Zhilei Zhang knocks out Deontay Wilder: Round-by-round fight analysis

If that was it for Deontay Wilder, he went out with a bang – the powerful right hand of “Big Bang’’ Zhilei Zhang.

Zhang knocked out Wilder at 1:51 of the fifth round of their heavyweight bout in Saudi Arabia, sending the American boxer to his fourth defeat in his past five fights — in what might have been his last fight.

Before the fight, Wilder called the bout a make-or-break moment and entertained the possibility of retirement. He looked broken when he got hit by two Zhang rights in the fifth round that dropped him to the canvas.

The 6-foot-6 Zhang weighed in at 282 pounds, 68 pounds heavier than Wilder did at 214.

The proof was in the punch.

When Zhang landed the knockout punch, it was with massive force.

The 6-foot-7 Wilder did land a few powerful right hands earlier in the round. But Zhang absorbed them before finishing off Wilder. 

Wilder had grazed Zhang with a right hand and appeared to be complaining to the referee before he got hit with the knockout punch. Wilder did not participate in an in-ring interview after the fight. 

Wilder, 38, fell to 43-4-1. Zhang, the 41-year-old southpaw from China, improved to 27-2-1.

Zhilei Zhang knocks out Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang: Round 5

Wilder connects with a right. Follows with another. Here comes Wilder! Throwing thunder. Zhang fights back and they get tangled up. Wilder unleashes another, and he looks like a different fighter now. Well, DOWN he goes! Zhang floors Wilder with a HUGE right. Wilder does not make the count.

Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang: Round 4

Wilder scurries away from Zhang, almost falls to the canvas. These two might set a Compubox record for fewest punches per round. To do it, you won’t need all of your fingers and toes. Wilder throws a hard right, Zhang counters with a left. Zhang 40, Wilder 36.

Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang: Round 3

Zhang moves forward like a battle carrier. Lands a left and Wilder already looks to be in trouble, looking for a safe place. Wonder what happened to Wilder’s electric right hand? Did they lose it at baggage claim? Once again, Wilder in the corner. Zhang lands a couple of lefts. Zhang 30, Wilder 27. 

Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang: Round 2

Wilder lands a right, but looks scared. Zhang now unloading as he corners Wilder. Wilder trying to punch his way out. Zhang lets him free, but he’s backing him into the corner again. Wilder not looking confident at all. Wilder lands a right, but no follow-up as he drifts into the corner again and takes a hard right. Zhang 20, Wilder 18.

Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang: Round 1

Big Bang Zhang, wow, looking BIG all right. Especially as he backs Wilder into a corner. Wilder slides free. More than a minute in, waiting on the first real punch. Wilder throws a right, but nothing memorable. Boxers pawing at each other. With that 68-pound weight advantage, Zhang looks like the natural aggressor. Zhang 10, Wilder 9.

Daniel Dubois def. Filip Hrgovic by TKO

Dubois bloodied Hrgovic and won the heavyweight bout by TKO in the eighth round.

The punches were flying early, and many landed on Hrgovic’s face. The fight ended after the ringside physician inspected cuts over both of Hrgovic’s eyes with about a minute left in the eighth round and advised the referee to stop the right.

Dubois, a 26-year-old Brit, won the IBF interim world heavyweight title and improved to 21-2. Hrgovic, a 31-year-old Croatian, fell to 17-1. 

Daniel Dubois vs. Filip Hrgovic: Round 8

Dubois smothering Hrgovic. Referee is calling in the ringside doctor to look at Hrgovic’s cuts above both eyes. The fight has been stopped. Dubois by stoppage!

Daniel Dubois vs. Filip Hrgovic: Round 7

Dubois charges out behind that left jab. Hrgovic now bleeding over both eyes, and his bloody trunks are going to need serious Clorox. Dubois ramping up the pressure behind a series of combinations. Hrgovic’s tank looks close to empty as his bloody face is tagged again. Dubois 67, Hrgovic 66.

Daniel Dubois vs. Filip Hrgovic: Round 6

Fighters tiring, but not too tired to throw effective punches. With clear KO power. Dubois 57, Hrgovic 57.

Daniel Dubois vs. Filip Hrgovic: Round 5

DAZN reports the nasty cut over Hrgovic’s right eye was caused by a punch, not by a headbutt. And the punches keep coming. Hrgovic lands a big right, but he’s bleeding and this bout will not be won by fancy footwork or defense. Hrgovic bleeding badly and landing big. Dubois 48, Hrgovic 47.

Daniel Dubois vs. Filip Hrgovic: Round 4

Dubois out aggressive and now both fighters settle into the center of the ring. And it’s Hrgovic landing a couple of punches as blood drips down from his right eye. Plenty of action. Dubois 39, Hrgovic 37

Daniel Dubois vs. Filip Hrgovic: Round 3

Hrgovic emerges with a wound from Round 2. An accidental headbutt left him cut over the right eye. He’s still firing punches and absorbing them, too. Hrgovic’s punches now look telegraphed and it’s Dubois scoring. Dubois 29, Hrgovic 28.

Daniel Dubois vs. Filip Hrgovic: Round 2

Exchanging big punches early. Might not have to worry about the scorecards here. Hrgovic landing big shots. Dubois counters with two solid stabs that stun Hrgovic. Dubois fires that jab again and hurts Hrgovic. Hrgovic 19, Dubois 19.

Daniel Dubois vs. Filip Hrgovic: Round 1

Boxers swinging early. Hrgovic lands several stinging right crosses. Delivers an uppercut, too, while dominating this round. Dubois finally answers with a hard right. Hrgovic 10, Dubois 9.

Next fight on Deontay Wilder card

Daniel Dubois vs. Filip Hrgovic in a heavyweight bout.

Dmitry Bivol def. Malik Zinad by TKO

Bivol looked to be in no hurry before scoring a sixth-round TKO against Zinad and defending his IBO World Light Heavyweight title and WBA Super World Light Heavyweight title.

Best known for his victory over Canelo Alvarez in 2022, Bivol knocked down Zinad in the first round. But his performance looked more methodical than spectacular before he unleashed a flurry of punches that prompted the referee to stop the fight in the sixth round.

Bivol, the 33-year-old Russian, improved to 23-0. Zinad, a 30-year-old Libyan, fell to 22-1.

Dmitry Bivol vs. Malik Zinad: Round 6

Zinad firing that left jab almost the instant the round begins. But Bivol finds his range, and the barrage begins! And now the fight is over! Referee waves off the contest with Zinad helpless under a flurry of punches. It’s Bivol by TKO!

Dmitry Bivol vs. Malik Zinad: Round 5

Zinad delivers a big right to Bivol’s kisser. No lingering fear from that first-round knockdown that I can see. Bivol patiently moving forward and looking for openings. But it’s Zinad who’s landing punches. Bivol 48, Zinad 46.

Dmitry Bivol vs. Malik Zinad: Round 4

Zinad firing the jab repeatedly but without force. Bivol somewhere between patient and passive. Bivol lands a couple of body blows and Zinad’s bleeding from the nose again. But Zinad throwing more punches and then baits Bivol into a mini-headbutt as the round ends. Bivol 39, Zinad 36.

Dmitry Bivol vs. Malik Zinad: Round 3

Bivol comes out looking very controlled. No expectation of any brawl breaking out here before he finds an opening. And he finds them, scoring to the head and defending well. Bivol 30, Zinad 26.

Dmitry Bivol vs. Malik Zinad: Round 2

Zinad not shirking away, still firing jabs. But Bivol is finding his range with the left jab, too. He’s also drawn blood from Zinad’s nose. Bivol 20, Zinad 17.

Dmitry Bivol vs Malik Zinad: Round 1

Zinad comes out surprisingly aggressive. Anybody let this guy know he’s a 30-to-1 underdog? They’re mixing it up, and Zinad looks like he belongs. Well, not so fast because DOWN goes Zinad. Caught by a three-punch combo, but he’s up and fighting again. Bivol 10, Zinad 8. 

Next fight

Dmitry Bivol vs. Malik Zinad, for Bivol’s WBA light heavyweight title

Hamzah Sheeraz def. Austin Williams by TKO

Hamzah Sheeraz took control of the middleweight fight after competitive early rounds and stopped Austin Williams by TKO in the 11th.

Sheeraz knocked down Williams at the end of the 10th round and finished him off in the 11th round with a flurry on punches that prompted the referee to call the fight.

Sheeraz, a 25-year-old Brit, improved to 20-0 with his 14th consecutive knockout. Williams, a 28-year-old American, fell to 16-1.

Round-by-round analysis:

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Austin Williams, middleweight, round 10

Now it’s a slugfest, and then comes the finishing slug. Sheeraz rocks Williams with a flurry of punches and the referee waves off the fight! 

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Austin Williams, middleweight, round 9

Williams again comes out strong, charged up with energy and unleashing body blows. Williams now following what appeared to be the original game plan: muscle his way inside. And just like that, Sheeraz stuns Williams with a right. Sheeraz 87, Williams 84.

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Austin Williams, middleweight, round 8

Williams asserts himself early, throwing lefts and moving forward. Pins Sheeraz on the ropes, and Sheeraz rewards him with two uppercuts. Some brawling ensues, and now Williams is bleeding from the mouth as Sheeraz attacks. Sheeraz 78, Williams 74. 

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Austin Williams, middleweight, round 7

Williams comes out swinging to the body and the head, desperate to regain some momentum. But Sheeraz responds, landing an assortment of punches as Williams’ right eye swells. Sheeraz 68, Williams 65.

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Austin Williams, middleweight, round 6

Sheeraz in stride now, connecting frequently with that left. Williams’ right eye swelling fast. Sheeraz looks in control as he’s now landing lefts and rights. Sheeraz 58, Williams 56.

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Austin Williams, middleweight, round 5

Head-snapping exchanges on display. But Williams looking like the easier target. Stumbles to his right after taking a sharp jab to the head. Sheeraz 48, Williams 47.

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Austin Williams, middleweight, round 4

Now Williams closes the gap between the two fighters and lands some punishing blows. Without distance, Sheeraz is unable to exploit his reach advantage. The contrast in styles continues, with Sheeraz squeaking out the edge in that round. Williams 38, Sheeraz 38.

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Austin Williams, middleweight, round 3

Sheeraz snaps back Williams’ head with a right. Lands another and suddenly Williams looks shaken. Shareez capitalizing on his reach advantage and connects with a sweet left during an assault. Williams 29, Shareez 28.

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Austin Williams, middleweight, round 2

Williams delivers another big hand early in the round. Now he’s stalking, but there’s no wobble in Sheeraz’s legs. In fact, Sheeraz connects with a nice uppercut before eating another left punch. Williams 20, Sheeraz 18.

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Austin Williams, middleweight, round 1

Both fighters opening up, and it’s Williams who lands the biggest punch early and stays active. Sheeraz responds with a combo. Thin pickings for the judges. Williams 10, Sheerez 9. 

Nick Ball def. Raymond Ford by split decision

Ball, bloodied but relentless, won the WBA featherweight title with a split-decision victory over Ford in their 12-round fight.

It ended with a spectacular 12th round that featured electric exchanges.

The judges scored it 113-115, 115-113, 115-113 in Ball’s favor.

Ball, the 27-year-old Brit, improved to 20-0-1. Ford, the 25-year-old American, fell to 15-1-1.

Round by round:

Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball, featherweight, round 12

Ford comes out strong. But Ball unleashes a flurry of punches. Ford emerges intact and the fierce exchanges ensue. Leaving it all in the ring. Ford 115, Ball 113. 

Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball, featherweight, round 11

Ball still charging, but Ford landing cleaner punches. Blood flowing again from Ball’s nose, and yet it only seems to energize him. Ford 106, Ball 103.

Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball, featherweight, round 10

Less brawling and more boxing here. Ford doing damage with his left hand. Ford 96, Ball 94.

Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball, featherweight, round 9

Ball back to his best self – charging forward, firing punches and chewing up the distance Ford needs to be at his best. But it’s Ford with the strong finish. Ford 86, Ball 85.

Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball, featherweight, round 8

The bloody nose has not slowed Ball. But Ford countering, delivers a brutal left. Ball’s face, body and trunks are splattered with blood. Ball 76, Ford 76.

Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball, featherweight, round 7

More of the same, Ball on the attack and now landing body punches. Ford not cowering. But he can’t match Ball’s pace or power. Wow. Ford bloodies Ball’s nose on the move. Ball 67, Ford 66.

Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball, featherweight, round 6

Ford comes out more aggressively, but Ball will not be denied. Ford scoring, and Ball roughens things up before the ref intervenes and the punching quickly commences again. Ball 58, Ford 56.

Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball, featherweight, round 5

Ford’s five-inch height advantage over Ball seems to be shrinking as Ball continues his relentless attack.  And more of Ball’s punches are getting through now. Ford cut over both eyes. Ball 48, Ford 47.

Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball, featherweight, round 4

Ball fighting like a brawler and lands a solid left. Ford’s patience not paying off as he tries to fend off the relentless Ball. Ford 38, Ball 38.

Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball, featherweight, round 3

Ford not giving away control. He responds to Ball’s aggression with his own – capped by accurate punches. Ball unleashing punches, but not many landing flush. Ford defending, then landing. Ford 29, Ball 28.

Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball, featherweight, round 2

Ball muscles inside and scores with a variety of punches. More rock ‘em, sock ‘em boxing. But the 5-foot-2 Ball does the most sockin’ and rockin’ in that round. Ford 19, Ball 19.

Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball, featherweight, round 1

Ball charges out, swinging early. A composed Ford stands his ground. Plenty of speed inside this ring. Ball showing his signature pressure, but Ford landing more and cleaner punches. Ford 10, Ball 9.

Deontay Wilder on Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight

Based on recent comments, Deontay Wilder couldn’t have been disappointed to hear that the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul has been postponed.

"I don’t want the last thing I remember of him is him getting knocked out by a YouTuber,’’ Wilder told Sportsbook Review last month. “The last thing you do, that’s what people remember you by."

Wilder directed frustration at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which oversees combat sports in Texas and sanctioned the Tyson-Paul fight as a professional bout.

"I think it’s bad the commission has licensed Mike Tyson because he hasn’t been active in 20 years, so they should not just license him because of who he is, that’s how people get hurt – God forbid he gets hurt," Wilder said. "People can get hit in the wrong place and at the wrong time, there’s lots of examples where guys have been hit into a coma. It’s easy to do. He’s too old for this.

Next fight

Raymond Ford vs. Nick Ball, for Ford’s WBA featherweight title

Willy Hutchinson def. Craig Richards by unanimous decision

Willy Hutchinson dominated Craig Richards with deft footwork, flair and a barrage of stinging punches in their 12-round light heavyweight fight.

The judges scored it 116-112, 117-111, 119-109.

Hutchinson, a 25-year-old Scotsman, improved his record to 18-1. Richards, a 34-year-old Brit, fell to 18-4-1.

Round-by-round analysis:

Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards, light heavyweight, round 12

Hutchinson stays aggressive even though he clearly leads on the scorecards. More clever footwork and head movement, opening up angles to throw, and land, his punches. Richards looks flatfooted. Hutchinson 117, Richards 111.

Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards, light heavyweight, round 11

Fierce exchange a minute into the round. Hutchinson looks fatigued, and Richards could use recharged batteries, too. But the punches continue to fly. Hutchinson 107, Richards 102.

Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards, light heavyweight, round 10

Richards lands two powerful punches, and Hutchinson answers. It’s now rock ‘em, sock ‘em! Hutchinson, bleeding from the nose, pummels Richards. But Richards cracks back before the bell rings. Hutchinson 98, Richards 92.

Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards, light heavyweight, round 9

Hutchinson lands a leaping right – and keeps the punches coming. Hutchinson active, theatrical and dangerous. Richards looks flustered, but finishes the round strong. Hutchinson 88, Richards 83. 

Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards, light heavyweight, round 8

Richards attacks early and back comes Hutchinson. Voltage in the ring spikes. Hutchinson cleverly picking his spots but tiring. Hutchinson 78, Richards 74.

Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards, light heavyweight, round 7

Richards scoring with his jab early. Hutchinson fires back, and it leads to a nice exchange in a fight that suddenly looks competitive. Richards coming alive. Hutchinson 68, Richards 65.

Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards, light heavyweight, round 6

Hutchinson comes out swingiRound 7:  Richards scoring with his jab early. Hutchinson fires back, and it leads a nice exchange in a fight that suddenly looks competitive. Richards coming alive. Hutchinson 68, Richards 65.ng again. Richards now the aggressor, and Hutchinson counterpunches effectively. But Richards landing effective punches, too, in what’s his best round so far. Hutchinson 59, Richards 55.

Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards, light heavyweight, round 5

Crisp punches, nimble footwork, flair -- Hutchinson showing it all. Now repeatedly tagging Richards, who backpedals as Hutchinson gives chase. Hutchinson 50, Richards 45.

Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards, light heavyweight, round 4

Richards comes out showing a little more energy and assertiveness. In return, Hutchinson moves head with some theatrics. Showmanship? He delivers a flurry of big punches. Hutchinson 40, Richards 36. 

Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards, light heavyweight, round 3

Hutchinson connects with an early combination and reasserts his role as aggressor. Richards is increasing his activity, but Hutchinson still in control. Hutchinson 30, Richards 27.

Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards, light heavyweight, round 2

Hutchinson switches stances – southpaw to orthodox -- then delivers a notable right. He catches Richards with a strong right cross while establishing control. Hutchinson 20, Richards 18.

Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards, light heavyweight, round 1

Hutchinson the aggressor. No serious damage inflicted, but Hutchinson still on the attack. Shows a willingness to throw combos while Richards looks more conservative. Hutchinson 10, Richards 9.

Deontay Wilder fight predictions 

George Flood, The Evening Standard: It is a bout between two massive punchers set up for fireworks, with both men carrying serious power capable of knocking out any heavyweight on the planet and changing any given fight in an instant. Prediction: Wilder by KO. 

Lee Groves, The Ring: If Zhang lands his lethal left cross on Wilder’s chin, especially early, there will be no opportunity for Wilder to exploit Zhang’s biggest weakness, stamina. Prediction: Zhang by KO, Round 7. 

Tom Gray, The Sporting News: The former champ needs to watch what's coming back at him because Zhang is a murderous hitter himself. Prediction: Wilder KO, Round 4. 

John Hansen, SBNation: I just don’t see Wilder magically finding his spark again against a bigger, stronger opponent than the one who froze his hands. Prediction: Zhang, unanimous decision. 

What time is Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang fight?

• The undercard starts at 2 p.m. The time for the main event has not been confirmed.

How to watch Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang fight

DAZN. The pay-per-view fee is $69.99 plus a subscription.

Who did Deontay Wilder lose to? 

He lost twice to Tyson Fury and once to Joseph Parker. 

Deontay Wilder net worth 

Forbes estimated his net worth was $46.5 million in 2020. 

Deontay Wilder record 

43-3-1 with 42 knockouts 

Zhilei Zhang record 

26-2-1 with 21 knockouts 

How much do Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang weigh?

Weigh-in results had Wilder at 214.6 pounds and Zhang at 282.8 pounds. That puts Zhang at 68.2 pounds heavier.

Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang undercard

• Daniel Dubois vs. Filip Hrgovic, heavyweight
• Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Austin Williams, middleweight
• Dmitry Bivol vs. Malik Zinad, for Bivol’s WBA light heavyweight title
• Raymond Ford vs. Nick Ball, for Ford’s WBA featherweight title
• Willy Hutchinson vs. Craig Richards, light heavyweight