantage Zhang has is if opponents like Joy Joyce get in front of Zhang and just stay there. Zhang’s weight range is 278 to 191 pounds. Wilder’s weight range is 213 to 238. Wilder can move faster, while the slower Zhang has a taller heavier power frame and can throw bombs. Wilder’s timing was way off in the Joseph Parker bout. Wilder has to train for a longer bout, where his power and work rate are more accurate in a lengthy contest.
Wilder has one attribute the bookies have not taken seriously. Wilder has an 83.1 inches reach to Zhang’s 78 inches reach. If Wilder can get inside, land with power and get out, this would be his greatest advantage. Zhang is a colossus, and if Wilder gets hit by Zhang it could be lights out and goodbye on his career. This reporter agrees with the bookie that a knockout is the likely end to the bout. Zhang is big, but at age 41 his late start career could be running out of time.
This reporter predicts Wilder will win this bout by a curious 12 round decision or middle rounds knockout. This is because Wilder weights less and can move better. Zhang has power but lumbers around too slow, much like George Foreman did against Muhammad Ali in ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ in Kinshasa, Zaire. ‘Big Bang’ Zhang is methodical, not as emotional as Foreman was. However, Zhang is slow and older. Wilder cannot stand in front of bigger Zhang and slug it out. Such a game plan would be foolish. Wilder has to hit the slower, heavier Zhang moving in and out superfast and make his stamina and work rate last accurately and into the later rounds. Wilder better not underestimate Zhang’s power, though, which spells trouble if Wilder does keep on the move in the unique matchup.
Undercard Predictions 5 versus 5 Card
Willie Hutchinson Win 10 Craig Richards, Light Heavyweights
Dimitry Bivol TKO 10 Malik Zinad, WBA IBO World Light Heavyweight Championship
Filip Hrgovic TKO 9 Daniel Dubois, Heavyweights
Nick Ball Win 12 Raymond Ford, WBA World Featherweight Championship
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