Despite his lackluster performance against Joseph Parker on December 23, Zhang Zhilei still considers Deontay Wilder a dangerous fighter.
Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KOs) will face Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs) on June 1 in a bout that will be the highlight of the 5-on-5 tournament between Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry. The bout will serve as the undercard for the WBA light heavyweight title defense between Dmitry Bivol and Malik Zinad in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Like Wilder, Zhang returned after a loss to Joseph Parker. On March 8, Zhang lost by majority decision and as a result lost his WBO mandatory challenger status.
Arriving in Saudi Arabia ahead of this weekend's fight, Wilder regretted his nearly two-year absence from the ring prior to his loss to Parker late last year.
The Chinese fighter previewed Saturday's bout with Wilder in an interview with Fighthub TV, with Zhang saying both he and the American fighter have a point to prove after their respective losses to Parker, the former WBO heavyweight world champion.
“I know he's coming to beat me. He's coming to win and he's coming to prove something. So am I. Saturday night's going to be fantastic,” Zhang said.[Wilder}comingtobeatmeIknowhe’scomingtotrytowinandhassomethingtoproveSodoISaturdaynight’sgoingtobefantastic”Zhangsaid
“Wilder wasn't in great shape in that fight,” Zhang said when asked about Wilder's performance against J. Parker. “I don't know what he's done personally in training camp, but I know he's been preparing for this fight and I think he's going in there looking to win.”
Following his loss to Parker, Wilder endured criticism that he was past his prime, but Chang still believes Wilder is a significant threat.
“He's still the dangerous Deontay Wilder he was a few years ago, at least that's how I see it,” Chang said, “but he wants to come back, he wants to come back. I'm not going to give him that opportunity.”
