Deontay Wilder vows to recreate iconic Muhammad Ali KO against Zhilei Zhang

31/05/2024 13:06

Deontay Wilder wants to emulate Muhammad Ali’s famous KO over Sonny Liston in 1965.

Wilder is considered the most feared puncher in boxing right now, and is seeking redemption against Zhilei Zhang this Saturday night on the 5 vs 5 card in Riyadh.

The ‘Bronze Bomber’ has inflicted some highlight-reel KOs throughout his career, and he believes he can recreate Ali’s historic moment in a Middle Eastern masterclass this weekend.

He said at the press conference in Riyadh: “He chose me to become captain and it is a great responsibility that I have accepted with open arms.

“I’m looking forward to proving I have still got what it takes, I have still got the juice.

“I’m going to be like Muhammad Ali did against Sonny Liston, I’m going to stand over his body like 65.

“It’s do or die, I am a warrior with a warrior mindset and a warrior mentality.

“I’m willing to die in the ring for what I believe in, and if a man isn’t prepared to step in with me, he better step out.”

A famous image that will be etched in boxing fans’ minds forever, shows Ali stood over the unconscious Liston, after just a single minute of the opening round.

The so-called ‘phantom punch’ wasn’t without controversy as many believed he hadn’t hit Liston cleanly, but it was Ali’s second consecutive win against the heavyweight great.

Wilder has been known to inflict a huge first round KO including against Robert Helenius, who he rendered unconscious in just minutes of their clash in October 2022.

His other most famous first round stoppage came against Benjamin Stiverne who he left ‘asleep’ on the ropes just seconds into their November 2017 tilt.

Zhang is a similarly mean opponent as was Liston in the golden era of boxing for Ali.

Wilder knows his career is at a crossroads at 38-years-old with a lacklustre defeat to Joseph Parker in his last outing in December 2023.

And the American has suggested it will be his final goodbye, if he is unable to take out ‘Big Bang’ in style.

“I’ve had a successful career and this is a do or die moment for me,” Wilder told Seconds Out.

“I don’t think the heavyweight division is exciting without Deontay Wilder in it but come Saturday night we will see.

“Will I prevail? Will I succeed? Who knows? But Saturday night is the true answer and we are going to see.

“This could be the end of the career, this could be the final farewell of Deontay Wilder if I lose.

“If I win, of course, I go on to bigger and better things.”