#春日生活打卡季#
On April 16, 2024, Beijing time, the 5v5 series jointly organized by Queensberry Boxing Promotion Company (Queensberry and Matchroom boxing), two of the most powerful event promotion companies in professional boxing today, officially held an official announcement press conference in London, England. The series will take place on June 1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In the series, former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder will face Chinese fighter Zhang Zhilei as part of the Arena Boxing Promotion Company.
For Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Deonta Wilder can be said to be very familiar. On December 23 last year, Deonta Wild took on former WBO Heavyweight World Champion Joseph Parker for a 12-round bout here, in which Deonta Wild didn't continue the momentum of knockout wins in the past. After 12 rounds, Deonta Wild lost by decision to Joseph Parker. And after this loss, Deonta Wild missed the opportunity to play against Anthony Joshua.
However, Deonta Wild is not without chances. A victory over Zhang in June would help Deonta Wilder return to the top of the heavyweight division and regain his chance at fighting Anthony Joshua. It is even possible to go and challenge the winner of the Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk matches.
For the upcoming match, Deonta Wilde looks confident. At the press conference, Deonta Wild told the media that his love for the sport had been rekindled and vowed to show that he was still the strongest heavy striker in the history of the professional boxing heavyweight division.
Deonta Wild's coach, Malik Scott, also reiterated Deonta Wild's statement in an interview. Malik Scott said he and Deonta Wild were both ashamed of their performance against Joseph Parker last year. But for this bout, Scott assured Deonta Wild that he could knock out Zhang Zhilei in the bout, rekindling fan interest in his fight against Anthony Joshua.
Speaking to BBC television, Deonta Wild told reporters that it would be a shame if he couldn't play Anthony Joshua before retiring.
"I've said that before, and it would be a shame if we never played against each other by the time we retired. Now it only takes one game, one night, for my fight with Anthony Joshua to become a reality. And June 1st was that night, and the duel between me and Zhang Zhilei was that game. Believe me, Deonta Wild will knock out Zhang Zhilei and the whole world will go crazy about it. Then, we will witness, Deonta Wilde against Anthony Joshua. It's exactly what fans want. Deonta Wild stressed to reporters.
Of course, the last loss to Joseph Parker was a topic of conversation in the interview, and looking back on the loss, Deonta Wild insisted that she was a better fighter than her opponent Joseph Parker, but that he was a little better that night.
"I don't deny that I didn't play well against Joseph Parker, that monster that can easily knock out opponents doesn't exist. The match with Joseph Parker became boring, and in the end Joseph Parker won a boring match. That's how I feel about that game. Joseph Parker was definitely no better than Deonta Wilder, he was just the better performer that night. Deonta Wilde was still very unhappy about that game.