Zhilei Zhang Says He And Deontay Wilder Have Something To Prove

Zhilei Zhang says he and Deontay Wilder have something to prove on Saturday.

Zhang and Wilder are set to box on the 5 v 5 event on Saturday in a pivotal fight for both of their careers. They both are coming off losses to Joseph Parker, and if either are going to get back into the title conversation they will need to win on Saturday.

“I know he’s [Wilder} coming to beat me. I know he’s coming to try to win and has something to prove. So do I. Saturday night’s going to be fantastic,” Zhang said, via BoxingScene. “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 for. I think he’s coming, trying to win.”

Although Wilder has said he no longer feels like he is at his best, Zhang thinks that isn’t the case. Instead, the Chinese heavyweight thinks Wilder is still dangerous and isn’t overlooking him at all.

“He is still the dangerous Deontay Wilder from a few years ago; at least, I look at him that way,” said Zhang. “But he wants to make his comeback and wants to return. I won’t give him the opportunity.”

Zhilei Zhang enters the bout with a 26-2-1 record and before the loss to Parker, he beat Joe Joyce in back-to-back fights. Zhang is currenlty a slight -150 favorite over Wilder on Saturday.