George Groves predicts a one-sided contest in Riyadh
Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder are set to face each other on June 1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The two heavyweight titans have been linked to a showdown over the past few weeks, however, they are now set to lock horns in an action-packed night in the Middle East.
The bout will form part of the Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev undercard. Alongside the heavyweight clash, Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren are pitting their best men against each other in a Matchroom vs Queensberry five vs five contest.
Speculating on the upcoming clash, former super-middleweight world Champion, George Groves, feels like one man will be a heavy favourite on the night.
“Zhang came in really heavy against Parker and just ran out of steam,” Groves stated in an interview with Betway.
“Maybe he [Wilder] will bide his time and try to chin him late, but I think Zhang wins. The problem for Wilder is, once you’ve had a big payday you start to see the softer side of life. And when you start earning really good money, the fight leaves you.
“In the gym, Wilder always looks really good, but he can let you down. On fight night he sometimes doesn’t perform and he looks like a novice.”
If Groves’ words ring true, Zhang will catapult himself right back to the top of the division. Wilder may not be the fighter he used to be, but with earth-shaking power, he is a danger to any man standing across from him.
Both men are coming off of the back of a defeat to Joseph Parker. The Kiwi faced Zhang in March in a closely fought decision seeing Parker down twice. However, the 32-year-old boxed well, clawing back enough rounds to walk away with the win.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ faced a similar fate in December, though perhaps more one-sided than March’s clash. Wilder appeared slow in the ring, struggling to land on a rejuvenated Parker, who took him the distance, winning in dominant fashion.
The June 1 card is set to be broadcast on both DAZN and TNT.