Wilder turned his back, went down heavily and narrowly beat the count before being rescued on his feet but out of his head; it was an awful end to an extraordinary career in round five against Zhilei Zhang.
The heavyweight fight was the last in the first edition of the 5v5 concept and it meant that Frank Warren's team beat Eddie Hearn's team 5-0 in fights and 10-0 in points; it had been hard six hours earlier to predict a final result. The format was always going to take a toll on any boxer willing to play a part in it - it worked because both promoters and all 10 boxers were prepared to take risks and accept 50-50 fights; the money available was a factor, but men have refused dangerous fights before when there has been a substantial cash offer available.
The boxers in the 5v5 all knew the risks of defeat and agreed to fight. Wilder was Saturday night's biggest victim, a giant of the ring exposed for the last time. That is, trust me, never an easy sight. Wilder was the heavyweight world champion for three years and one month, making 10 defences. His right hand knocked out 42 of the 43 men he beat. Wilder's numbers will forever be impressive and now, sadly, the timing and reflexes have gone and at 38 it is the end.
This story is from the June 03, 2024 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the June 03, 2024 edition of The Independent.
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