Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang LIVE: UK start time, undercard and how to follow as Bronze Bomber returns in Saudi Arabia
Deontay Wilder will start his road to redemption when he faces Zhilei Zhang in the main event to a blockbuster card in Saudi Arabia this evening.
Wilder and Zhang will clash as part of the Queensberry vs Matchroom 5v5 event, which also features Daniel Dubois.
The Bronze Bomber is looking to return to winning ways following a shock defeat to Joseph Parker in December.
Wilder's points defeat to the New Zealander wrecked plans for a long-awaited fight with Anthony Joshua.
Zhang, who boasts 21 KO wins from his 26 victories, also lost on points against Parker when they faced off in March.
Incredibly, Zhang is coming into this contest at 282.8lbs, while Wilder is down at 214.6lbs.
Read more on Deontay Wilder
Wilder vs Zhang: Time and how to follow
This 12-round heavyweight bout will take place on Saturday, June 1 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
talkSPORT will have live updates throughout fight week, while marvelbet369.com will provide the best of the reaction as well.
Wilder vs Zhang: Undercard
Subject to change
- MAIN EVENT: Zhilei Zhang vs Deontay Wilder
- Daniel Dubois vs Filip Hrgovic - for IBF interim heavyweight title
- Hamzah Sheeraz vs Austin Williams
- Dimitry Bivol vs Malik Zinad - for WBA and IBO light heavyweight titles
- Raymond Ford vs Nick Ball - for WBA featherweight title
- Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards
Bivol vs Zinad is separate to 5v5 tournament
Wilder vs Zhang: What has been said?
Wilder is back to his destructive best, according to his sparring partner, Agron Smakici.
"People are going down, I can tell you that. People are getting hurt," he told marvelbet369.com about Wilder's sparring sessions.
"He is aggressive, he is punching hard, that killer is definitely there... When he punches you it is a different type of power."
Smakici, who has trained with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua added the Bronze Bomber's power hits different.
"It is like a flash. I have done sparring with all of the best heavyweights but this is a different kind of danger.
"You have to be really careful in the sparring, his right hand is so dangerous.
"The first time I got in there with him I didn't anticipate how hard he hits. I got caught with two right hands.
"Thank goodness, my hand was up but I'm telling you, you can see nothing but black for a few seconds. I came back but It's crazy power, like nothing I have ever experienced before."
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