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Wilder Could Retire If He Loses To Zhang

hasib

30 May 2024

Deontay Wilder could retire from the sport if he loses against Zhilei Zhang.

Wilder takes on Zhang in the biggest fight of his career, knowing he cannot afford to lose. His defeat to Joseph Parker last time around raised serious questions about whether he could cut it at the top level any longer. He was outboxed for most of the fight, only winning one round on the scorecards. His style was also criticized, as he chose to box on the outside.

This was a departure from using his jab, which then sets up the right hand. Wilder came up with various reasons to explain his poor performance. He suggested that his travel arrangements were not ideal, which may have contributed towards jetlag.

There were also suggestions that Wilder’s ayahuasca usage may have removed his killer instinct. The Parker loss ultimately ended hopes of an Anthony Joshua fight. They had agreed a two-fight deal. However, Wilder’s loss prevented that, as AJ faced Francis Ngannou instead. Wilder knows he cannot afford to come up short.

Wilder Reacts

"I’ve had a successful career and this is a do or die moment for me," Wilder told Seconds Out. "I don’t think the heavyweight division is exciting without Deontay Wilder in it but come Saturday night we will see. Will I prevail? Will I succeed? Who knows? But Saturday night is the true answer and we are going to see. This could be the end of the career, this could be the final farewell of Deontay Wilder if I lose. If I win, of course, I go on to bigger and better things," Wilder said

Zhang also faces a similar predicament. The 41-year-old also lost to Parker in his fight. However, his performance was far more impressive. He sent Parker to the canvas on two occasions. But as so often, Zhang has shown that he slows down considerably in the latter stages of fights. The Chinese also know a win sets up the Parker rematch.

Zhang Responds

Parker is the current WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion, making him mandatory for Oleksandr Usyk, the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. Zhang ultimately lost that belt to Parker. He knows that he will not have too many fights left to get a world title at this stage of his career. The Chinese has also been linked with Tyson Fury, another fight which could get made following Fury’s recent comments that he could have ten more fights. But Zhang’s first focus is on sending Wilder into retirement.

"I will be his last dance partner. I don’t know if he will see the end of the dance, but I will make sure he enjoys it. Me and Deontay are both big punchers. When Chinese power vs. Alabama power, we’re going to bang the heck out of each other. Don’t blink, everything happens in one punch. I don’t think I lost my last fight, but three months, here I am again. Wilder is here to knock me out. I want to do the same thing to him. I’ll see him in the ring. I represent Queensberry now. Matchroom is history and I’m here to beat them," Zhang stated