Deontay Wilder admits he may call time on his boxing career after being knocked out by Zhilei Zhang.
The pair were facing off in the Queensberry vs Matchroom 5v5 spectacle in Saudi Arabia and hosted the main event that lasted only five rounds.
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The Bronze Bomber is known worldwide for his epic clash in the ring with Tyson Fury but since then he has been struggling to live up to the hype.
Wilder, 38, had the chance to make a statement win against 41-year-old Zhang and was so confident that he said he will have to consider retiring if he did lose.
That is exactly what happened. The American looked frightened of Zhang and was reluctant to come forward in the match, leaving his opponent with room to dominate and dictate most of the event.
In the fifth round, the Chinese powerhouse caught Wilder with a right hand, causing him to turn his back.
That was one big bang 👊
Brutal knockout from Zhilei Zhang on Deontay Wilder 💀 PIC.TWITTER.COM/TBMG6LPUVF
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) JUNE 2, 2024
When he went to face his opponent again, Zhang landed another heavy blow, knocking Wilder to the ground.
He had to use the rope to help himself up but as he staggered forward, the referee called the match off, handing Zhang the victory.
The winner was delighted, celebrating in the ring and then speaking to the press afterwards.
He was full of respect for Wilder, saying:” I would like to thank every friend who came here over the world and fans in China, it is midnight there and you are watching me.
“I lost to [Joseph] Parker, it was a fair loss.
“He was the better man that night. I’ve learned since then. As long as the bell doesn’t ring, stay focused.
BACK WITH A BIG BANG 💥
ZHILEI ZHANG KNOCKS OUT DEONTAY WILDER 👊 PIC.TWITTER.COM/AVGMT2QZXJ
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) JUNE 2, 2024
“I have to pretend Wilder didn’t have a right hand and I successfully took it away.
“Wilder punches hard, I give him a lot of respect.”
For Wilder, it may be the last time we see him in a ring.
He had been tipped to fight Anthony Joshua later in the year, but the loss now means it is unlikely to happen.
Instead, Daniel Dubois may get the chance to face the heavyweight after he beat Filip Hrgovic with an eighth-round stoppage.
