Chinese language heavyweight Zhilei Zhang put out the lights of American Deontay Wilder by knocking him out. within the fifth spherical of their conflict on Sunday, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The subsequent rival of Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KOs), 41 years outdated, might properly be the Briton Daniel Dubois, who fought within the semi-final.
It’s simply a very powerful victory of Zhang’s profession, which might properly have ended the profession of the previous heavyweight monarch.
The Chinese language synchronized his counterattack beautifully, going with a proper hook that made Wilder see stars.
His opponent discovering himself susceptible within the middle of the ring, Zhang rushed to knock him out with one other proper, and “ The Bronze Bomber » ended up on the ground.
Wilder confirmed great braveness in getting again to his toes earlier than the depend of 10, however he was unstable sufficient that the official stopped the motion at 1:51.
Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs) scored successful in opposition to the Croatian Filip Hrgovic, forcing a stoppage from the referee through the eighth assault.
Bivol dominate the substitute of Beterbiev
Earlier within the night, Russian boxer Dmitry Bivol signed a twenty third victory in as many outings, and he did it with panache, dominating by knockout. approach the Libyan Malik Zinad.
Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) had not triumphed earlier than the restrict since his success in March 2018 in opposition to Sullivan Barrera, that’s to say in 9 outings within the enviornment.
He thus retained his WBA and IBO mild heavyweight division belts.
Usually, adopted Montrealer Artur Beterbiev ought to have been Bivol’s opponent, however Beterbiev suffered a torn meniscus in coaching, and the postponement of the battle was introduced on Might 3.
Zinad (22-1, 16 KOs), who suffered a primary setback amongst professionals, managed to supply respectable opposition to Bivol after falling to the mat within the first engagement
First defeat for Ford
Nick « Wrecking » Ball dethroned WBA featherweight champion Ray “Savage” Ford by a twelve-round cut up resolution at featherweight.
Ball (20-0-1, 11 KOs) imposed a primary profession defeat on Ford (15-1-1, 8 KOs).
Ball led the motion and outworked Ford for the primary half of the battle. Ford, nonetheless, managed to inflict a damaged nostril on Ball within the seventh spherical and had the higher hand all through the sequence. Ultimately, nonetheless, the judges handed out playing cards of 115-113 for Ford and 115-113, 115-113 for Ball.
