Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder sees his fight with Zhilei Zhang as “must-win” and defeat could lead to potential retirement.
Zhang and Wilder headline the Queensberry v Matchroom 5 vs 5 event on Saturday night, lie on TNT Sports Box Office.
For both fighters it represents something of a comeback. The 41-year-old Zhang lost his last fight, and the WBO interim belt, to Joseph Parker, while Parker also beat Wilder in Saudi Arabia in December 2023.
At 38, Wilder needs to stay busy to avoid being written off, but an impressive win could easily see him land a title fight in 2025, especially if the belts are broken up after Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2.
Speaking to BoxingScene, the Bronze Bomber made it clear he was under no illusions of how difficult his future would be if he did not get the win.
“I would say that. It’s definitely a must-win fight, especially for me, and it sets up everything for the future,” he said.
“If I don’t get the win, ah, we don’t know where we’ll go from here. Retirement could be a very big and serious conversation.
“This is a very important fight for me and in terms of my future.”
After a dispiriting performance against Parker in December, Wilder appears revitalised, and he believes he is back to his old ways.
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“This time around, I’m going to let my hands go,” he added. “I’m in a better position than I was in before. Training has been amazing, and I’m ready to go. I’m looking forward to a great, great fight. And someone’s getting knocked out.”
Jared Anderon, promoted by Bob Arum, is waiting to face Wilder in what could be a passing of the torch for US heavyweights, but the promoter has suggested much of that depends on Wilder getting past Zhang.
Wilder concluded by acknowledging that most of all, he needs to win this Saturday, though he still harbours ambitions to become undisputed.
“Correct,” he said, “But again, I’m not looking past Zhang at all. I’m not even mentioning any other names besides ‘Big Bang’ Zhang.
“This is the ultimate mission that lies at hand and I must accomplish that first before thinking about anyone else. Because if this doesn’t happen, if this doesn’t get accomplished, then there is no August.”
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