Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang are in the final moments of agreeing a deal to fight on June 1. 

According to reports, the bout will serve as a co-main event attraction on the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol card. Beterbiev and Bivol fight for the right to become the world’s Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. It is a huge stage for both men, given their recent results.

Wilder suffered a one-sided unanimous decision loss against Joseph Parker. The defeat was all the more problematic as it ended hopes of the Anthony Joshua fight. Before Wilder faced Parker, the Bronze Bomber had signed a two-fight deal to face Joshua. This was on the condition that they came through their next fight. Joshua stopped Otto Wallin, but Wilder could not hold up his end of the bargain. The result left question marks over whether Wilder would retire. 

Wilder vs Parker

“We’ll see what happens, we still have a little bit left, but I did a great job managing my money. I’m a happy fighter. I’ll be back, and if not, then it’s been a pleasure. I don’t know [if I still have the same fire I used to], a lot has calmed me down. I’ve been wearing this smile all week long and I’mma still wear it. Nothing can stop me on that,” Wilder said 

Meanwhile, Zhang is also coming off a defeat to Parker. The Chinese suffered a majority decision loss. While he may have dropped Parker twice, his pace slowed down dramatically, allowing Parker to get the decision.

The loss meant Zhang no longer held the WBO Heavyweight Interim Title. As such, he was no longer in the mandatory position to face the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk. Fury and Usyk fight for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship on May 18. There were suggestions that Parker and Zhang could have a rematch.

Zhang vs Parker

“I think Zhilei wants the rematch. From my perspective, if you take a step back and look at the big picture, what is going on now in the heavyweight division is really exciting. It is reminiscent of eras past when there were a number of top, high-profile, world-class big men who kept fighting each other to the benefit of boxing fans.

“Styles make fights, and it is very nuanced. Zhang beats Joyce, who lost to Parker? Surely Zhang beats Parker, right? Wrong. A beats B, B beats C, then A beats C? Not in boxing. It’s more of a game of Paper, Rock, Scissors where each beats one and loses the other. Having said that, Zhilei can make the adjustments, win more rounds and go on to other things,” Terry Lane Zhang’s co-manager stated

Wilder vs Zhang

The Chinese was not pleased with the result, given that he had dropped Parker on two occasions. While that may have been the case, it appears the rematch will not happen or will take place later.

“Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang are in the process of finalizing a deal for a June 1 fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, sources told ESPN. The heavyweight bout will take place on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol undisputed title fight. Two monster punchers,” Mike Coppinger revealed

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