Philippines, 08 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Wilder vs. Zhang: Winner Moves On, Loser Goes Home


PhilBoxing.com





This Saturday’s DAZN PPV main event between Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang is truly a winner moves on, loser goes home scenario. Both fighters are clearly on a downslide in their respected careers. Both fighters recently took a loss to Joseph Parker. Zhang did show more spunk scoring two knockdowns. This pair of boxers will have us on the edge of our seats wondering when the night ending punch will land. That said the styles may also produce a very slow fight while we wait for the spark.

Wilder in his last outing back in December admitted he couldn’t pull the trigger when the openings were presented. The question remains will he ever be able to pull the trigger on the contender level. Now of course we must add context to what occurred in the ring. No doubt about it Wilder did not have his timing and looked sluggish missing badly with his punches. The ‘Bronze Bomber’ had fought less than one round in a span of more than two years. Another troubling item is Wilder saying he will retire if he lost which gives off one foot in, one foot out vibes.

Regardless boxing has a way of exposing the truth inside the ropes so if too much rust was the main reason we should get a sharper Wilder. One thing that is undeniable, Deontay took a lot of punishment in those Tyson Fury fights. His punch resistance like Fury’s seems to be in decline. They say the last thing to go is a boxer’s power and there are plenty of examples throughout the history of the sport. Wilder didn’t take a ton of damage versus Parker and reportedly went in to the gym working on getting his timing back.

Last year Zhilei Zhang stopped Joe Joyce not once but twice and was on top of the world. Many saw him as a darkhorse to make even more noise in the division. Zhang refused to do enough follow up attack when he had Joseph Parker on the canvas in rounds 3 and 8. Probably because he didn’t want to gas out and figured he would just catch Parker with more damaging shots. As we know Zhang is very dangerous in the first part of the bout but as the rounds go on he becomes less and less of a threat to knock out his opponent.

This fight will come down to who is the more washed combatant. If Wilder can stay upright for 6 or 7 rounds his chances vastly improve to win this fight. Of course with the power Wilder posses in his right hand he could end the fight at anytime. So if it’s true that the long time out of the ring was the main reason for the poor performance against Parker this boxing podcaster would favor Wilder by KO. The reality is Deontay can have that power but he needs to be able to deliver it accurately.

From a technical aspect Zhang has the advantage. Because Zhang at least show way more life versus Parker it’s difficult not to side with him to defeat Wilder on Saturday. As far as a betting angle there is plus numbers available whether were talking stoppages or going the distance. If this fight happened with both men in their prime this boxing junkie would pick Wilder. +1000 for Wilder by decision is still worth a flyer. Hopefully we get an entertaining scrap filled with ebbs and flows.

My Official Prediction is Zhilei Zhang by Decision. (Possible late TKO)

Side Note: Can’t wait for Raymond Ford vs. Nick Bell will come down to how Ford’s body handles the weight. Hrgovic vs. Dubois, Sheeraz vs. Williams, and Hutchinson vs. Richards along with Dmitry Bivol vs. Malik Zinad fill out the rest of the PPV card. My Picks: Ford MD, Hrgovic UD, Sheeraz KO, and Hutchinson UD.

Written by Chris Carlson Host/Producer of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Available at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Monster Dynamite: Inoue Crushes Cardenas in Eight
    , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • "THE MONSTER" SURVIVES EARLY SCARE, DESTROYS CARDENAS IN THRILLING WAR TO RETAIN UNDISPUTED CROWN
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • Dana White to Promote Canelo vs. Crawford: UFC Boss Set to Elevate Superfight to Historic Levels
    By T. Chin-Te, , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • Bata Reyes impressed with upcoming young players during exhibition in Libis
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • Canelo Wins the 'Xicoténcatl' Belt and is Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion Once Again
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Florentino Inumerable rules 2025 Illinois Senior State Chess Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Canelo Grinds Out Uninspiring Win Over Elusive William Scull in Saudi Arabia; Canelo-Crawford Up Next
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Badou Jack Edges Norair Mikaelian in Grueling Cruiserweight Battle on Canelo-Scull Undercard
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Jaime Munguía Avenges Loss, Dominates Bruno Suráce in Riyadh Rematch
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas/Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez World Championship Doubleheader
    , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Rolly Romero Upsets Ryan Garcia, Throws Garcia-Haney Rematch into Chaos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • Haney's Cautious Approach Leads to Wide Decision Win Over Ramirez in Times Square
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • Teo Lopez Retains Titles with Unanimous Decision Over Barboza Jr. in Times Square
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 03 May 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.