Chinese heavyweight Zhang Zhilei to battle American Deontay Wilder, says ‘carelessness’ cost him Parker fight
- Wilder’s signing with Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing to take on Queensberry Promotions is a surprise as the pair have been at loggerheads for years
- Both fighters are going into the bout on the back of losses, with Zhang’s coming against Joseph Parker in March
Chinese heavyweight Zhang Zhilei has vowed to overcome the “carelessness” that cost him his fight against Joseph Parker, when he takes on Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia in June.
The pair will clash as part of the five-versus-five card between Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry Promotions in Riyadh, after Wilder sensationally signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom outfit.
Wilder’s decision came as a shock, given he and Hearn have been at each other’s throats for the better part of a decade.
Frank Warren, head of Queensberry Promotions, said that it was a big fight for both fighters, who are going into the bout on the back of losses, as their “careers are on the line”.
Zhang still has a rematch clause he can trigger, following his majority decision loss to Joseph Parker for the WBO interim heavyweight title in March.
Parker beat Wilder on points in December 2023 before he went on to take the interim title from Zhang.