Zhilei Zhang will face Deontay Wilder in a heavyweight boxing match on June 1, 2024, in Saudi Arabia. Both fighters are coming off losses against Joseph Parker and view this upcoming contest as a pivotal moment to resurrect their careers.
Zhang recently reflected on his unexpected loss to Joseph Parker in March, where despite dominating the early rounds, he failed to sustain his lead and ultimately lost by decision. He attributed his defeat partially to underestimating Parker and failing to adapt when Parker changed strategies. Key moments from that fight included Zhang knocking down Parker twice, once in the third round and later in the eighth,which were crucial yet insufficient for a victory.
“I made a big mistake underestimating Parker... I had to admit it happened. At the same time, I learned a lot from that fight, we came back, we analyzed every little detail, and we corrected our mistakes. I believe the next fight, it’s gonna be a new me. We did make a few adjustments; we have nutritionist Chris Algieri, who’s helping us remotely … as you can see my face is trimming down already. I feel a lot better, but the power is still there.”
In preparation for the fight against Wilder, Zhang has analyzed and corrected mistakes made during his bout with Parker. To get into optimal shape, he has enlisted Chris Algieri as a nutritionist.
Zhang holds a confident outlook for his next challenge against Wilder. He promises it will be an intense showdown of strength, remarking confidently on social media that "'The Big Bang' will bomb 'The Bomber.'" His prediction? The fight won't last the full distance but will display raw power from both sides.
