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Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang tips and predictions: Zhang to end it early
Here’s why our expert backs Zhilei Zhang to beat Deontay Wilder in the opening rounds of Saturday night’s fight
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Our betting expert has two tips for what could be an explosive heavyweight showdown in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night between Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. Scroll down for the analysis behind his selections.
Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang betting tips
- Under 5.5 rounds @ 5/4 with bet365
- Zhilei Zhang to win in rounds 1-6 @ 13/5 with bet365
Odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.
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Go for an early finish between big hitters
Both fighters are on the comeback trail and come into this bout after defeats to the same opponent, former WBO world champion Joseph Parker.
These two fighters have distinct styles and the result could be an early conclusion to proceedings in Riyadh.
Zhang likes to come forward and use his sheer size to put pressure on his opponents, while Wilder is always searching for that fight-ending knockout punch.
The American was unable to land anything of note over 12 rounds with Parker, and he cut a fairly forlorn figure as that bout wore on, but he should find the Chinese fighter a far easier target.
Zhang looked on course to record a convincing win over Parker in his own meeting with the Kiwi as he dominated the opening exchanges and scored a knockdown in the third round.
Parker refused to go down, however, and Zhang’s aggression faded as he eventually ended up on the wrong side of a majority decision.
Both Wilder and Zhang are aggressive fighters and neither is likely to change their approach to suit the other, so the bigger punches will probably come in those opening exchanges – and there is a good chance that one of them will be able to record an early finish.
Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang tip 1: under 5.5 rounds @ 5/4 with bet365
Zhang the more likely victor
Wilder underwhelmed against Parker, but he can never be discounted given his outrageous stoppage record, with 42 of his 43 wins coming inside the distance.
However, Zhang looks the more likely winner here despite his own defeat to Parker, as in the first few rounds of that bout he looked sensational.
Big Bang just kept coming forward and he did manage to score a knockdown against Parker in the third, and again in the eighth.
Parker used movement and his ringcraft to avoid joining Zhang’s own list of KO victims, with 21 of his 26 victories coming via stoppages, but Wilder does not necessarily have those kinds of skills in his arsenal.
Zhang has two defeats on his record but both of those are points losses and he has never really appeared to be hurt, despite sharing the ring with big punchers such as Filip Hrgovic and Joe Joyce. If the 41-year-old is able to land regularly with his reliable jab and then unload a few power shots, Wilder – who has now lost three of his past four fights – could find himself in trouble.
Zhang’s KO rate stands at just under 81 per cent and none of his stoppages have come after the sixth round, so backing the Chinese giant to win in the first half of the fight looks a reasonable play here.
Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang tip 2: Zhilei Zhang to win in rounds 1-6 @ 13/5 with bet365
Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang odds
All odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.
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