Chinese boxing star Zhang Zhilei will step into the ring with American boxer Deontay Wilder in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on June 1. The two heavyweights will clash as part of a five-on-five event, pitting five boxers representing the Queensberry stable against five from rival promoters Matchroom.
Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker exchange punches during the WBO Interim World Heavyweight title fight on the Knockout Chaos boxing card at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 8, 2024. /CFP
The Chinese fighter lost by decision to Joseph Parker as part of the undercard to Anthony Joshua's showdown with Francis Ngannou back in March, which was only the second defeat of his career.
Talking about Wilder, his next opponent, the 41-year-old said he is determined not to lose focus and believes "the fight is going to be fireworks."
"He still has the powerful right hand that could land and that could finish everything. But I am dangerous too, and I punch really hard. It's going to be exciting," Zhang said.
(Cover: Zhang Zhilei (L) of China faces off with Deontay Wilder of the United States during the 5v5 press conference ahead of their fight in London, England, April 15, 2024. /CFP)