Zhilei Zhang has confirmed that Deontay Wilder's knockout power is still a force to be reckoned with. Zhang, the last boxer to face Wilder in the ring, shared his thoughts on 'The Bronze Bomber's' legendary punching ability ahead of Wilder's comeback fight on June 27, 2024.
Zhang beat Wilder a year ago, finishing him with a TKO in the fifth round. The Chinese heavyweight left Wilder sprawled on the canvas in a fight that many thought might end the American's career.
Since then, Wilder has struggled to find his form. He lost on points to Joseph Parker in December 2023, which came after a first-round win over Robert Helenius and two knockout losses to Tyson Fury to wrap up their trilogy.
Now, Wilder is set for a must-win fight against Tyrrell Herndon on June 27. He needs a victory to get back into the mix at the top of the heavyweight division.
In a recent chat with Seconds Out, Zhang didn't hold back about Wilder's power.
"He's very powerful. His power lives up to the hype. I was able to take away his power in my own way so he couldn't land that much, but in the fifth round he did land a punch and I definitely felt it, but I ate it and moved forward."
Zhang's words carry weight, given he's the last man to share a ring with Wilder. But 'Big Bang' has had his own setbacks since that win. In February 2024, Agit Kabayel stopped Zhang inside six rounds, raising questions about his future in the heavyweight ranks.
If Wilder can get past Herndon, there's talk of potential fights with Dillian Whyte or Anthony Joshua. But first, he'll need to prove he's still got what it takes when he steps back into the ring on June 27.
