Daniel Hill’s selections for Saturday night’s big heavyweight battle include an early victory for the betting favourite.
There is a big-hitting heavyweight clash between Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night and the contest is part of the Matchroom v Queensbury card.
Wilder is in action for Eddie Hearn’s stable, but more importantly the Bronze Bomber needs to get his career back on track after a dismal performance in defeat to Joseph Parker in December.
Zhang also arrives at the Kingdom Arena following a defeat to Parker and the Queensbury puncher will be looking to return to the level of form that saw Big Bang twice beat Joe Joyce.
Selections
Under 7.5 rounds
8/11
Zhang to win in rounds 1-3
7/1
Big-hitting clash set for early finish
Wilder and Zhang will enter the ring at the Kingdom Arena on Saturday night looking to get their careers back on track and that could lead to an explosive contest.
Zhang is in the latter stages of his career at the age of 41 and the Chinese puncher was downed by Parker in Saudi Arabia just two months ago. However, Big Bang went into the contest with the New Zealander after two of the best performances of his career when twice beating Joyce and it’s worth remembering that the Zhoukou-born fighter had Parker down twice in that heavyweight contest.
The form line with the Kiwi is relevant, given Wilder was dominated by the former world champion in December and that followed two defeats against Tyson Fury for the Alabama man.
The trilogy of bouts against Fury were grueling affairs, and considering the Gypsy King hasn’t been at his peak since the latest of that trio of bouts against the Bronze Bomber, it appears that they may have also left their mark on Wilder.
The 38-year-old has also moved past his peak in the sport, although there is no doubt that the Alabama slammer’s punching power will still pose a massive threat to Zhang.
Big Bang looks the right favourite for this contest, but backing under 7.5 rounds looks to offer the better value punt.
It’s unlikely that the two boxers have the conditioning, hunger or physical capabilities for a drawn-out battle at this stage of their careers and Saturday’s clash could just be a case of who hits who first.
Zhang the one to side with for early fireworks
At 7/1, it could also pay to have a small wager on Zhang to win in rounds 1-3. Big Bang is the older boxer, but he is the fresher fighter and the Chinese star certainly has the stronger recent form.
Wilder doesn’t have the skills to box and move his way out of Big Bang’s path and a stationary target is perfect for Zhang’s style.
The Bronze Bomber was left battered and bruised three times by Fury, while he was pummeled by Parker in a punishing defeat last time out and the resistance of the American may have faded.
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