In an irresistible battle of knockout artists, former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder squares off against the hulking Zhilei Zhang at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on June 1. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will be broadcast by DAZN.
WATCH: Wilder vs. Zhang, live on DAZN
Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs) is coming off a one-sided decision loss to former heavyweight titleholder Joseph Parker in December. The Alabama destroyer was heavily favoured to win that fight, but he didn't come close and was outboxed from bell to bell by the capable New Zealander.
Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KOs) can identify with Wilder's plight. While he was far more competitive against Parker in March, the Chinese star also succumbed to a decision defeat. "Big Bang" scored two knockdowns in the fight, but he was tactically outfoxed in the majority of the rounds.
The Sporting News provides odds and a prediction for what is a must-win fight for both heavyweights.
Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang betting odds
Per BetMGM, Zhang is the -160 favourite while Wilder is the +120 underdog. The draw is +2000.
Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang trends
Zhang is +100 with BetMGM to win by stoppage or DQ and is priced at +600 to win on points. Wilder is at a huge +1200 to win after going the distance, but his +150 odds to get the job done inside 12 rounds is more appealing given the likely nature of a fight between two big-hitters.
- Wilder via KO/TKO/Tech. Dec/ DQ: +150
- Wilder via decision: +1200
- Zhang via KO/TKO/Tech. Dec/DQ: +100
- Zhang via decision: +600
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Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang prediction, best bets
It's unusual for Wilder to be installed as the underdog unless he's standing across the ring from Tyson Fury. However, one win in four and a half years does not inspire confidence.
Sandwiched between two knockout losses to Fury and a wide points defeat to Parker was a one-punch first-round knockout win over Robert Helenius. You can file the latter in the "Who Cares?" section. Bottom line: Wilder hasn't posted a solid win since November 2019 when he knocked out Luis Ortiz in a rematch.
With all that said, Zhang might be the perfect opponent for "The Bronze Bomber" at this point. The Chinese colossus is 41 years old, he fights at a slow pace and he's very heavy-footed. Wilder's ability to position himself to punch is massively underrated, and Zhang, while he judges distance well, can't match him in this area.
The former champ needs to watch what's coming back at him because Zhang is a murderous hitter himself. I've just got a hunch that Wilder is going to land with something supersonic and end this fight in an instant.
Sporting News prediction: Wilder KO 4 (Per BetMGM +130)
Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang undercard picks
Filip Hrgovic vs. Daniel Dubois
- Hrgovic: -250, Draw: +2000, Dubois: +200
- Division/ Titles: Heavyweight non-title
Dubois is bigger and more powerful. Hrgovic is smarter and has more tools. The Croatian ends this one inside the distance.
Sporting News prediction: Hrgovic TKO 9 (Per BetMGM -225)
Dmitry Bivol (c.) vs. Malik Zinad
- Bivol: -2500, Draw: +2500, Zinad: +1000
- Division/ Titles: WBA light heavyweight
Both are 22-0, but Zinad is completely out of his depth here. Bivol can win any way he chooses. A TKO after the midway point makes sense.
Sporting News prediction: Bivol TKO 10 (Per BetMGM -2500)
Raymond Ford (c.) vs. Nick Ball
- Ford: -150, Draw: +1400, Ball: +138
- Division/ Titles: WBA featherweight
Ball was robbed of his chance to become world champion when the judges ripped him off following his fight with Rey Vargas in March. This one feels beyond him.
Sporting News prediction: Ford UD 12 (Per BetMGM -150)
Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Austin Williams
- Sheeraz: -225, Draw: +1800, Williams: +188
- Division: Middleweight/ Non-title
Williams is a class act, but he's only had one fight in 20 months. The edge goes to Sheeraz, who has better momentum right now.
Sporting News prediction: Sheeraz KO 6 (Per BetMGM -200)
Craig Richards vs. Willy Hutchinson
- Richards: -160, Draw: +1600, Hutchinson: +138
- Division/ Titles: Light heavyweight/ Non-title
Potentially entertaining all-British light heavyweight clash. Look for Richards to win a competitive fight on points.
Sporting News prediction: Richards UD 12 (Per BetMGM -150)