Deontay Wilder KO’d by Zhilei Zhang in Fifth Round:
Deontay Wilder was given a brutal loss on Saturday night by Zhilei Zhang and it has raised numerous questions about the future of ‘The Bronze Bomber’. As for the fight, the big puncher who has not been able to demonstrate his usual viciousness, looked sluggish and hesitant throughout the bout. The fight concluded in the fifth round when Zhang threw two hooks; the first was to the head a second to the body, and Wilder fell to the ground instantly.
Earlier prior to the fight, the Saudi boxing chief, Turki Alalshikh had suggested that Joshua would next fight Wilder in the September month only if the latter emerges a winner. But the victory has now changed the views of the opponent who can possibly challenge Anthony Joshua, alongside with Daniel Dubois, ‘Big Bang’.
A Look at Wilder’s Defeat and Its Impact
Fan reactions after Deontay Wilder knockout were thus immediate and quite diverse. They relayed their shock and disappointment in the form of tweets on X (previously known as Twitter).
An X user said, “Honestly, Wilder is never a good boxer, he is just an average fighter,” a sentiment which was also shared by some critics who argue hat the fighter has always been technically deficient despite possessing raw power.
Zhilei Zhang FINISHED Deontay Wilder in SPECTACULAR FASHION!! 💥 🇨🇳 😤 pic.twitter.com/UoHSnNUXiO
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) June 2, 2024
A more critical viewer noted, “But now he is no longer that Wilder, the fire and the agility are gone… I just feel that he should take long vacation.”
Another user, obviously amused by the victory, wrote: “Wilder flattened in seconds 😂,” alluding to the fact the fight was over much quicker than anyone could have expected.
Joshua’s Perspective
Though, the fight was very dramatic, Anthony Joshua did not shut the door for Deontay Wilder’s future confrontations and remained very composed about that. When asked by DAZN if he was disappointed at the loss of Wilder, Joshua simply said ‘Nah it is what it is. ” He also pointed at the fact that there is life outside boxing and boxing is a very rough sport and then he encouraged Wilder by saying Come again if you want, but he’s got his family.
While the boxing community continues to contemplate the meaning of this fight, possible further fights and the further future of both fighters Wilder and Joshua are still worth considering.
