Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang have something in common and that is they’re both coming off defeats by Joseph Parker. It also means that both men desperately need to win when they face each other in Riyadh this weekend.
That is sure to make for an interesting fight with careers on the line in the sweltering Saudi capital city. The bout is part of the 5v5 event between Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom.
There’s so much money involved that not only are the promoters finally working together but Wilder is happy to be part of Hearn’s team despite years of hatred between the pair.
READ MORE: Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn brought together by Saudi Arabia influence for unique event
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What UK time is Zhang v Wilder?
The bout is the the top of the bill in Saudi Arabia which means it is due to start at around 12am BST. The first fight of the night is at 7.15pm, with TV coverage in the UK starting at 7pm BST. But there is also a WBA light-heavyweight clash between Dmitry Bivol and Malik Zinad which is not part of the 5v5 event and broadcasters are also wary of too many bouts clashing with the Champions League final.
(Image: ©Mark Robinson Photography/Matchroom)
How to watch Zhang v Wilder in the UK
You can watch ‘5 vs 5: Queensberry vs Matchroom’ live from Riyadh on DAZN PPV for £21.99, which includes a free one month subscription. Sign up here.
The event is also live on TNT Sports Box Office from 7pm BST.
What they’ve said:
Wilder: “I would say that. It’s definitely a must-win fight, especially for me, and it sets up everything for the future,” Wilder begins.
“If I don’t get the win, ah, we don’t know where we’ll go from here. Retirement could be a very big and serious conversation.
“This is a very important fight for me and in terms of my future.”
(Image: ©Mark Robinson Photography/Matchroom)
Zhang: “I know he’s coming to beat me, I know he’s coming to try to win and he has something to prove. So do I. Saturday night’s going to be fantastic.
“He didn’t look so good in that fight. I don’t know what he’s been through personally in his training camp but I know this fight he’s prepared. I think he’s coming, trying to win.”
How 5v5 works
This is the first event of its kind. Both Warren and Hearn have picked five fighters in different weight classes to face each other.
They have also selected one captain each for their Queensberry and Matchroom teams. The points are distributed as follows:
Win on the scorecards: 1 point
Win by knockout: 2 points
Draw: 0 points
Captain: Points double
(Image: ©Mark Robinson Photography/Matchroom)
The fights
Queensberry v Matchroom
Zhilei Zhang v Deontay Wilder (Captain)
Daniel Dubois v Filip Hrgovic
Nick Ball v Raymond Ford (WBA featherweight title)
Hamzah Sheeraz (Captain) v Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams
Willy Hutchinson v Craig ‘Spider’ Richards