Deontay Wilder admits his career is on the line when he faces Zhilei Zhang in Saudi Arabia.
Wilder meets Zhang in a crossroads heavyweight clash on the Queensberry vs Matchroom 5v5 card in Riyadh on Saturday, with both men looking to bounce back from respective defeats to Joseph Parker.
’The Bronze Bomber’ saw a lucrative and long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua go up in smoke after losing to Parker in December and should the Alabama man suffer a second straight defeat, he concedes his outing with Zhang will likely be the final chapter of what will be a 48-fight career come Saturday.
“I’ve had a successful career,” the 38-year-old told Seconds Out.
“This is a do or die moment for me.
“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’re gonna see.
“This could be the end of the career.
“This could be the final goodbye, the farewell of Deontay Wilder, if I lose.
“If I win I prevail of course, I go onto bigger and better things.”
Zhang, 41, suffered just a second professional defeat, losing on a majority decision to Parker, having dropped the New Zealander twice.
Wilder has lost three of his last four fights, including twice to Tyson Fury, who relieved him of his WBC title following 10 successful defences.
Fury is set to rematch undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk on December 21 in Saudi Arabia, after losing to the Ukrainian on points earlier this month.
Wilder, who captain’s Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable this Saturday, insists he still has ambitions of becoming a two-time world champion.
“I want to have the fights I haven’t fought before,” he added.
“Of course I’m in this business still to gain titles.
“I want my name on the list of a unified champion, that’s what I want the most.”
View this post on Instagram
