Will Deontay Wilder’s Career End if He Loses to Zhilei Zhang? Eddie Hearn Answers the Burning Question

Deontay Wilder, the once-feared ‘Bronze Bomber,’ hasn’t exactly been lighting up the ring lately. Remember that dud of a fight against Joseph Parker in December? Yawn. But hey, everyone gets knocked down sometimes, right?

Well, Wilder’s got a chance to get back up on June 1st in Saudi Arabia. That’s when he steps into the ring against Zhilei Zhang. This isn’t just any fight though – it could be a make-or-break moment for Wilder’s career. Will he recapture his glory days or will this fight be his swan song?

Will Deontay Wilder settle for less after a defeat?

In the heart of the discussion surrounding Deontay Wilder’s upcoming fight, Eddie Hearn’s comments to Boxing Social have ignited a flurry of interest and concern. The veteran promoter didn’t mince words when asked about the high stakes Wilder faces against Zhilei Zhang. Since Eddie Hearn will be acting as Deontay Wilder’s promoter for the June 1, 5 vs. 5 – Matchroom vs. Queensberry event, he is the one who knows things for sure. Hearn laid out the stark realities that could determine the future trajectory of Wilder’s career in boxing.

“Do you think for Wilder and Zhang, it spells the end for one of them to take a defeat at this level?” the interviewer queried, pinpointing the crux of the anxieties surrounding this fight.

“Yeah I mean Wilder more so than Zhang,” Hearn responded, immediately setting the tone of the conversation. “Because Zhang can box at many different levels, right. Zhang could box for half a million or a million bucks. Wilder ain’t going to box for a million bucks; he’s got a load of money. He wants big fights only and if he can’t be at that table he probably won’t want to be in boxing. So for Deontay, this is a career-defining night.”

Moreover, this match is not just about the paycheck. It’s about Wilder proving to himself and to the boxing world that he still commands respect as a top-tier heavyweight. After his loss to Joseph Parker, where he seemed unable to deploy his trademark power, questions about his capacity to perform at the highest level have only grown. Deontay Wilder himself hinted at his retirement in the press conference held for the event in London.

Last dance in Riyadh?

Deontay Wilder is approaching what could be the final showdown of his illustrious career. Set against Zhilei Zhang on June 1 in Saudi Arabia, Wilder has framed the bout as his “last dance.” This declaration came during a news conference where he stated, “Come the night of the fight we see if I got it or not. I’m holding it as my last dance, my last chance,” capturing the do-or-die essence of the upcoming match.

This fight is part of a larger event featuring a series of high-stakes matches, but for Wilder, it’s more than just another fight—it’s a chance to either reclaim his former glory or gracefully exit the stage he has dominated for years.

Will the Bronze Bomber’s “last dance” restore his status among boxing’s elite, or will it mark the end of an era? How do you think this fight will shape the legacy of Deontay Wilder?