Deontay Wilder is only accepting a big fight against Zhilei Zhang, according to a former sparring partner of Anthony Joshua, because he is “cashing out” as his boxing career draws to an end.
On December 23, during the historic “Day of Reckoning” event in Saudi Arabia, Wilder was defeated by a resurgent Joseph Parker via a 12-round points loss.
Parker moved fluidly, stayed safe on the outside, scored his shots, and continued to move to hold the formidable puncher at bay for the duration of the fight.
Then, in March, while both of them were in Saudi Arabia for Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou’s undercard, he performed similarly against Zhang.
Zhang was able to score two knockdowns throughout the fight because, unlike Wilder, he wasn’t negative and didn’t want to participate.
When Zhang and Wilder square off on June 1 as part of the Matchroom vs. Queensbury 5 on 5 event in Saudi Arabia, they both hope to bounce back from setbacks and reclaim the world crown.
But according to British heavyweight Matty Harris, who spoke with Boxing Social, Wilder is just using this fight as a means of making a quick cash grab and is aware that his time is running out.
When asked who he thought would win, he responded quickly, saying, “Zhang; only because I feel like Wilder’s just trying to cash out.” He claimed that he would never, ever sign with Eddie Hearn, but he has. I just believe he’s attempting to make a little bucks and then run off.”
Craig Richards against Willy Hutchinson, Ammo Williams against Hamzah Sheeraz, Daniel Dubois against Fillip Hrgovic, and an undefeated unified champion bout between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol round out the main event schedule.
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