Wilder vs Zhang date, start time and how to watch live

Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang is a meeting of two heavyweight boxing giants, both desperate for redemption.

This blockbusting showdown is of course the latest meeting of big men bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s huge investment into the sport and also part of that much-hyped Eddie Hearn vs Frank Warren 5 on 5 card.

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But the June match in Riyadh is in reality about way more than that, it’s a true crossroads fight for two men who are both getting on in years and coming off damaging losses.

READ MORE: Latest heavyweight rankings – who makes the top 10 after Fury vs Usyk?

Last December Wilder, having boxed only one round in the previous two years, looked rusty and out of sorts as he dropped a convincing decision to the rejuvenated Joseph Parker on that ‘Day of Reckoning’ card.

Fast forward to March and Zhang was getting a taste of that same medicine as he too lost on points to Parker, despite putting the Kiwi on the floor twice.

Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker Results Day of Reckoning Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Joseph Parker lands a right hand vs Deontay Wilder en route to his heavyweight victory on that ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Photo – Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing).

Now they both try to atone, against each other. Here is everything you need to know about the big fight.

When is Wilder vs Zhang?

The bout takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday June 1, 2024.

This is part of that Hearn vs Warren show, and it will now TOP the blockbusting card following the news that Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol is OFF. Bivol will instead throw down with Libya’s Malik Zinad.

That means a change to the ring walk times for Wilder vs Zhang, with the fighters expected now to make their way to the ring around 11pm UK time, which is 6pm Eastern Standard Time and 3pm PST on the West Coast.

How to watch live on TV or stream

The Hearn vs Warren show – including Wilder vs Zhang – will stream live on DAZN PPV.

Wilder vs Zhang weights

The official weigh-in took place in Riyadh on Friday May 31, 2024.

These two men are similar in height (Wilder is actually an inch taller at 6ft 7ins) – but there is a massive difference in terms of weight.

Zhang scaled an enormous 282lbs (20st 2lbs) – some 9lbs lighter than for his loss to Parker, while Wilder came in at just 214lbs (15st 4lbs) for his – a pound more than he had been against Parker.

Simply put, there are 68lbs or almost five stones in weight between them.

Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang Press Conference Hearn vs Warren 5 on 5 card London April 2024 Boxing
Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder face off at the press conference to announce their June 1 heavyweight bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Photo – Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing).

Latest odds

The odds are pretty tight as you would expect, between two men both ranked in the top 10 in the heavyweight division.

Zhang just shades it right now as the 4/7 favourite, with Deontay at 7/4. The Draw is a 25/1 shot.

Deontay Wilder record

Deontay Leshun Wilder was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on October 22, 1985 and he is now 38 years old. He has a terrific professional record of 43-3-1. Some 42 of those victories have come by way of knockout – an astonishing percentage.

‘The Bronze Bomber’ – who stands 6ft 7ins tall and has a reach of 83ins – turned pro in 2008 but it wasn’t until 2015 that he was taken the distance. That was the night he became world heavyweight champion with a unanimous verdict over Bermane Stiverne in Brooklyn.

Wilder suffered his first defeat in his rematch vs Tyson Fury in early 2020, and lost again in their epic trilogy match in 2021. He has lost three of his last four bouts, the only win being a one-round KO of Robert Helenius in late 2022.

Zhilei Zhang record

Zhang was born in Zhoukou, China on May 2, 1983 and he is now 40 years of age. He boasts a 26-2-1 pro record with the only defeats being that loss to Parker and a disputed decision to Filip Hrgovic on the Usyk vs Joshua 2 undercard in August 2022. Some 21 of his victories have come by KO.

The big question mark about ‘Big Bang’ is his stamina. He’s been in major trouble in the past in the later rounds of fights (he was out on his feet in a 2021 draw vs Jerry Forrest). That same issue of conditioning later in bouts undoubtedly became a factor in the loss to Parker too.

Zhang really announced himself at boxing’s heavyweight top table in 2023 with two brilliant back-to-back routs of the previously undefeated Brit Joe Joyce. It also gave him the spot as mandatory contender for the WBO heavyweight title currently held by Oleksandr Usyk. A spot he subsequently lost to Parker with that March loss.

Who else is fighting on the card?

Who isn’t, would be the easy answer. It’s an absolutely stellar show, topped of course by that long-awaited light-heavyweight unification match featuring Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol. Two brilliant unbeaten fighters at the peak of their powers.

The supporting cast is headed by another heavyweight blockbuster featuring Filip Hrgovic vs Daniel Dubois – potentially with the IBF world heavyweight title on the line.

If that wasn’t enough we have three other terrific fights on the 5 on 5 card between Hearn and Warren. Headed by a featherweight cracker pitting Raymond Ford (15-0-1) vs Nick Ball (19-0-1).

Warren’s exciting middleweight prospect Hamzah Sheeraz (19-0) will lock horns with Ammo Williams (16-0), while the show is completed by a light-heavyweight cracker featuring Craig Richards (18-3-1) and Willy Hutchinson (17-0).