Knocking opponents with ease, Deontay Wilder was once the most feared heavyweight on the planet. But those visuals are now a thing of the past and now the American boxer finds his career in turmoil. He faces the uphill battle to revive his career and give it a new leash when he steps into the squared circle on June 1 against Zhilei Zhang. Can he do it and lead the Matchroom to a victory against Queensberry? Will the former WBC champion justify the faith that Eddie Hearn has put in him?

Wilder, at 43-3-1, is coming into the fight on the heels of a disappointing performance against Joseph Parker last December. His performance evoked scathing criticism, as he appeared as a pale shadow of his former self. That loss not only derailed a high-voltage fight with Anthony Joshua but also put his career in jeopardy. But the Alabama native is more determined than ever, as even he is aware that one loss will mean a death knell for his career.

Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang: last opportunity to stay in the title frame

In the lead-up to the fight against ‘Big Bang,’ Wilder, 39, admitted that he would hang up his gloves if he dropped the second consecutive fight. Wilder was well positioned to challenge for undisputed glory, taking the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury by their horns. The only contractual stipulation was to defeat Parker and then edge out ‘AJ’ in an eliminator to be the #1 challenger in the division.

But that never happened. The 2008 Olympics medalist failed to rise to the occasion and became a target for pundits and fans alike. If he fails against the Chinese boxer again, it would deal a deadly blow to his title aspirations. Currently, Usyk holds all the marbles but there are rumors of the IBF stripping him and crowning the Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois winner next. That’s the only strap that will be available till next year, as Usyk and Fury have a rematch scheduled in December. A win could insert him into the title picture if he puts on a sensational performance against a static and vulnerable fighter such as Zhang.

Even if Wilder doesn’t end up fighting for the title immediately, it can set up a big fight. A knockout win will turn around his career with a potential Joshua fight at Wembley in September. The fans and promoters would prefer the British fighter fight Wilder instead of taking on the Hrgovic-Dubois winner.

The overcrowded heavyweight division: the need to tame Anthony Joshua

Where does Wilder find himself in the pack of top heavyweights? It’s below Usyk, Fury, Joshua, and even Parker now. With a new crop of heavyweights such as Hrgovic and Dubois ready to take over, he is on fine margins. The loss will put him in a lower rug of heavyweights, from where the climb to the top will be steep and almost impossible. Meanwhile, a win against Zhang will ensure he can brush aside the Parker loss as a fluke, start afresh, and endeavor to take down Joshua.

Wilder vs. Zhang is gradually becoming a precursor to a Wembley showdown with the 35-year-old Briton. With Hearn in the mix, a fight between the two is well on the cards. Moreover, the Wembley card is touted to be the biggest stage Wilder can fight this year, with the likes of Naoya Inoue sharing the same card. You can predict high PPV numbers and hefty payouts for the fighters on the bill, and Wilder would be no different, with chances of healing the event.

Either that fight could act as Wilder’s retirement fight or the platform to jump the queue and become the first in line to challenge the eventual victor of Usyk vs. Fury. But it’s his last hurrah and wouldn’t have any opportunity of this magnitude if he slipped up against Zhang.

Does a loss effectively curtail ‘The Bronze Bomber’s career?

Yes. That’s how we can sum it up. At 39, the opportunities are few, your body fails to hold together to endure hard punches, and you have reduced activity. The boxing world wouldn’t be surprised if Wilder called it quits after he dropped the fight against Zhang. However, the heavyweight boxer is training hard with his trainer, Malik Scott, to present a new version of himself.

But time is running out for him. Wilder’s chin and confidence have deteriorated, and a loss leaves him stranded with no chances of upward mobility in the ranks. Usyk and Fury will keep the top occupied and for what Wilder has represented over the years and his legacy, he wouldn’t be fighting the middle-tier boxers in the division. Therefore, this is the last dance for Wilder, to remind his fans and doubters alike that he still packs that power behind his punches which floored 42 opponents in the ring.

What do you make of this coming fight between Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang? Do you think he has enough left in his tank for a couple more years? Let us know in the comments below.