Get ready for the electrifying showdown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as Matchroom and Queensberry go head-to-head in a thrilling 5 vs. 5 matchup slated for June 1st. The star-studded lineup promises an adrenaline-fueled spectacle, with all eyes eagerly fixed on the main event clash between heavyweight titans Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. While championship belts may not be up for grabs, the stakes couldn’t be higher as pride and Wilder’s quest for redemption loom large on the horizon, setting the stage for an epic battle that will reverberate through the world of boxing.

Picture this: On one side of the ring stands ‘The Bronze Bomber,’ still reeling from the sting of a surprising defeat dealt by Joseph Parker just last December. On the opposing corner, the formidable Chinese heavyweight stands, also grappling with the bitter loss to the same adversary as his current opponent. It sets the stage for an epic showdown, a battle that promises to reveal the true power-punching titan of the heavyweight division between them. As the anticipation mounts, the burning question lingers: Who will seize victory when the bell tolls on fight night? Let’s crunch the numbers and dissect their recent fights. Based on this cold, hard data and what they showed in the ring, we can chart a clear prediction for this upcoming bout.

Who do the attributes favor?

The 38-year-old Wilder (43-3-1), acting as a captain for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, is the younger man between the two, with Zhang (26-2-1), who is three years older at 41. While age plays a crucial role in a boxer’s career, Zhang and Wilder aren’t that far apart. However, the Tuscaloosa resident has shown signs of slowing down and even almost announced his retirement from the sport after the loss against Parker. He eventually took back his statement, but one has to think there might not be enough gas left in the tank for the Bronze Bomber.

Conversely, Zhang, representing Frank Warren’s Quesberry, might have lost his last fight, but there were no signs of slowing down in terms of performance. Not to mention, Zhang managed to knock down Parker multiple times but gassed out in the later rounds. If Zhang can manage to push Wilder to the limits in the early rounds, he could walk away with the win. But is that the entire? Definitely not.

Wilder boasts a significant height and reach advantage over Zhang. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm) tall with an 83-inch (211 cm) reach, Wilder towers over his opponent. In contrast, Zhang stands at 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm) with a reach of 80 inches (203 cm). Despite this advantage, it’s unlikely that reach and height would be able to tip the balance in Wilder’s favor.

And the same goes for weight—Zhang weighed in at 291½ pounds for his last fight, while Wilder weighed in at 213 in his last fight. While this weight is subject to change during their final weigh-ins, Zhang will likely have the advantage here. So, if Zhang could do what Tyson Fury did by pushing his weight on Wilder and tire him out early, Zhang has a good chance of dominating Wilder. That still only tells half the story.

Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang: Who’s got the better resume?

Wilder’s boxing career has seen him face formidable opponents such as Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker, and Luis Ortiz, most of whom have handed him defeats. Critics often point to Wilder’s selective opponent choices, suggesting that his success is primarily attributed to his devastating one-punch knockout power rather than his overall skills. While he has ascended to the top of the ranks, questions linger about whether his raw talent truly matches his standing in the sport. His high-profile loss to Tyson Fury underscores this debate, suggesting that when pitted against elite opponents, Wilder’s vulnerabilities become apparent.

Zhang’s journey to the top echelons of boxing hasn’t been as illustrious as his opponents until his recent back-to-back victories over Joe Joyce, both secured via knockouts. While these wins showcased his potential, his track record includes losses to fighters like Filip Hrgovic and Joseph Parker. However, Zhang’s performance against Parker suggests he’s honing his skills and evolving as a competitor, making him a formidable opponent. Based on his showing against Parker, Zhang appears to have the edge heading into this matchup.

The betting odds further emphasize Zhang’s favoritism in the upcoming bout. DraftKings Sportsbook lists Zhang as a significant favorite with odds of -170 to win the fight, while Wilder is positioned at +125, indicating a higher likelihood of him losing. This alignment with the odds reinforces the perception that Zhang is the frontrunner heading into the match.

Who’s more likely to score a knockout?

Deontay Wilder might not have much going for him in the upcoming fight, but boy does he have the power on his side. Time after time, the Bronze Bomber has ended fights with one shot, and the possibility of that happening with Zhang is slim now, but never zero. Wilder even knocked down Fury on multiple occasions, nearly causing an upset. And the same is reflected in his KO ratio, which sits at an unbelievable 97.67%.

However, Zhang’s power should not be underestimated either. His track record speaks volumes about his punching prowess. Dropping Joseph Parker multiple times, securing back-to-back knockout victories over Joe Joyce, and winning six out of his last ten fights via knockout highlight Zhang’s formidable punching ability. With an impressive 80.77% knockout ratio, Zhang has consistently demonstrated his capability to finish fights emphatically. This power factor adds another layer of complexity to the matchup and underscores Zhang’s potential as a force to be reckoned with in the ring.

Overall, as things stand, Zhilei Zhang looks like the better fighter and likely will come out victorious on fight night. But Wilder is a dangerous wildcard. His devastating right hand can end any fight in an instant. If the old and scary Bronze Bomber steps into the ring on June 1, the Big Bang from China might just have to pack his bags early and head home. So only time will tell what happens when the two heavyweights meet in the ring. With both fighters hungry for redemption, this is a heavyweight clash you don’t want to miss. Who will you be cheering for?