Deontay Wilder joins Matchroom Boxing, set to face Zhilei Zhang in Saudi Arabia

American heavyweight Deontay Wilder has made headlines by signing with Matchroom Boxing and is set to take on Zhilei Zhang in a highly anticipated bout. This clash is part of a stacked five-versus-five card presented by Queensberry Promotions and is scheduled to take place on June 1st in Saudi Arabia.

The announcement of Wilder’s collaboration with promoter Eddie Hearn took the sporting world by surprise. Matchroom and Queensberry orchestrated a grand unveiling of their fighters at a news conference in London, with the 10 fighters initially donning white masks before being revealed one by one.

The event promises a series of high-stakes matchups, including heavyweight Daniel Dubois facing Filip Hrgovic in a world-title final eliminator in Riyadh and Liverpool featherweight Nick Ball challenging WBA world champion Raymond Ford. Additionally, an exciting middleweight contest between unbeaten Londoner Hamzah Sheeraz and American Austin’  Ammo’ Williams, along with an all-British cruiserweight bout between Willy Hutchinson and Craig Richards, round out the action-packed lineup.

Wilder’s dramatic unmasking concluded the event, as he passionately exclaimed his trademark ‘Bomb Squad’ slogan, while a jubilant Hearn pumped his fist in celebration. Wilder expressed his surprise at the collaboration, stating, “Nobody ever thought Eddie and I would be working together. This is the ultimate surprise.” Hearn echoed this sentiment, proclaiming, “For one night only, we work together.”

Speaking later on, Wilder revealed that he was very optimistic that a fight would be held between him and former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. The two had plans to meet in April this year, on condition that they both won their December fixtures. But Wilder’s loss meant that it no longer happened. Still, he has not given that dream up. 

He said: “People are always going to want to see that fight no matter what. I put it in the high 90s. I always said it before, it will be a shame if we never fought. 

“It only takes that one fight, that one night. June 1st is going to be that night, that one fight. ‘Deontay Wilder knocks Zhang’s head off’ and the world goes crazy. And there we go again, Wilder versus Joshua. They want it.”

Leon Osamor