Eddie Hearn has picked Zhilei Zhang's knockout of Deontay Wilder as the most impressive of 2024. The Matchroom promoter's choice came after a year packed with big hits and dramatic finishes.
Hearn's company put on shows all over the world in 2024. They co-promoted the light heavyweight undisputed contest and even signed Deontay Wilder for a short spell. But it wasn't one of his own fighters who delivered the standout moment.
Anthony Joshua had a great year. He destroyed former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in the second round. Then he stopped Daniel Dubois in the fifth, knocking him down twice before leaving him face down on the canvas.
The undisputed light heavyweight clash between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev went the full 12 rounds. Beterbiev won a close decision. Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez kept his knockout streak going, stopping all his opponents.
But Zhang's knockout of Wilder topped them all. It happened during a big 5 vs 5 showdown between Hearn's Matchroom and Frank Warren's Queensberry. Wilder was the team captain for Matchroom, while Zhang fought for Warren's side.
In the fifth round, Zhang caught Wilder with a left hook that sent him spinning. A second left hook put the former WBC champion down for good.
"Zhilei Zhang knocking out Deontay Wilder has to be the Knockout of the Year," Hearn told TNT Sports Boxing.
Wilder, known as a big hitter himself, suffered his second loss in a row. He had lost on points to Joseph Parker just months before. As of now, Wilder hasn't made any firm plans for a comeback fight in 2025.
You can watch Zhang's knockout of Wilder here.
