By: Sean Crose
Perhaps Deontay Wilder’s surprise defeat to gloveman Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia last December was just what the tall Alabaman needed to get his career back on track. In fact, the mood online was essentially that Wilder was considered a top heavyweight after giving the decision to Parker, who Wilder should have beaten. However, boxing is always full of surprises. Because, following the announcement that Wilder will face the popular and hard-hitting Zhilei Zhang on June 1, there is now news that Wilder could also face unbeaten Jared Anderson on August 3.
Zhang, who Wilder will face in Saudi Arabia, like Wilder, recently defeated Joseph Parker. Perhaps surprisingly, however, ESPN reports that Zhang is now the betting favorite over Wilder. This could be because Wilder looked so out of shape when he faced Parker last winter. However, there can be no doubt that Wilder possesses extraordinary strength. Indeed, this man may be the strongest puncher in the history of this sport. On the other hand, Zhang stopped most of his opponents at a distance. At least this should make for an interesting match. It will also be a huge career boost for the winner.
Of course, for Wilder, there is the chance to fight Anderson, a man who has never tasted defeat and has only gone the distance twice. If the former WBC heavyweight champion gets past both fighters, it will be difficult to argue that Wider doesn’t deserve another heavyweight title shot, even though his title was lifted by Tyson Fury a few years ago . Indeed, Fury has beaten Wilder two out of three times (the first fight between the two was a draw). For the amiable Zhang, a win over Wilder would give him a ton of prestige while he tries to climb the upper rungs of the heavyweight ladder. And of course, the same thing happened with Anderson.
Of course, a fight between Wilder and Anderson is not guaranteed. However, Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi Arabian official behind his country’s boxing boom, has publicly expressed that he wants to see Wilder fight Anderson before the summer comes and goes. However, Alalshikh has made it clear that he only wants Wilder to face Anderson “if he is ready to fight then after his fight with Zhilei Zhang on June 1.” With that said, Alalshikh has thus far proven himself to be an individual who can do big things in the fighting game.
