Zhilei Zhang brutally KOs Deontay Wilder to leave American’s hopes of fighting Anthony Joshua in tatters
Deontay Wilder was dropped and stopped in a stunning KO win for Zhilei Zhang, which ended the American's dream of facing Anthony Joshua.
A crossroads battle between the pair unfolded in Saudi Arabia, with potential retirement lurking for the loser of the titanic heavyweight match-up.
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And it was Zhang who may have sensationally spelled an end to the champion's career catching him with a huge left hand and dropping him to the canvas in the fifth.
The former WBC champion had his head slammed into the canvas in a seriously brutal moment, which left him dazed and facing a seemingly impossible recovery battle.
Wilder desperately tried to clamber back to his feet, but failed to beat the count and was left on the receiving end of a devastating stoppage.
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It sensationally saw promoter Eddie Hearn left embarrassed in a complete whitewash from Frank Warren with the final tournament score at 10-0.
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A fight with Joshua now seems certainly off the cards, and retirement appears to be drawing in for the previously notorious power-puncher.
It's now four defeats out of five for the American.
Stakes couldn’t be higher for the heavy-handed titans in Riyadh, and both men were looking to make more positive starts than they did in their respective losses to Joseph Parker.
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It was a tentative start to proceedings, but it was clear as day to see Wilder winding up his trademark right hand which has sent so many flat on their back.
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Zhang looked to have hurt Wilder in the second as he was pushed in the corner, but he fired back when some dangerous shots hit their target.
The Chinese star continued to pile on the pressure, as the ‘Bronze Bomber’ seemed reluctant to let his hands go and unleash a barrage.
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Wilder tried to start to fire up the burners in the fourth and fifth in spells, but it was still a cautious approach from the traditional gunslinger.
But in a shocking turn of events, Zhang sent Wilder tumbling to the canvas and he failed to recover from the knockdown.
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It was a difficult end for the former heavyweight champion, who was sent flat on his back and beaten by the count.
He had suggested before the fight that the clash would be his last, and after a brutal KO of that nature, it seems to be his final bow.
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