Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that Deontay Wilder was really upset about his fight against Zhilei Zhang being stopped in the fifth round. He felt the stoppage was premature and believed he should have been given a chance to continue.
Referee Kieran McCann halted the bout after Zhang dropped Wilder in Riyadh. Despite looking shaky upon getting back up, Wilder believed he could have recovered and potentially turned the fight around with his powerful right hand.
Hearn discussed Wilder's frustration, noting that he couldn't perform to his usual standards. Wilder struggled to pull the trigger with his punches, allowing Zhang to use him as target practice until the fight was stopped. This issue of hesitancy has plagued Wilder for the past four years, leading to his disappointing performance against Zhang.
“He hasn’t been able to perform. So, I would think he’s incredibly frustrated,” said Hearn to Fight Hub TV.
Zhilei Zhang Gives His Immediate Reaction To Brutal KO Win Over Deontay Wilder: Watch
Hearn also acknowledged Wilder's complaints about the stoppage, noting Wilder's past as a world champion with numerous defenses and exciting fights. However, he hinted that the era of Wilder's dominance might be over, emphasizing that it's now up to Wilder to decide his next steps. The promoter also expressed disappointment that the much-anticipated fight between Wilder and Anthony Joshua may never happen but accepted it as a boxing reality.
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From Hearn's comments, it seems unlikely that he will make an effort to sign Wilder to Matchroom Boxing after this loss, considering Wilder's current inability to perform at his best. As Wilder's career hangs in the balance, his future in the sport raises questions about whether he can continue to compete at the highest level or if it might be time to consider retirement.
Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing